As much as teamwork is a central part of Steve Simmons[apos] philosophy, that[apos]s reflected on the sideline as well. With the departure of three-year right hand man Ian Clerihew to St. John[apos]s University, Simmons is leaning a little more on graduate assistant coach Chase Brooks and volunteer Kylie Stannard when it comes to NIU sideline teamwork.
Stannard, who has a USSF National [quote]A[quote] Coaching License, came to NIU after four letterwinning NCAA campaigns with Creighton University. The Bluejays[apos] records and final rankings were as follows: 17-5-2 (third in the final poll) during a 1996 Final Four appearance; 16-5-1 (15th) for a second-round NCAA showing; 16-4-2 (7th) with an Elite Eight effort; and 11-5-2 (25th) during his senior year when CU was once ranked No. 1 prior to his fourth straight NCAA tourney.
His five-year stint with Nebraska FC -- which included three state titles and two runner-up finishes -- saw him start as an assistant coach from 2001-03 before being elevated to head coach until June of 2005. From 2003-04, he doubled as co-director of the organization. Currently part of the Campton United SC coaching staff, he directs the U-13 boys.
A native of Cedar Rapids, IA, the First-Team All-State, All-Metro, All-Distict standout for Washington High was the MVP of the 1995 Iowa ODP State Championship. Stannard, who earned accountancy and finance degrees from Creighton, has begun work at NIU on a master[apos]s in sports management.
