Junior Noel, a native of Trinidad who played on the Caribbean Republic’s national soccer team, was recently named new head boys soccer coach at East Mississippi Commmunity College.
“We’re excited about welcoming Junior to the EMCC family and we feel like he’s going to be a big asset,” said Mickey Stokes, vice president for athletics.
“He’s played professionally and that brings a new dimension and depth to our program – and a chance for EMCC players to learn from someone who has played at that level.”
Local athletes
Some of the incoming freshman class that will share in this benefit includes South Pontotoc’s Jake McGregor and Pontotoc’s Luis Rosado.
Luis, the son of Julie Rosado, was a member of the Warrior soccer team at PHS for four years, and the cross country team for five years.
Jake, the son of James and Cindy McGregor, was a member of the Cougar soccer team at SPHS for two years where he was named to the All-Division Team.
Noel
Coach Noel was a first-round draft pick in 1998 in the A-League draft, and played professional soccer in Jackson, Lexington, New Orleans and Hampton.
Noel may not have been born in the Deep South, but EMCC’s new soccer coach knows what makes small towns tick.
“Athletics in any community, from any perspective, is a bolt that helps hold everything together. It’s part of the community’s identity, its face,” Noel said.
“Athletics at the community college level is a building block for young athletes, and it is usually what is carried forward for generations.”
Noel has 22 years of coaching experience.
He comes to EMCC from Quitman High School, where he directed the boys’ and girls’ soccer programs.
During a two-year stint, the QHS soccer program posted its best record in school history and made its first appearance in the state playoffs.
Noel’s resume also includes coaching the boys’ soccer team at Lamar School in Meridian.
Noel moved to the United States in 1994, and accepted a soccer scholarship at the University of Mobile in Alabama.
At Mobile, he was selected as a First Team All-American by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics in 1995 and 1997.
“I have lived in the Quitman area for the past seven years. My wife is from Quitman and I feel comfortable in this area,” Noel explained.
“I want to do so much to bring soccer to this area.
“A lot of kids play soccer when they’re younger, but when they get to be teenagers, they’re attracted to the spotlight and the bright lights of baseball, football and basketball.
“Soccer can have that kind of following, too.”
Noel is moving his family to Scooba and will be a full-time fixture on campus. He and his wife, Natalie, have three children: 6-year-old Julian, 4-year-old J’Len and 3-year-old J’Nia.
Natalie teaches elementary school in Quitman.
In this rebuilding year, there’s an emphasis on recruitment. New players who have also signed with EMCC for the 2007-08 season include:
Aaron Jenkins of Caledonia High School, Brantley Pierce of New Hope High School and Matthew Witbeck of Starkville High School.
Nine returning players will also take the field in 2007-08:
Charles “Chaz” Middleton of Laurel, Michael “Todd” Chisolm of Caledonia, William R. Thompson of Ellisville, Kyle Davis of DeKalb, Ronnie “Trey” White of Starkville, Glenn Simmons of West Point, Rainer Hagewood of Columbus, Antwon Branson of Columbus and Michael Lee of Albuquerque, N.M.