information provided by South Suburban College
SOUTH HOLLAND, Ill. (February 22, 2023) – The South Suburban College women’s soccer team was honored by the SSC Board of Trustees for receiving the regional title from the National Junior College Athletic Association.
The team, coached by Jose Gonzalez, finished the season with an overall record of 13 wins, five loses and one tie.
“I want to thank everyone here for all the administrative support to make something like this happen. It takes a lot as we want to ensure we run a program where students can evolve to be productive citizens. The young ladies on my team are community members, and some are children of SSC graduates,” said Coach Gonzalez.
Gonzalez, dean at Thornwood High School and voted District Coach of the Year in the last two seasons, has had two Regional Players of the Year, two All-American players, and two Academic All-Americans. SSC student Amaris Gonzalez was named the United Soccer Coaches Association Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year. In addition, he has recently had two players commit to play for four-year institutions, one for Indiana University Northwest and Purdue University.
During the evening board celebration, the SSC Board of Trustees acknowledged the accomplishments of Coach Gonzalez and the entire athletic division at SSC. In an emotional statement, SSC Trustee Joseph Whittington congratulated Coach Gonzalez saying, “I watched him grow, and I want to let you know you have a great future. Thank you from the SSC Board of Trustees and the local community.”
Later in the evening, Dr. Deborah Baness King, the SSC Vice-President of Student & Enrollment Services /Title IX Coordinator, announced that the SSC athletic division accomplished a historic feat, as all its sports teams have at some point won a regional championship.
SSC Chairman Terry Wells continued his sentiments of the historic feat by saying the soccer team joins other successful SSC sports teams, such as the men’s basketball and the men’s baseball teams, in successful runs.
“We are really the school of champions, and it was confirmed tonight. Excellent job!” he said.
Local students interested in participating in the SSC Women’s Soccer program can contact Coach Jose Gonzalez at 708-596-2000 ext. 2002 or via email at [email protected]. South Suburban College’s main campus is located at 15800 South State Street in South Holland.
