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GCCC hires new women's soccer coach
Published 7/7/2011 in Sports
By The Telegram
Ki Thornberry, who has been an assistant women's soccer and softball coach at Sterling College for the past two seasons, has been hired as the new Garden City Community College women's soccer coach.
The announcement was made Wednesday by GCCC athletic director Bob Larson.
Thornberry replaces Andrea Gorton, who resigned after one year to move to Michigan with her husband, Stephen, the former coach of the GCCC men's program, who was hired as an assistant at Oakland University in Rochester, Mich.
In her lone season as the head coach of the Lady Broncbusters, Gorton guided the team to a 9-7-2 record (6-6-1 in Region VI) and lost in the region quarterfinals to Hutchinson. She produced three All-Region 6 and All-Jayhawk Conference players.
Thornberry primarily focused on training the goalkeepers for the Lady Warriors soccer program, but was also very involved in the development of the field players. She was also the head coach for the junior varsity softball team.
"I'm very excited because when you make a decision to be a coach, you always want to be a head coach," Thornberry said earlier today. "I was impressed with the support from the athletic department, coach Larson and the community for the women's program."
Prior to her time at Sterling College, Thornberry held positions in sports and recreation. She has worked as an auditor for the Zephyr Mountain Lodge at Winter Park, Colo., and also served as the membership coordinator for the Northside YMCA in Oklahoma City.
Thornberry played collegiate soccer at Sterling College following a two-year career at Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa, Okla. She was named team Most Valuable Player in 2003 at Sterling College as well as All-Kansas College Athletic Conference.
During her time at Sterling, Thornberry said she had the opportunity to see GCCC play when she was on the recruiting trail.
"I did get to see them play a little, so I know some things about a few of the returning players," Thornberry said. "I don't know much about the freshmen, but I'll be getting information on them very quickly."
At Northern Oklahoma, she was named the Maverick Athlete of the Year, as well as receiving the sportsmanship award. Thornberry received her bachelor's degree in exercise science from Sterling College in 2008.
"I am very pleased to have Ki coming on board at GCCC," said Larson. "I think she will be an excellent leader for our young ladies and continue the building of the Broncbuster women's soccer program."
Thornberry said she has developed what she termed "old school" philosophy of playing soccer.
"Hard-nosed, physical style of play is what I've liked to see," she said. "I want my players to be tough mentally and show a lot of heart and work hard. That's what I like about soccer."
Thornberry will start her duties immediately at GCCC.
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