WSA is excited to announce the hiring of Michael Wilson to the club's full-time Youth Academy Director postion for the 2017-18 season.  Read more about this exciting hire for WSA Soccer.... 

    MICHAEL WILSON TO JOIN WSA AS FULL TIME YOUTH ACADEMY DIRECTOR

                  WSA is pleased to announce Michael Wilson has rejoined The Side!  Wilson last spent the 2013-2014 seasons with WSA Soccer as a staff coach.   Michael is well-known in the local soccer community having coached collegiately at NCAA powerhouse Northeastern State University. Following his success at NSU in Tahlequah, Michael led Glenpool High School girls to an unbeaten season and their first ever state championship in 2014

          Prior to arriving at WSA, Michael Wilson served as Director of Soccer at Waldorf University where he coached the Men's and Women's soccer programs to numerous records.  Wilson graduated from NSU in 2011 with a Bachelors of Science degree in health and human performance.  He went on to receive a Masters of Science degree in health and kinesiology in 2013 and a Master of Education degree in school administration from NSU in 2015. 

          Michael grew up playinig soccer for Elgin City FC in Scotland before moving to Oklahoma and playing for Northern Oklahoma College and Northeastern State University.  During his time he achieved all-conference (2009 & 2011), all-region (2009 & 2011) and Academic All-American honors. Folloing college Michael went on to captain the Tulsa Athletics to an undefeated regular season.            

          "Success doesn't follow Michael, Michael uncovers it, everywhere he goes," reports WSA Executive Director, Roger Bush.  "We are thrilled to add Michael to our coaching staff, our soccer community and family, and excited for him to transition to a postion that has been served diligently and wonderfully by Brobs (Barry Roberts) the past 5 years."  
 
            Barry Roberts will transition out of the Academy Director role to transition into a lead role as the Post-Academy Boys Coordinator for u11/u12.  Barry will continue in his other Director of Coaching responsiblities for WSA.  "Barry has, is, and will continue to be an integral part of our day to day ops.  He's been outstanding in the Academy Director position, and will be outstanding in his new position.  The opportunity for synergy between Michael and Barry is tremendous in both their new roles for the transition medium from Youth Academy to Competitive.  We believe this to be an innovative move in leadership structure for our program." 

            Wilson's position with WSA Soccer became effective immediately.  He has already staged meetings with several club leaders and directors as he lays plans for putting his thumbprint on The Side's Youth Academy program.  

            "I am delighted to be back in Tulsa and working with WSA again. I believe in the club's philosophy and goal of providing the best learning environment for youth soccer players.  I will be working extremely hard to improve the Youth Academy, and the WSA Club, as I am very passionate about developing players," reported Wilson.   "I'd like to thank WSA for bringing me back to Tulsa and giving me this exciting opportunity." 

            Michael Wilson will serve as "full-time" Academy Director, adding to a growing list of WSA positions that are "full-time".  This new movement by WSA Soccer club in hiring more full-time staff will professionalize the culture and programming for WSA, and ultimately provide a better service to the WSA members.

            WSA Executive Business Director, Ryan Bush, reports, “We are excited to bring Wilson back to the Tulsa Area. He’s passionate, driven and most importantly has a heart to impact kids. As a club we have a vision for how academy style training needs to be done to adapt to the modern game. We believe Wilson is the perfect person to blend high level training, personal development and fun to produce a more holistic approach to the game at the youngest levels. Wilson as a young coach has an impressive history of turning around several programs and implementing culture. We have no doubts that this move will help change the culture of academy style training for young players across the Tulsa Metro area."

              More information will be released shortly about new plans and vision with regards to The Side's Youth Academy with registration information for player's interested in joining available in the coming days.

              It continues to be an exciting time to be a part of WSA Soccer!