Staff Directory
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
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Bringing an extensive background on the club and collegiate levels, assistant coach Sarah Strickland enters her second season on the Bulldog coaching staff and fourth year of collegiate coaching after joining the Mississippi State soccer staff last February.
Strickland's extensive background at the club level helped Mississippi State land one of its most-heralded recruiting classes in school history.
In addition to coordinating Mississippi State's recruiting activities, the Fairfax, Va., native also assists with on-field instruction and day-to-day operations of the program. She also assists with scouting and the administration of the program's annual summer camp slate.
"We are excited to have Sarah as a part of the Bulldog family," Macdonald said. "She is going to bring numerous qualities to the soccer program here at Mississippi State.
"Sarah has an infectious enthusiasm, and she will be a tremendous role model for our players," Macdonald added. "She coordinates our recruiting activities, and she is invaluable in that area due to her experience at the club and college soccer levels."
Strickland comes to Starkville very respected in the coaching community with stellar credentials on the collegiate, club and national levels.
Prior to making the move to Starkville, Strickland served a two-year stint as the staff director for the Birmingham United Soccer Association which has produced a number of Bulldog players.
During that two-year stay, Strickland organized showcases and summer tours for the numerous United squads. She also coached several elite competitive club squads to outstanding success at the regional and national levels.
Strickland joined Birmingham United after a successful tenure with the American Soccer Club in which she served as the Girls' Director of Coaching.
Before venturing northward to Birmingham, Strickland resided in Alabama's capital city and helped bring regional notoriety to the Montgomery YMCA Capital City Streaks over a four-year span as the program's Director of Coaching.
Strickland moved to Montgomery to join the staff at Auburn University at Montgomery where she assisted the Senators' men's and women's programs for two seasons.
Strickland received her master's degree in sport management from Troy University following a stellar career at George Mason, her hometown school where she lettered from 1995-1997 and earned the Colonial Athletic Association Commissioner's Academic Award each of those seasons.
Strickland earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the Fairfax, Va.,-based institution.
As a player at GMU, the former Sarah Churchill helped the Lady Patriots to a 14-7-2 record in 1996 that included an undefeated conference record and culminated in an NCAA Tournament berth.
She closed her collegiate playing career on a high note the following year as George Mason finished 14-6-4 and 7-1-0 in the CAA to earn a second-straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. There, the Lady Patriots advanced through the opening rounds to earn a spot in the "Sweet 16."
Strickland is a United States Soccer Federation "B" licensed coach. She has earned the honor of serving on the Region I Olympic Development Program and the United States National Team coaching staffs.
Strickland is married to Jimmy Strickland, who is an assistant athletic trainer at Mississippi State They have three children, Kelsey, Bo, and Will.
Playing Experience
- Played three seasons at George Mason University (1995-97)
- Helped lead GMU to NCAA appearances in both 1996 and 1997
Coaching Experience
- 1998-99: Assistant Coach, Troy University
- 1999: Interim Head Coach, Troy University
- 1999-2000: Assistant Coach (Men's and Women's), Auburn University at Montgomery
- 2000-04: Director of Coaching, Montgomery YMCA Capital City Streaks
- 2004-06: Girls' Director of Coaching, American Soccer Club
- 2006-07: Staff Director, Birmingham United Soccer Association
- 2008-present: Assistant Coach, Mississippi State University
