Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
“People” give Rhoden’s 18-year career purpose; drive him to build on past success
6/1/2020 5:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer, BRAA
People.
In times like these, it's the people that help us get through them. Both in good times and in bad, the ones around you help makeup who you are and give you purpose in life. Over the past 18 years, it's the people around the Middle Tennessee women's soccer program that have helped Head Coach Aston Rhoden build what's become the most successful coaching career in program history. The people are the ones that have given the program purpose, and give him the purpose to cultivate an environment that's built championship players both on and off the pitch.
As a young coach in 1996, Rhoden helped the University of North Alabama's program get off the ground. At the time, his purpose was much different than that of what it is as a veteran coach at a division one program, but it was an important time for the native of Jamaica as he laid the foundation for the way he runs his program today.
"When I started, we had to transition from operating as a club team that was non-scholarship to a Division II team in the Gulf South Conference," Rhoden said. "The struggles of starting a new program gives you an appreciation for what you have in an established program. It taught me a lot about being grateful and makes me appreciate the resources that we have here at Middle Tennessee."
Upon arrival at MTSU, one thing Rhoden was able to help the program with was gaining notoriety in the youth soccer community in Middle Tennessee, as the Blue Raiders began signing recruits from the mid-state that were All-American type players beginning in Rhoden's first season in 2002. The success in recruiting led to the development of a winning culture early on, as Rhoden helped guide the Blue Raiders to their first conference title in 2004. Fans became accustomed to seeing fast-paced teams that took an aggressive offensive approach, producing some of the top goal-scoring teams on a national level annually.
Middle Tennessee put together an impressive nine-year run of winning records from 2003-2012, including three Sun Belt Conference titles. The secret behind the success? The people.
Along with bringing in talented recruits, Rhoden has always prided his program on bringing in players with high levels of character. It's changed the perception of MTSU on both a local and national level, helping bring in the high-character type of athlete that has helped the Blue Raiders turn into a winner.
Perhaps a perfect example of that was the Blue Raiders 2010 squad, who Rhoden led to both a conference title and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
"I think the hallmark of that 2010 team was that they were fearless," Rhoden said. "They took a tremendous amount of pride in representing our university. They hated losing games and were very together."
The chemistry the team had both on and off the field was the perfect culmination of the pillars that Rhoden helped build. It led to a dramatic conference championship win as the Blue Raiders won back-to-back games over Western Kentucky and Denver in penalty kicks to claim the title.
Just two years later, Middle Tennessee would again capture the conference title and finish with an impressive 14-5-1 mark before making the transition into Conference USA.
There's been many different types of people that Rhoden's had as players, but there isn't one in particular that stands out during his 18-year run. It's those different types of people who he's seen develop into national team captains, leaders in the workplace, and, most importantly, mothers that he can wave at in the stands who all played a part in helping him build MTSU soccer into what it is today.
"There's just so many players over the past 18 years who have been so impactful for us that it's hard to remember them all," Rhoden chuckled. "You look at the last three years and the first name that pops into people's heads is Peyton DePriest. Before Peyton, you had Lisa-Marie Woods who played in the World Cup. You have Claire Ward who has been a captain for Scotland. Laura Miguez-Howarth recently got into the (MTSU) Hall of Fame. Katy Rayburn was an All-American."
For every Katy Rayburn and Peyton DePriest you have players who hold teams together like glue. Even though they may not have their name in the spotlight, the team wouldn't be the same without them. Players like Cameron Cox and Sara Beth Lee.
Those influential players make up the most impactful group of people that gives Rhoden purpose year in and year out: the team.
"I think what I choose to remember most about the past 18 years are the teams," Rhoden said. "I like to talk more about the teams as a whole because I can promise you for all those individuals that I mentioned, they'll remember more about the team and how they functioned."
As the Blue Raiders enter the 2020 season, Rhoden sits just six wins shy of 200 in his career at MTSU. Sure, the wins are an important part about why Rhoden has enjoyed the career he's had thus far, but the most important thing that stands out to the Blue Raiders all-time winningest coach?
"People," he said. "When I say people, I'm talking about everyone that has even the slightest impact on our program. I don't know many programs where a university president comes to your practice and sits on the bench during warmups. That means a whole lot to me. It trickles down to our Athletic Director (Chris Massaro) and our coaches, community and players. They make the bad days good and the good days great."
