Friday, January 13, 2023
by Saint Martin's Athletic Communications

LACEY, Wash. – Saint Martin's University is excited to welcome Derek Faulkner as the third women's soccer coach in program history.
 
"Following an extensive and highly successful search, on behalf of our committee, the women's soccer team and valued campus partners who participated in it, I am pleased to announce the hiring of Derek Faulkner as the program's next head coach," said Director of Athletics Steve O'Brien. "Beyond his extensive playing and coaching experience, Faulkner's holistic view of intercollegiate athletics and developing student-athletes aligns extremely well with Saint Martin's mission and the values of this athletics department."
 
Prior to Saint Martin's, Faulkner spent two seasons at fellow GNAC school Seattle Pacific University, where he held the position of assistant coach for a Falcon squad that achieved hefty prominence at both the conference and national levels. In his first season with SPU, he was part of a run for the Falcons that led them all the way to a GNAC championship, a West Region championship and a berth in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals. This season, Faulkner helped lead the Falcons back to the GNAC Championships.
 
As a player, Faulkner attended Santa Rosa Junior College before moving on to Division II national powerhouse Cal State LA where he helped lead the Golden Eagles to the 2011 Division II quarterfinals. In addition to a coaching stint at his alma mater, Faulkner has held jobs at nearly all levels, including Division I Oregon State, Indian Hills Community College and NAIA Corban.
 
"I am grateful for the opportunity to be the next head women's soccer coach at Saint Martin's University and would like to thank President Bonds-Raacke and Director of Athletics Steve O'Brien for trusting me to lead this program moving forward," said Faulkner. "My family and I are thrilled to be joining the Saint Martin's community. I am excited about the opportunity and cannot wait to get after it with the team as we compete in the classroom, in the community and on the field. I would also like to thank (SPU head coach) Arby (Busey) and all of the players and alumni for making my time at SPU so special. I wish the program nothing but success moving forward."
 
O'Brien expressed optimism for the program under Faulkner's leadership. "His experience coaching within the highly competitive GNAC, familiarity and success recruiting in the Pacific Northwest, and authentic desire to build a program reflective of our institution's ideals, will serve our student-athletes and Saint Martin's University well in the years to come," he said.