Aaron Champenoy , Head Men's Soccer Coach

2006 MCAC Coach of the Year
Career Record (2003 – pres.):
60 – 36 – 4
Conference titles: 5
National Honors Received by players
(2003 – pres.): 63

Office: 713-831-7212
Cell: 713-851-9193
Fax: 713-525-3514
Email: champea@stthom.edu

Champenoy brings 14 years of coaching experience to UST. “UST is a great institution with all the tools to be a consistent national power.” “Houston is an ideal location to continue to build this new program, there is a wealth of soccer talent in this city and I plan on tapping into that talent early and often.” “My goal is to use this position to help mold student athletes that will succeed on the field, in the classroom and eventually in society.”

In 2007 Aaron Champenoy and a group of 18 dynamic young men began a new tradition of excellence at the University of St. Thomas. The first year Celts Men’s Soccer Team got off to a great start. After completing the first season in 2007, the UST men’s soccer team finished with a record of 6 – 9 – 1, with 6 of 9 losses by one goal. Big wins during the season included the season opener 1-0 vs. Our Lady of the Lake University. UST also defeated the eventual Red River Champions, UT-Brownsville by the score of 3-2. “We were a very young team including 13 freshmen 9 of whom were starters. “I was very pleased with this young group and how far they came in the first season. We really came together as a team and a family in a very short amount of time. Even though we came up short in a few matches, we proved that we had the talent to play with some of the top teams in the region. No opponent will be able to overlook us and we will build from this young nucleus.” As this young program continues to grow and mature, the future goals are simple: do everything to the highest standard whether it is in the class room, in our community, or on the field. To out work everyone, and to improve every day is the only way forward. “If we can do that I feel that we are a program that will make some noise and other teams in this region and nationally will have to look out for the Celts.”

The 2008 season took to the Celts to a new level. After returning a young group of athletes and the addition of some very talented young men, UST improved to record of 8-8. The Celts finished the season as the #2 seed in the A.I.I. conference tournament and their first post season birth. During the season UST showed how much improvement had occurred with a win over at the time #12 nationally ranked William Carey out of Mississippi. The Celts also challenged Oklahoma City, but came up just short in 0-1 loss on the road to the eventual #1 seed of the NAIA national tournament. In 2008, UST placed 4 player on the All A.I.I. conference team including 2 on the First Team and 1 player making the All-Tournament Team. “The team has shown a tremendous amount of growth in a short amount of time and we have only begun to tap into the potential of this squad. We still were a very young team and will not lose a single player to graduation. We will also finally have some seniority and upper class leadership with 2 returning seniors for next year and a large junior class.” 

In four seasons at Bellevue University in Nebraska, Champenoy led the Bruins to four consecutive appearances in the MCAC and Region IV tournaments. In those four seasons the Bruins placed 26 players on the MCAC All-Conference teams (4 player of the year winners), 9 players to the Region IV team, and 9 more with All American honors. The 2005 and 2006 Bruins team finished with a two year record of 33-9-0, 2005 national ranking of #17, and back to back MCAC tournament championships (Giving the Bruins 4 MCAC titles in 6 years).

Champenoy, a 2003 Bellevue University graduate, finished his playing career as a 2 time MCAC First Team player and a 3 time All-Nebraska College first team selection. In 2001, his final season as a player, Champenoy added an All-Region IV First Team award and received All-American Honors to round out his resume. Champenoy was also the first Men’s Soccer Player to be named the Bellevue University Athlete of the year for 2001-2002.

Coach Champenoy has completed a certificate of coaching from the English FA. He also holds a NSCAA High School Coaching Special Topics certification, as well as the NSCAA National and Advanced National Diploma, both with Distinction. Coach Champenoy was also active with the Nebraska Olympic Development Program where he was a Head Coach for 4 years. A native of Omaha, NE, Champenoy lives with his three year old daughter, Aleta. Champenoy have been involved in coaching youth soccer throughout the country.