Fellowship Christian's Trip Hughes Named Coach of the Year

Submitted by John Heid, sports information director at Fellowship Christian School

The National Soccer Coaches Association of America announced that Trip Hughes has been selected as the 2014 Georgia Private Girls State Coach of the Year.

Hughes, who has spent the last 17 years coaching soccer, guided four FCS teams to the GHSA Single A Final Four during his five-year stint as the school’s varsity girls soccer coach. The Lady Paladins (11-5 overall) fell 2-1 in double overtime to First Presbyterian Day School (FPD) of Macon in the state semifinals on May 14.

The Lady Paladins finished 2014 ranked No. 2 among Single A schools in the GHSA State Girls Soccer Rankings for the third straight year.

“I would truly like to say how blessed I have been as a coach,” Hughes said. “God has shown more grace upon my career than I could ever have imagined. I have had the absolute pleasure of working with some of the finest coaches in youth soccer, and also some of the most amazing players any coach could ask for. This award is an honor for me to receive on the heels of one of my best seasons ever, and was made even more special being awarded to me by my former high school coach.”

Under Hughes’ his direction and leadership, the Paladins enjoyed great success, including multiple trips to the GHSA State Tournament final four and the championship final in 2012. Hughes garnered coach of the year honors in 2013 from The Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce and XL212.

In honor of this accomplishment, Coach Hughes and other honorees will be recognized at the NSCAA High School Awards Brunch on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014 at the Lake Buena Vista Palace Hotel in Orlando, Fla. The ceremony is held annually in conjunction with the NSCAA Summer Soccer Symposium.

“The Fellowship family congratulates Coach Hughes for this outstanding honor,” Athletic Director Bryan Lindner said. ”He has done an outstanding job with our program, and it is nice to see his hard work acknowledged by NSCAA.”

Hughes retired following the 2014 season.