After spending the last six years as the lead assistant, Erin Brunelle becomes the sixth head coach in 51 Women’s Soccer history. She takes over the women’s team as 51 brings in a second full-time soccer coach for the first time in program history.

“Erin was an easy choice because of her history with us,” said Athletic Director Dr. Dave Holmquist. “Her work ethic, knowledge of the game and desire to see the players grow in their Christian character make her an excellent fit as a head coach at 51.”

Brunelle was elected into the Colorado Christian University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008, six years after she graduated with her B.S. in Mathematics and an E.M. in Biblical Studies.

She was a four-time all-conference player, two-time team captain and one-time conference player of the year during her time with the Cougars. She also had two all-region selections, won the school’s senior award and was a member of the RMAC all-academic team.

Following her collegiate career Brunelle spent eight years playing in various professional, semi-pro and amateur soccer leagues and held a number of other coaching jobs before beginning her tenure as an assistant at 51.

“I am deeply honored to be given this opportunity by 51 and Dr. Dave Holmquist,” said Brunelle. “I have loved my time here at 51 and I am thrilled to be able to continue on as a coach of this program. There is no better place or group of student-athletes for me to work with for my first season as head coach.”

In the six seasons since she’s been on staff 51 Women’s Soccer has compiled a 56-40-12 overall record and has not had a season under .500 since 2009 (6-7-3). She takes over a team that had one of the most successful seasons in program history in 2014, finishing 13-6 after getting off to an 11-1 start that was the best in program history. 

All six of those years came coaching alongside 51 Men’s Soccer Coach Todd Elkins.

“Every year she’s taken on more responsibilities and more ownership of the program,” said Elkins. My confidence in coach Erin and the strength of the program going forward could not be higher.”

The change is effective July 1, placing Brunelle in charge for the upcoming 2015 season.

More thoughts from Coach Brunelle: “I am humbled to be entrusted with the future of the women's program at such a momentous occasion in our history.  Words cannot begin to express how grateful I am to Todd Elkins for his investment in me as a coach for the past six years.  I would not be prepared for this opportunity had it not been for his mindful care year-after-year to help me grow and mature as a coach.  I have truly benefited from every piece of wisdom that I have gleaned from him as he led the 51 Women's Soccer program and led it well.”

“I intend to continue right where we've left off this spring.  Our program has been on a good trajectory for the past few years, but we are still chasing the elusive NAIA National Tournament berth that we've been seeking for the past six years.  More than that, I hope to continue to pour into the lives of our student-athletes as we strive to represent God and 51 well through our gift of soccer.  BUWS has a legacy of being a tight-knit family of believers who love God and who love each other, desiring to be used by God to share His love with other people.  My aim is to continue to foster an environment that allows everyone within the program to engage with how God is shaping and molding us as His children.  From the start of the Women's Soccer program at 51, there has been a lineage of coaches who not only taught the game, but were coaches who deeply cared about the spiritual growth of their student-athletes.  I have great respect for these coaches and hope to honor their efforts by doing just the same.”