Millikin University Men's Soccer

Charlie Ward joined the Millikin Athletic Department as the Head Men's Soccer Coach in December 2023. Ward became the first coach in Big Blue men's soccer history to record a 10-win season in his first year at the helm of the Millikin program with a 10-5-2 record. He helped lead the Big Blue to an appearance in the CCIW Tournament for the first time since 2002, earning a bid to host as the #4 seed in the tournament. Under Ward's direction, three Big Blue players were named CCIW All-Conference selections and Nacho Diaz was a repeat United Soccer Coaches All-Region honoree.  Prior to Millikin, Ward was an assistant at the University of Illinois-Springfield where the squad posted a 13-1-7 record, making the NCAA Division II Tournament. Ward coached Andrea Scapolo, who was named the Goalkeeper of the Year by the Midwest Region's sports information directors, the first one from the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The UIS staff was named the Regional Coaching Staff of the Year in the Midwest by the United Soccer Coaches.  Before UIS, Ward served a two-year stint as a graduate assistant at Upper Iowa, graduating in May of 2023 with his Master's of Business Administration. He began his coaching career with the Brazilian Soccer School in 2013 before joining the Arsenal Academy Pathway two years later. During his time with Arsenal, Ward worked with youth players developing their skills and pushing them towards academy trials.  Graduating from Southampton Solent University with a Bachelor’s degree in football (soccer) studies, Ward also saw time as the goalkeeping coach for AFC Fawley. He currently holds the English FA Level 2 coaching license along with other talent identification certifications. Ward also worked as a Director of Coach Education for Rochester City (2020-2021).   

Mitchell Paquette joined the Millikin Men's Soccer staff in August 2022 as a Graduate Assistant Coach under head coach Paul Anderson.    Paquette comes to Millikin from Claremont, New Hampshire where he was involved in coaching for various local clubs and recreation youth soccer programs. As well as playing for four years at NCAA Division 3 Colby Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire until graduating in May 2022.    Paquette most recently coached at Lighting SC during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. He assisted with the U-19, U-12, and U10 boys teams along with assisting in other club trainings throughout that time. During the 2020 season, he also took on some administrative tasks as an administrative assistant for the club.   Paquette graduated from Colby Sawyer College in May 2022 with a bachelor's degree in Sport Management and also graduated with a coaching certification through Colby Sawyer.