UC Clermont welcomes new soccer coaches

Avery Patton, who also coaches for Cincinnati Soccer Club and previously for Shawnee State University and at the middle and high school levels, will lead the men’s soccer team.

Patton went through professional soccer trials in Malta and played at Shawnee State, where he graduated with his bachelor’s degree in 2017. He said sharing his passion for soccer and fostering a love for the sport in others is what compels him to coach.

“Soccer is my life,” Patton said. “Being able to share that knowledge and love with my players is everything I could ask for.”

The fresh start offered at UC Clermont, which has not had a men’s program in two years, particularly appealed to him. Patton said building a culture of commitment, respect and passion will be his team’s first step toward achieving their goals.

“It felt like there was a need for a new direction, and I relish that challenge,” said Patton. “Establishing a strong culture will be the foundation that leads to success on the pitch.”  

For the UC Clermont women’s program, Kemar Jackson has been named head coach. Jackson has coached youth soccer for 15 years and is currently assistant director of Cup North Girls U11-U14.

Jackson also serves as volunteer assistant coach with Mount Vernon Nazarene University men’s soccer team, where as a former player he was twice named both captain and all-American. As a young boy, Jackson was called up to the Jamaica national youth program on multiple occasions and played at Harbor View FC, the top club in Jamaica.

As coach of the Lady Cougars, Jackson said he will aim to create a welcoming environment for players that is supportive of their academic and athletic journeys. The team won the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Division II national championship in 2018 and 2019.

“My ultimate soccer goal is to bring a diverse group of players together, and while promoting individuality and creativity, form a team that plays a cohesive and attractive type of soccer,” Jackson said. “This will help UCC continue its strong tradition of winning championships.”

Jackson is adamant that his role as a coach stretches beyond garnering wins, though, and said he wants the women’s program to be a “shining light for UCC and the community.”

“I always say I do not just coach soccer,” said Jackson. “I try to instill good principles and values in my players that I hope will help guide them through life. As a coach I am an educator, and it gives me the opportunity to help nurture and foster growth athletically, academically and personally.”

Learn more about the UC Clermont men’s and women’s soccer programs at https://ucclermont.edu/athletics.html.

UC Clermont Athletics includes women’s volleyball, men's and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball. The UC Clermont Cougars participate in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). The Cougars have been successful in bringing home national championship titles in baseball, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, and women’s soccer.

Featured image at top, from left: UC Clermont men’s soccer coach Avery Patton and women’s soccer coach Kemar Jackson. Photo/Danny Kidd/University of Cincinnati.