Wesley Woodley is in his first season as a volunteer assistant coach with the Loyola University Chicago men's soccer team. Woodley, a native of Glendale Heights, Ill., works with the team's goalkeepers.
"I could not be happier to join the Loyola men's soccer program," Woodley commented. "Loyola and it's men's soccer team have a long, prestigious history. I feel honored to call myself a Rambler."
Prior to his arrival in Rogers Park, Woodley, who also serves as a coach with Chicago Fire Juniors City, spent one season as an assistant coach at Trinity Christian College in suburban Palos Heights, Ill., overseeing in goalkeeper development and training. During his time with the Trolls, Woodley analyzed game film, took part in the recruiting process, and planned daily practices. He also coordinated travel and assisted in the organization of game day operations.
Woodley enjoyed a terrific two-year stint as a graduate assistant at North Park University, his alma mater, from 2017-2019. While with the Vikings, he was part of a coaching staff that amassed an impressive 36-5-2 overall record. That mark was highlighted by a 20-2-2 effort during the 2017 season that saw North Park advance to the NCAA Division III National Championship game, with the Vikings staff earning NCAA Coaching Staff of the Year honors. Over his two years on staff, Woodley's goalkeepers sported a sparkling 0.73 goals against average.
Prior to spending time with the Big Cat Goalkeeping Academy and the Olympic Development Program, Woodley was a standout goalkeeper during his playing days at North Park, where he arrived following two years at St. Francis College (NY), earning a pair All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) nods.
Woodley, who holds a National "E" License from the United States Soccer Federation, earned his bachelor's degree in business and economics in 2016 from North Park University before securing his master's in organizational leadership from the school in 2019.
