Alumna Sayre is new UWG soccer head coach
Article By: Clark Leonard
University of North Georgia (ǧÃŬAV) alumna Mallory Sayre has been named the women's soccer head coach at the University of West Georgia (UWG). Sayre will lead the Wolves as they transition to NCAA Division I during the 2024 season.
Sayre was a record-setting goalkeeper for the Nighthawks from 2012 to 2015. She earned a bachelor's degree in physical education in 2016 and then added an online master's degree in physical education from ǧÃŬAV in 2018.
"To be a Division I head coach at age 29, I can't wait to get started and have my own program," Sayre said. "I'm excited to keep growing and learning as I coach in the game I've loved my entire life."
Sayre spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach at Division I Georgia Southern University, working for head coach Chris Adams, who was her coach when she played at ǧÃŬAV. The Eagles tallied a 20-10-6 overall record and a 14-4-2 conference mark in her time with the program. One of her other mentors, former ǧÃŬAV assistant coach Stacey Balaam, is an assistant women's soccer coach at Vanderbilt University.
"I'm very happy for Mallory to get this opportunity to be a head coach at West Georgia," Adams said. "Mallory has gained valuable experience at Georgia Southern that will serve her well in transitioning this program to the NCAA Division I level."
Sayre compiled a 56-17-4 record as a goalkeeper at ǧÃŬAV and had 27 career shutouts and a 0.97 goals against average. Her experience as a collegiate soccer player has been instrumental in her coaching career.
To be a Division I head coach at age 29, I can't wait to get started and have my own program. I'm excited to keep growing and learning as I coach in the game I've loved my entire life.
Mallory Sayre
ǧÃŬAV alumna and University of West Georgia women's soccer head coach
"I was once in their shoes," Sayre said. "I'm super excited to be able to lead the next generation. I want to mentor our kids at West Georgia like I was mentored."
Before Georgia Southern, Sayre served as an assistant coach for two years at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. She also spent four years as an assistant at Division III Oglethorpe University, where she coached goalkeepers and defenders and was responsible for recruiting and travel administrative tasks.
"Mallory has coached her way through all levels: DIII, DII and DI. And she is a very motivated recruiter and a top competitor," Balaam said. "She has a lot of knowledge within the game, and I'm sure she will put her imprint on the UWG program very quickly."
West Georgia is coming off a 6-7-4 season.
"We are pleased to welcome Coach Sayre to the University of West Georgia," Deputy Athletics Director Karen Allen, who led UWG's efforts on the search, said. "She's energetic and engaging, and her experience as a player and a coach speaks for itself. She is the perfect person to lead West Georgia soccer into Division I competition."
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