Sibilski Named Full Time Assistant Athletic Director and Head Soccer Coach
LANSING, Mich- Great Lakes Christian College and Great Lakes Christian College Athletics is pleased to announce Sam Sibilski as the schools first full time coach. Coach Sibilski will lead both the Men's and Women's Soccer programs. The need for a men's soccer coach arose after Coach Ian Kurth resigned his position at the end of the season due to other professional commitments. Sibilski immediately stuck out after his tremendous work with the women's program. In his first season leading the Lady Crusaders he led them to 3-2-2 record including unbeaten in their final five games of the year. His efforts led the women's program to finish the season ranked third in the NCCAA power rankings and landing six student athletes on an All Region team. Sibilski also was shown to be a proven recruiter bringing in 13 student athletes in the first year of the program's existence.
Coach Sam Sibilski is very excited about new opportunity and said, "Its an honor and a privilege to be named first full time soccer coach in GLCC history. I look forward to being on campus full time and be able to put the time, effort and resources into both the Men and Women's programs. Coach Ian Kurth has built a solid foundation for Mens soccer over the past 2 years. I look forward to the opportunity to take both the Mens and Women's programs to the next level.This opportunity wouldn't have been possible without the vision and support of the GLCC administration. I want to thank Director of Athletics Richard Westerlund, VP of Enrollment Greg Stauffer and President Carter for this exciting opportunity. Go Crusaders!!"
Coach Sibilski comes to Great Lakes, a native of England. Before coming to the United States Sibilski got his undergraduate education from Newark College, England in Sport and Recreation as well as Lincoln College, England in Plumbing and Heating systems. Sibilski also played for Semi Pro clubs in England including Lincoln Moorlands and Lincoln United. He competed in the English FA Cup while playing for Lincoln United. Following his playing career Sibilski became a certified personal trainer, After moving to the U.S has worked with some athletes from Michigan State and Wisconsin.
Since coming to the United States Sibilski has been a Varsity Coach in Michigan as well as Director of Girls Soccer for two different Clubs. He was the coach of Manchester High School Girls Soccer Program from 2015-2017, most recently he was the varsity girls soccer coach for St Johns High School. On the club side Sibilski coached for Jackson Rush from 2013-2017. The last two years Sibilski has been the Director for Girls Soccer for Chill Soccer Club in 2017 and National Captial Area Club in 2018.
Sibilski has had much success as a coach. He was named ISL Conference and District Coach of the Year in 2016 and 2017 after leading the Manchester girls to Division 4 Elite 8 Regional Final, while winning the D4 District and ISL East Championship. In 2017 he led the Manchester Girls to another D4 Elite 8 Regional Final, D4 District and ISL Conference Championship. In the fall of 18 he led the St John's Varsity Girls to their first ever CAAC Cup Silver Championship.
Coach Sibilski currently holds USSF C License, NSCAA Goalkeeping 1 + 2, NSCAA Director of coaching Diploma, NSCAA National Diploma. Coach Sibilski is married to his wife Lia and they have two children, Ruby and Hudson.
Director of Athletics Richard Westerlund said this about Coach Sibilski, "I am very excited about the future of both of our soccer programs. Sam was the clear choice from the beginning. His success as a player, and coach is unquestioned. He has a lot of local ties from coaching in the area for high school and club, coupled with his success in his first year as a college coach. I believe Sam will do a tremendous job building our soccer programs. Sam shares the same values and principles as our college and department. I look forward to seeing the heights that our soccer programs will reach." On his Assistant Athletic Director role, "This is huge for our department adding a full time person in athletics. Coach Sam has brought tremendous value to our athletic department and college. I am so thrilled to have him in a bigger role on campus. I want to thank our administration and President Larry Carter for their support and making this happen. It is a tremendous day for Great Lakes Christian College and our athletic department."