DAVE WOLF

Athletic Director / Director of Soccer / Head Women’s Soccer Coach / Head Men’s Soccer Coach

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After coaching the Westmont men’s soccer program for 17 years, Dave Wolf has taken on the challenge of adding Head Women’s Soccer Coach to his resume beginning with the 2008 season. As the men’s coach, Wolf has produced a win-loss record of 231-85-34 (.709).

Asked to describe himself as a coach, Wolf replied, "The phrase that I would most associate with myself is ‘motivation through affirmation.’  This isn’t because I am trying to be a good guy.  The greatest joy I get in coaching is that I enjoy believing in people.  I love getting behind people, telling them they can do the job we are asking them to do.  I love encouraging, being positive.  There are times to say hard things and be direct.  But who I am is on the side of saying, ‘We can do this. You have the quality to accomplish this.  I am going to believe in you all the way to the final whistle.’"

A graduate of Wheaton (Ill.), where he is a member of the Athletic Hall of Honor, Wolf helped lead the Thunder to a NCAA Division III National Championship in 1984 and was named an NCAA All-American in 1985. Following his graduation, he played one year in the Major Indoor Soccer League with the Chicago Sting and five years in the National Professional Soccer League with the Detroit Rockets, Indiana Kick and Memphis Storm. He also competed abroad with Missionary Athletes International and Lay Witness for Christ.

Wolf began his coaching career at Westmont in 1991 and has twice been named GSAC Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year. He has also received NAIA Far West Region Coach of the Year honors. His coaching accomplishments include back-to-back 20 win seasons (1994-95), advancement to the NAIA National Tournament six times, seven Golden State Athletic Conferences championships and 17 players named as NAIA All-Americans.

"I think the coaching highlight for me," said Wolf, "is when I see a player give everything they have to give in a particular moment – a game, a training session, a fitness activity.  I was a blood and guts player – touch every blade of grass, run like a dog and make sure by the end of the game I had given every last ounce I had to give.  When I see those moments in my players, that is the pinnacle (of coaching).  I think I have matured enough as a coach to appreciate those moments even in games we don’t win.

"When a team is really together, I love that," continued Wolf.  "We are always trying to create chemistry.  It doesn’t always happen.  But whenever you see a team that is knit together, soccer is a beautiful game to watch."

In 1993, Wolf received his Masters of Arts in Education with an emphasis in Physical Education from Azusa Pacific University. Academically, Wolf teaches Kinesiology and Physical Education courses including Psychology of Sport and Sociology of Sport. He has served as Westmont’s Athletic Director since 1998.  From 1996-1997, Wolf was an assistant coach in the Olympic Development Program. 

Currently serving as President of the NAIA Men’s Soccer Coach Association, Wolf cites a predecessor as establishing an example in giving back to the larger soccer community.  "Russ Carr served as president of the same association," said Wolf.  "In many ways he has been a great role model.  He gave a lot to soccer away from Westmont and I want to do my small part in that as well."

In another example of giving back to soccer, Wolf serves as a member of the Coaching Advisory Board for the Santa Barbara Soccer Club. Though he admits there is something of a personal involvement in this duty as two of his children participate on SBSC teams.

Wolf and his wife Jill, a member of the Wheaton Athletic Hall of Honor in her own right, have five children, Tanner (13), Lauren (11), Bailey (9), Payton (7) and Jackson (4).

KRISTI KIELY

Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach

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Kristi (Peich) Kiely, a 2005 alumna, will join the Warriors as the primary assistant coach for the 2008 women’s soccer team. As a student-athlete, Peich was a part of Westmont’s three national championship teams from 2001 through 2003. As a midfielder, the three-time All-GSAC performer scored 13 goals and tallied 30 assists.

“It is such an honor to be back in a program that I am very passionate about,” said Kiely. “I’m excited to be able to give back and to be a part of taking the team to a national championship level. I hope to serve as a good leader and role model both on and off the field. I want to be a resource for the players and pour into them the benefits of my experiences on national championship teams and at high levels of soccer.”

"Mike Gulliano, her former coach, said unequivocally that she was the most mature, soccer savvy player he ever coached” said Head Coach Dave Wolf, "That is a powerful statement from a very successful coach about a player who was a three-time team MVP.”

After graduation, Kiely tried out with the California Storm of the Women’s Premier League.

"At my tryout, I was supposed to juggle with Sissi, one of the Brazilian National Team’s best players of all time," recalled Kiely. "I looked like an idiot. It was very embarrassing but at the same time, it was so sweet. I played with them for about five months alongside players like Sissi and Brandi Chastain and Marueen Whitney. After that, I continued to be a part of their pool play."

“Kristi brings a significant amount of personal playing experience and success as a player,” said Wolf. “She brings some real intangibles in the leadership and maturity categories and I am very confident that she will bring a lot of expertise to her role as a coach. She also brings a real deep connection to the heritage of Westmont women’s soccer.”

DAN RIBBENS

Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach

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Dan Ribbens has completed his fifth year as part of the Warrior coaching staff, including a stint as interim head coach in 2004. A four-year letterman on the Westmont men’s soccer team, Ribbens served as the Warrior’s men’s soccer team captain for two seasons, during which time he was the team’s MVP. In 1976, he became the program’s sixth player to be named an NAIA All-American.

"It is pure joy to be able to coach at Westmont," said Ribbens. "Having been involved with the women’s soccer program at its inception in the 70’s, I can really appreciate the quality of the players and coaches that are currently in the program. My goal every year is to help Coach Mouw be the best coach that she can be. Hopefully, as the season progresses, I can contribute something to the development of each player both on and off the pitch. This program is really all about how to maximize every player’s experience as a Westmont soccer player and win some games along the way."

"Dan has a wealth of knowledge and cares so deeply for the team," said head coach Rebecca Mouw. "He loves soccer and knows soccer. As a head coach, I always want someone to bounce ideas off who knows what he is talking about. I know I can trust Dan and that he wants what is best for the team. He is always looking for new ideas and new ways of doing things. That is good because he challenges me to be better in those areas as well, which I really appreciate."

While finishing up his BA in political science in 1977, Ribbens played a year of professional soccer for the now defunct Santa Barbara Condors of the American Soccer League. In the summer of 1979, Ribbens traveled to Africa to play for "Adventures in Education". The team was cosponsored by the State Department and coached by Westmont’s Russ Carr.

During the early 90’s, Ribbens was instrumental in starting the Football Club of Santa Barbara, which has since merged with the Santa Barbara Soccer Club. He has coached youth club soccer teams from Under-11 to Under-19 for more than a decade.

Since 1977, Ribbens has been the owner/operator of Ribbens Construction which specializes in custom residential homes. Ribbens and his wife Karen (Westmont ‘78) have two sons, Andy (Westmont ‘02) and Erick. Andy, who played soccer for the Warriors from 1999-2001, and his wife Sara expect to make Ribbens a grandfather in late November.