Texas Tech University Athletics
Schmedes Selected in Inaugural WPS Draft
January 27, 2009 | Women's Soccer
Jan. 27, 2009
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech volunteer assistant soccer coach Kelly Schmedes was recently selected with the 41st overall pick by the Boston Breakers in the inaugural Women's Professional Soccer league (WPS) draft.
Schmedes has spent the previous four seasons as Tech's volunteer assistant, coming with former Red Raider head coach Neil McGuire prior to the 2005 season. She has served the previous two seasons under current Tech head coach Tom Stone.
During her four seasons, Schmedes was instrumental in the development of Tech's players as she regularly trained with the team and was on the sideline as the Red Raiders qualified for the Big 12 Championship in her final two seasons, a feat that had not been previously accomplished in school history.
"I owe a great deal to Tech for being able to train with the team and being able to learn from Tom and Aaron and Ashley (Gordon, Tech assistant coaches) on the coaching side," Schmedes said. "I think those things will help me in this league. I am extremely excited about the opportunity to play, but I will miss the team so much. I look forward to seeing them do well next season. I sincerely appreciate all the experiences I have had with not only the team but with the coaching staff as well."
In Tech's off-season, Schmedes has played for the Charlotte Lady Eagles of the W-League in three of the last four years, including the 2008 season where she led the team in points, goals and minutes.
Schmedes, who played collegiately at the University of Texas, was named the Big 12 Player of the Year in 2002 and an All-Big 12 first team selection all four years. She has also played extensively on the national level, earning a spot on the 1999 U.S. Under-20 team that won the World Cup.
"Kelly is well prepared for life as a professional athlete," Stone said. "She is a big-time winner on and off the field and has the mentality to deal with daily grind of the professional environment. She has been a great role model and assistant coach for our players the last two years, and we all wish her the very best as she takes her playing career to the next level."
The Breakers are coached by Tony DiCicco, who, with Stone as his assistant, was the head coach of the 2008 U.S. U-20 National Team that won the FIFA World Cup in November. Boston opens the 2009 regular season against the FC Gold Pride on April 5 in Santa Clara, Calif.
Schmedes' husband, Gregg, is currently in his final semester as a medical student at Tech's University Medical Center.
