Kim Wyant

Kim Wyant is an American Soccer player. She was the first Goalkeeper for the 1985 United States women's national soccer team, appearing in the inaugural US game in Italy.^[1] She has played 16 international games as the US Goalkeeper, and is forever in the soccer history books of US Soccer for appearing as the first US goalkeeper and recording the first ever shutout, and first ever win (July 1986 vs Canada).^[2]

In 2008, Kim was given the ‘Special Recognition Award’ by the National Soccer Hall of Fame honoring her contribution to the winning way of the Women’s National Team.

She is currently serving as an assistant coach on New York University Women's Soccer Team [3], and as the head coach for the New York Athletic Club women's soccer team [2], leading the team to the 2014 USASA Amateur Women's National Championship.

Early career

In 1982 Kim appeared in the first NCAA National Soccer Championship as a scholarship member of The University of Central Florida's women's team. Despite her teams' loss, Kim was named the Most Valuable Player of the National Championship tournament. She graduated from UCF with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. And in 2010 she was inducted into the UCF Athletic Hall of Fame.^[2]

National Team

"The women’s national team began in 1985 as a hastily collected roster of unknowns with names like Enos, Boyer, Orrison, Bender and Wyant. There was little practice time, no equipment to speak of, and travel conditions primitive. The press didn’t even notice. Hardly household names today, and the season consisted of nothing more than a quick trip to Jesolo, Italy where they played a quick four games, losing to Denmark, England, and Italy, and only managing a draw in their rejoinder with Denmark. However, one item to note: the first goal scored by the US was by a young collegian from Univ. of Central Florida named Michelle Akers-Stahl, who would go on to make history in the years ahead" [1]

Professional

The Long Island resident is the Long Island Lady Riders all-time leader in minutes played with 8,636 minutes during nine seasons, and second all time in games played with 99.

She fortified the defense in leading Long Island to W-League National Championships in 1995 and 1997 and an improbable 2-0 victory over the Brazilian Women's National Team in 1999. During her career with the Lady Riders she was the dominate goalkeeper of the W-League, winning Goalkeeper of The Year Honors four consecutive years- 1995, 96, 97, and 98. She was also honored as the Most Valuable Player for her performance in the 1997 Championship series, and has twice been selected as a W-league All Star.

Shortly after announcing her retirement in August 2003 Kim was named General Manager of the Lady Riders. Prior to her promotion, Kim implemented the teams very successful camps and youth academy. Under her direction the Lady Riders twice received the USL W-League ‘Organization of the Year’ awarded annually to the top USL organization displaying excellence both on and off the field. Kim also served as the team interim coach during the 2002 season, leading the team to an 11-1-1 record. In 2004, Kim was inducted into the United Soccer League’s Soccer Hall of Fame.

Kim served as the head coach for Florida Atlantic University’s women’s soccer team from 1995 through 1998, and Dowling College from 2003-2006. She is current the women's assistant coach at NYU and the head coach of the New York Athletic Club (WPSL).

In 1998 Kim served as a FIFA Staff Coach in Trinidad, where she instructed National team coaches from the CONCACAF region on the modern demands of goalkeeping. Kim is the creator and founder of Above All Goalkeeping camps, and is widely regarded as one of the top goalkeeper coaches in the Southeast.

Kim is a US Soccer licensed coach and holds an NSCAA Premier Diploma. She has served as a clinician for many soccer organizations, and has published articles in various newsletters and publications.

BMX career

Kim Wyant was among the very first female BMX’er in the nation. She is one of the pioneers of BMX riders that started a revolution in bicycling that has culminated into an Olympic Sporting event.

Growing up in a motorcycle family made it easy for Kim to transition into BMX. On Sundays her family would pack up the family van, hook up the trailer with all the Motocross Bikes and head out to the riding field. One Sunday out at the motocross track she noticed a bunch of kids racing bicycles on a dirt track set up in the corner of the field. She quickly became interested. The next Sunday, in addition to the motorcycles she packed her Swinn Stingray in the van. It was the summer of 1974, a ten-year-old girl among all boys, she paid the $2 entry fee, taped a mocked up paper plate number to her handlebars, and lined up across a flat starting line when her heat was called. An organizer pulled the rubber-band across the front handlebars, gave a fair warning, and then, snap, off she flew.

Other Accolades

Along with her soccer and BMX accomplishments, Wyant earned the Burn of the Century Award after serving a steamy platter of heat to a forward for missing a shot from 2 feet out. She has also won the award for Best Visor Game 9 years in a row and looks forward to defending her crown in 2016.

Honors

1982 NCAA National Championship MVP, 1986 NSCAA First Team All American, 1995 & 97 USL W League National Champion (Long Island Lady Riders), 1997 USL W League Championship MVP, 1995, 96, 97 & 98 USL W League Goalkeeper of the Year, 1997 & 98 USL W League All Star, 1999 & 2000 USL Organization of the Year (Long Island Lady Riders), 2003 USL Hall of Fame Class, 2008 National Soccer Hall of Fame Special Award Recipient, 2010 UCF Hall of Fame Class, 2013 Long Island Soccer Hall of Fame Class

References