March 22, 2016 ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - Chris Cummings, who has spent the past two years as a volunteer assistant coach for the women's soccer team, has been promoted to assistant coach, UCF's head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak announced Tuesday.
Cummings will primarily work with UCF's goalkeepers. As recruiting coordinator, he will help to identify and bring in top talent from around the country.
"I'm thankful to Tiff and Tim for giving me this opportunity, and I'm excited to continue working with the Knights," Cummings said. "We've enjoyed some success together already, and I know that we have so much more to give. I'm looking forward to helping the team contend for championships and continue to not only compete against, but also rank among the best teams in the country."
In 2015, Cummings helped freshman Vera Varis earn all-rookie distinction with her 11-5-2 record. Her lights-out performance in UCF's American Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinal and semifinal matches warranted her a spot on the all-tournament team.
In his first season as part of the staff in 2014, Connie Organ was named the American Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Year. Organ ranked second on UCF's single-season shutout leaders with 12, and she ranked 11th in the country for goals-against average (.568) while helping UCF capture the American's regular season championship.
"Chris has shown his dedication to our program, and I am confident he will continue to develop our goalkeepers to meet the standard we expect from our players," Roberts Sahaydak said.
In addition to his work with UCF, Cummings has served as the goalkeeper coach for the Jamaican Women's National Team since September 2014. His experience includes the 2014 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying Tournament, the 2015 Olympic qualifiers and the 2015 U-20 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying Tournament.
A 2010 (bachelor's) and 2013 (master's) graduate of Rollins College, he was a four-year letterwinner for the Tars' men's soccer team. He compiled a 3-0-2 record as a starter in 2007 and a 3-1 mark in 2010.
He went on to serve as a graduate assistant for the men's program and helped guide the team to a Sunshine State Conference Tournament title in 2012 and an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance that year. In addition, Cummings and Rollins goalkeeper coach Joe Raymond guided goalkeeper Keneil Baker to All-SSC Second Team honors and NSCAA All-Region First Team laurels.
In 2013, he pulled double duty for the Tars' men's and women's programs as the volunteer goalkeeper coach. That year, the men's team advanced to the Elite 8 while the women captured the SSC Tournament championship and had a run to the Sweet 16. Under Cummings' and Raymond's tutelage, keepers Mary Spring (All-SSC Second Team) and Baker (First Team Daktronics All-South) were both individually honored for their efforts during their respective campaigns.