Episode 44: Coach Max Rooke- Associate Head Women's Soccer Coach Pepperdine University

  Max Rooke has enjoyed four highly successful seasons as the associate head coach of the Pepperdine women's soccer program. The 2018 season will be his fifth with the Waves. Since coming to Pepperdine prior to the 2014 season, he has been a part of three NCAA Tournament teams (2014 Sweet 16 and 2016 and 2017 second rounds) and two WCC titles (2016 and 2017). He’s been part of a staff that’s earned United Soccer Coaches West Region Coaching Staff of the Year honors in both 2016 and 2017.   Rooke joined the Waves' staff after serving as an assistant coach at both Illinois-Springfield and his alma mater, Mercer. While at UIS, Rooke also served as Director of Coaching for the Springfield Area Soccer Association. Before joining the staff at Mercer, Rooke worked as the head coach for both the boys’ and girls' soccer programs at Tattnall Square Academy. In his time at Tattnall, he guided the boys' team to two Georgia Independent Schools Association (GISA) State Final Four Appearances (2005, 2008) along with a GISA Regional 3 AAA Championship in 2005.   Rooke was named the GISA Region 3 AAA Coach of the Year twice (2004, 2005) as well as the GISA State Coach of the Year in 2004. Rooke also brings many years of collegiate and professional playing experience to his position. Playing collegiately for Mercer University, he earned all-academic honors in each of his four years. He was twice an All-South American selection (2000, 2001) and was the Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year in 2001. He served as the team captain in each of his last three seasons and in 2005 he became the first male soccer player in school history to have his jersey retired.   His professional experience stretches overseas as he was also a member of the Great Britain National Soccer Team, playing in two world championships, and also with the professional Reading Football Club. A native of Reading, England, Max graduated from Mercer in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a minor in Education. He currently holds his NSCAA Premier Coaching Diploma.   Rooke is also a noted motivational speaker who has developed a program to help individuals and teams master their mental game and elevate performance levels (maxrooke.com). Max and his wife, Noelle, have been married since 2008. Noelle is currently the assistant women's volleyball coach at Cal State Northridge. They reside in Oak Park, Calif.  @Max_Rooke  [email protected]  https://www.maxrooke.com/