Grand Rapids Community College recently added a new soccer program and has since attached two coaches to the team: Lizzy Hornack, a Davenport University grad, and Damiekco Smith, who holds master’s degrees from University of Michigan-Flint and Bowling Green.
Grand Rapids Community College has named Lizzy Hornack and Damiekco Smith as the coaches for the school’s new soccer program.
Lizzy Hornack is a graduate of Davenport University, completing her degree in 2014. While there she was named two-time All-American in 2010 and 2013. She then went on to play in a semi-pro league with the Grand Rapids Football Club, winning the national championship in 2017.
Hornack has coaching experience as an assistant coach and junior varsity coach at Davenport, assistant varsity coach for Grandville High School, head junior varsity coach for Rockford High School, director of coaching for the Soccer Club of Rockford, Bardar West in Byron Center, and CATS FC in Caledonia.
FOX 17 quoted Hornack on her new appointment: “I’m very excited to start GRCC’s women’s soccer program. It’s an honor to be the first-ever head coach. I’m excited to get to work on building this program and having a positive impact on the lives of student-athletes.”
Smith works as a section manager for Kent County in the Department of Health and Human Services. He holds an associate’s degree from Ferris State University, a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University, and two master’s degrees from the University of Michigan-Flint in public administration and Bowling Green in criminal justice.
Smith has coached for the University of Michigan-Flint as the head women’s coach and as an assistant for the men’s soccer program there. He was also the head coach for the Wellspring Prep High School girl’s soccer team.
He was also quoted by FOX 17 on his appointment to GRCC’s soccer team as saying, “I’m excited to be the first head coach of the GRCC men’s soccer program and I’m looking forward to building a competitive team.”
Athletic Director Lauren Ferullo also weighed in on the two new soccer coaches, saying, “We’re starting these programs on the right foot with excellent coaches. We’re not just fielding a team. We’re building a program and a culture. Lizzy and Damiekco have years of experience working with student-athletes, helping them be successful on the field and in the classroom.”
GRCC’s new soccer teams should be ready to compete in the fall semester of 2023, interested students can learn more about the program on the school’s website for the team.
More information about Grand Rapids Community College in general can be found on its website.