JOE VEAL Men's Head Coach -- Head Coach Joe Veal begins his eighth year leading the men's soccer program at Aquinas College. In 2011 Veal became the winningest coach in Aquinas history and now has a 96-38-7 overall record and a 48-16-6 record in conference games at Aquinas. In his seven years at the helm of the program the Saints have won the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) regular season championship 3 times in 2008, 2009, and 2010 and the WHAC tournament twice, in 1996 and 2007.

Veal has built the program based on recruiting solid student-athletes that possess strong character traits to compliment their outstanding soccer skills. Veal comments, "There are so many aspects to look at in conducting a successful program. We focus on recruiting quality student-athletes that have good skills, ball control and touch. We also look for players that have a strong understanding of game tactics.

He also credits the success of the program to the influence of his Assistant Coaches during those years. “Matt Roberts, Tony Rowe, Levi Swaney, Brian McKeough, and Chad DuRussel are all former players who love the game of soccer and love Aquinas and have worked very hard to maintain a program of excellence.”

After playing high school football, Veal took up the game of soccer. From that point on, he has never looked back and soccer has been a big part of his life. Upon graduation, Veal continued his education and playing career at Bethel College in Mishawaka, IN. He was a four year varsity player on the men's soccer team and was selected as a team captain his junior and senior seasons. He also garnered All-District recognition his junior year. Veal completed his education at Bethel College and graduated with a degree in Biblical Literature and Youth Ministry. He later returned to complete the requirements to be a Health and Physical Education teacher. After graduating from Bethel College, he spent three additional years at Bethel in the capacity of athletic director and teaching and coaching soccer.

After years at Bethel, Veal was ready for a new challenge and he was selected as the first head coach at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis for two seasons. He was named district coach of the year one of those years. Veal then moved to Grand Rapids, MI where for the next seven years he was an Assistant Professor and head soccer coach at WHAC rival Cornerstone University. The Golden Eagles won a conference championship under Veal's leadership in 1993.

In 1996 Veal joined the Aquinas College Saints program in a co-coaching position with coach Pat Hoatlin. The Saints won the WHAC tournament that season. Veal, who is currently a Health Education teacher in the Rockford Public School system, then coached the varsity boy's soccer team at Rockford for nine seasons.

When the men's soccer coaching position became open in 2005, Veal realized he was ready for a new challenge and was optimistic about the Aquinas College program. The rest is history and Veal has continued to produce teams that are disciplined and hard working on the field. He believes in taking talent and adapting the system to get the most out of his players. Veal has a strong conviction regarding developing a servant leader mentality in his players. He explains, “One of the five NAIA Champions of Character traits is servant leadership. Jesus was the ultimate role model of that trait. The original Saints, the disciples, at first sought to be the greatest among each other and Jesus taught them otherwise when He said, “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28)

Rodger Garner - Assistant Coach

Rodger rejoins Aquinas this year as both the men's and women's goalkeeping coach. Rodger also currently serves as the varsity assistant head coach at East Kentwood HS for both men and women. EK's boys team has won the Division 1 state championship 3 times in the last 5 years. Many of his keepers have earned all-state honors and continued their careers at both the collegiate and professional levels. Rodger played at the University of Dayton before playing professionally for the indoor Dayton Dynamo, and semi pro with several teams. His youth coaching experience includes 2 State Cup championships and several league championships. He has also served as the director of coaching for two youth clubs.

Rodger's son Matt, attended Aquinas and was a standout tennis and soccer player. Rodger says, "Aquinas represents all that is right with higher education. They strive to be the best both academically and athletically. Both soccer programs are run by coaches who care immensely about each player more as a person than as a soccer player."