Kansas City, Mo. – After leading his team to their first-ever Red Banner in 2023, University of the Cumberlands head coach Steve Hamilton was named the 2023 Select Sport America NAIA Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year. This marks the first time Hamilton has received this honor in his career.

Hamilton led his team to their fifth national tournament appearance in 2023; where they allowed only one goal through five games. After knocking off the defending national champions of Spring Arbor (Mich.) in the semifinals back on December 2, 2023, third-seeded Cumberlands (Ky.) battled with the top-seeded William Carey (Miss.) in the championship match. Proceeding 110 minutes of play, the Patriots finished off the final game securing the penalty kick shootout victory, 3-2, claiming the 2023 NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship trophy.

Throughout the regular season, Cumberlands (Ky.) was a staple in the top five, climbing as high as No. 2 in the first regular season rating back on September 6, 2023, before holding steady at No. 3 in the nation for the remainder of the season. Being ranked in the top 5 for the majority of 2023, it marked the second consecutive season coach Hamilton, and his team has been a top 5 team nationally.

In addition to the first title for the Patriots, Hamilton also coached a pair of All-Americans in 2023 with first-team honoree, Jayden Boelter, and second-team honoree, Carola Fontan.

The 2023 Select Sport America-NAIA National Coach of the Year is voted on by the NAIA Women’s Soccer Coaches Association and is announced at the annual National Convention. To be eligible, a head coach must be selected as their conference or unaffiliated group coach of the year or lead their team to the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship Final Site.