Anthony Fiorella is a writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @a_fiorella74 and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
In times like these, it's the people that help us get through them. Both in good times and in bad, the ones around you help makeup who you are and give you purpose in life. Over the past 18 years, it's the people around the Middle Tennessee women's soccer program that have helped Head Coach Aston Rhoden build what's become the most successful coaching career in program history. The people are the ones that have given the program purpose, and give him the purpose to cultivate an environment that's built championship players both on and off the pitch.
As a young coach in 1996, Rhoden helped the University of North Alabama's program get off the ground. At the time, his purpose was much different than that of what it is as a veteran coach at a division one program, but it was an important time for the native of Jamaica as he laid the foundation for the way he runs his program today.
"When I started, we had to transition from operating as a club team that was non-scholarship to a Division II team in the Gulf South Conference," Rhoden said. "The struggles of starting a new program gives you an appreciation for what you have in an established program. It taught me a lot about being grateful and makes me appreciate the resources that we have here at Middle Tennessee."
Upon arrival at MTSU, one thing Rhoden was able to help the program with was gaining notoriety in the youth soccer community in Middle Tennessee, as the Blue Raiders began signing recruits from the mid-state that were All-American type players beginning in Rhoden's first season in 2002. The success in recruiting led to the development of a winning culture early on, as Rhoden helped guide the Blue Raiders to their first conference title in 2004. Fans became accustomed to seeing fast-paced teams that took an aggressive offensive approach, producing some of the top goal-scoring teams on a national level annually.
Middle Tennessee put together an impressive nine-year run of winning records from 2003-2012, including three Sun Belt Conference titles. The secret behind the success? The people.
Along with bringing in talented recruits, Rhoden has always prided his program on bringing in players with high levels of character. It's changed the perception of MTSU on both a local and national level, helping bring in the high-character type of athlete that has helped the Blue Raiders turn into a winner.
Perhaps a perfect example of that was the Blue Raiders 2010 squad, who Rhoden led to both a conference title and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
"I think the hallmark of that 2010 team was that they were fearless," Rhoden said. "They took a tremendous amount of pride in representing our university. They hated losing games and were very together."
The chemistry the team had both on and off the field was the perfect culmination of the pillars that Rhoden helped build. It led to a dramatic conference championship win as the Blue Raiders won back-to-back games over Western Kentucky and Denver in penalty kicks to claim the title.
Just two years later, Middle Tennessee would again capture the conference title and finish with an impressive 14-5-1 mark before making the transition into Conference USA.
There's been many different types of people that Rhoden's had as players, but there isn't one in particular that stands out during his 18-year run. It's those different types of people who he's seen develop into national team captains, leaders in the workplace, and, most importantly, mothers that he can wave at in the stands who all played a part in helping him build MTSU soccer into what it is today.
"There's just so many players over the past 18 years who have been so impactful for us that it's hard to remember them all," Rhoden chuckled. "You look at the last three years and the first name that pops into people's heads is Peyton DePriest. Before Peyton, you had Lisa-Marie Woods who played in the World Cup. You have Claire Ward who has been a captain for Scotland. Laura Miguez-Howarth recently got into the (MTSU) Hall of Fame. Katy Rayburn was an All-American."
For every Katy Rayburn and Peyton DePriest you have players who hold teams together like glue. Even though they may not have their name in the spotlight, the team wouldn't be the same without them. Players like Cameron Cox and Sara Beth Lee.
Those influential players make up the most impactful group of people that gives Rhoden purpose year in and year out: the team.
"I think what I choose to remember most about the past 18 years are the teams," Rhoden said. "I like to talk more about the teams as a whole because I can promise you for all those individuals that I mentioned, they'll remember more about the team and how they functioned."
As the Blue Raiders enter the 2020 season, Rhoden sits just six wins shy of 200 in his career at MTSU. Sure, the wins are an important part about why Rhoden has enjoyed the career he's had thus far, but the most important thing that stands out to the Blue Raiders all-time winningest coach?
"People," he said. "When I say people, I'm talking about everyone that has even the slightest impact on our program. I don't know many programs where a university president comes to your practice and sits on the bench during warmups. That means a whole lot to me. It trickles down to our Athletic Director (Chris Massaro) and our coaches, community and players. They make the bad days good and the good days great."
Anthony Fiorella is a writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @a_fiorella74 and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
Players Mentioned
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