Coach Spotlight: Women's Soccer Head Coach Tony Amato

After winning the prestigious Sunshine State Conference Coach of the Year Award in 2008, Rollins women’s soccer Head Coach Tony Amato has continued with another successful season.

Amato, who graduated from Rollins in 2000, was arguably one of the best soccer players for Rollins of all time. He was the first Rollins player to ever receive the Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year award, which he accomplished by leading the conference in scoring. He is still ranked among Rollins career leaders in goals, assists and points.

Amato knew that he wanted to become a coach, even before he graduated from Rollins.

“Soccer has had such a big impact on my life. As I grew up coaches had a huge impact on my development as a person and I wanted to make a career of soccer for the impact it had on me,” said Amato.

Amato continued his education by getting his master’s degree at the University of Central Florida (UCF). During his time at UCF, Amato was the assistant coach for the Rollins women’s soccer team. After three years of serving as assistant coach, Amato was offered the position of head coach. 

During his six years as head coach, Amato has built the women’s soccer team into one of the strongest teams in Rollins’ history. Last year was the first year that the women’s soccer team was undefeated in the conference. Currently, the women’s soccer team is undefeated in the conference for the second consecutive year. The win against Florida Southern (3-0) marks the second straight Sunshine State Conference (SSC) title for the team and Rollins will be hosting the SSC tournament November 6 and 8 at Barker Family Stadium. The men also won the conference title and will be traveling to Tampa. Follow up on Amato and the Women’s Soccer team at rollinssports.com.

-Michaela Cooper (Class of 2011)