John Welsch - Soccer Coach - University of Colorado Athletics

John Welsch

Title:
Assistant Coach

John Welsch is entering his fourth year coaching goalkeepers for the University of Colorado women's soccer team in 1999, continuing and building upon a lifelong connection with the sport.

Welsch, 41, was born in Cascricum, Netherlands, in 1958. He graduated from Christian Lyceun High School in Alkmaar, Netherlands, in 1976, participating with local soccer and tennis club teams throughout his high school career.

Welsch departed the Netherlands for the United States in 1977, his travels bringing him to Dent on, Texas, and the University of North Texas. A four-year letterwinner for coaches Simon Sanchez (fresh man and sophomore years) and Richard Lowe Gunior and senior) as a midfielder, Welsch was a two time all-American and is still the school's all-time career leader in assists (46) and shots on goal (228), and is only four goals shore of the North Texas all-time career best with 39 scores.

North Texas discontinued the soccer program in 1993, so his standing on the all-time charts will be unthreatened . He also holds the North Texas all-time records for most assists (12; 1981) and shoes on goal (85; 1978) in a single season.

After graduating from North Texas in 1981 with a bachelor's degree in physical education, Welsch played professionally with the Chicago Sting of the NASL (1982) and the Dallas Americans of the ASL (1983-85). He began his coaching career in Colorado in 1989 as the Director of Coaching for the FC Boulder Soccer Club, a position he still holds. He also served as head coach of the Boulder High School boys' and girls' soccer teams from 1989 to 1995. In 1990, he became a staff coach for the Colorado State Youth Soccer Association (CSYSA), a capacity he still serves the organization in today.

He and his wife, Karen, currently live in Longmont with their 15-year-old daughter, Michelle.