MCCC Announces Alumna Michelle Ogborn-Haywood
As New Women's Soccer Coach

8/8/11

West Windsor, N.J. - Mercer County Community College Athletics Director John Simone has announced that Michelle Ogborn-Haywood, of Ewing, will join the athletics staff as head coach for women's soccer. Ogborn-Haywood is a 1992 alumna of the college who is still active locally in both soccer and softball leagues as a youth coach and a player. She also brings considerable managerial and team-building skills to the program. "Michelle has a strong connection to Mercer. As an alumna of the college, she has been in the shoes of our students and understands the important role of college athletics," Simone said. "She will draw from personal experience as she mentors our players on the field and encourages them to get the job done in the classroom. We expect her to be an inspiring leader for our program." Ogborn-Haywood notes that, like any coach, she would love to have a winning season. She will condition her players at practice and share her considerable knowledge of the game and winning tactics. But her number one goal will be to create an atmosphere of mutual respect and see her players flourish. "We will build strength as a team and win as a team," she says.

MCCC alumna Michelle Ogborn-Haywood ('92) is the Vikings' new women's soccer coach.

Ogborn-Haywood was a three-sport athlete while at Mercer. A graduate of Council Rock High School in Bucks County, she was originally recruited by Bill Drake to play softball, who also coached her in soccer. "Coach Drake was an inspiration for me," she says. She began playing her third sport, basketball, after being spied shooting baskets in the gym by then new basketball coach Mike Tenaglia, who still coaches at Mercer.

Acknowledging her considerable energy level, Ogborn-Haywood says that playing a sport was the perfect outlet for her at the end of a tough school day. And, she says, at the community college level, most players get playing time from day one. "I was a starting defender, along with Judy Irwin. We guarded that backfield fiercely."

After Mercer, Ogborn-Haywood transferred to the University of West Florida, where she played soccer for Coach Diane Kelly, also an MCCC alum. She notes that she was well-prepared athletically and academically for the transition. She earned her bachelor's degree in Education and went on to a successful career in promotions and sales. As a marketing manager who traveled nationwide setting up sales teams for promotional events, she developed strong organizational and team-building skills that she believes will be very useful in her new position.

Currently a stay-at-home mom, her coaching duties will bring her back into the competitive sports environment that she loves. "I am chomping at the bit to get to the field," she says.

Ogborn-Haywood acknowledges how thankful she is for the role Mercer played in her life. "Mercer was like a second home and a turning point in my life." Noting the huge step it can be for some students to go directly from high school to living away from home at a four-year school, she says, "With two years at a community college, they come out knowing more about the real world and how to handle themselves on the playing field and in the classroom. I plan to be there for these girls the way Coach Drake was for me."

She still recalls the mentoring of Athletic Trainer Lisa Camillone, now in her 29th year at the college. "I could always count on Lisa' honesty and consistency. I knew her advice was sound. She is a friend now."

The Vikings' season begins August 27 with an away game against Monroe (Rochester, NY). The home opener is Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. vs. Montgomery (Rockville, MD) at the MCCC Stadium. The full season schedule is available here.

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