KANSAS CITY – The Saginaw Valley State University men's soccer coaching staff was named the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Staff of the Year by the United Soccer Coaches on Friday. The award was voted upon by coaches in the Midwest region who are members of the United Soccer Coaches College Services program.

"Very happy to win such a prestigious award." Head coach Louis Barrow said, "Very proud of my staff as it's those guys which make winning these awards possible. They are selfless, hard-working and brilliant people. Lastly, thank you to the players. They are the reason we come to work every day. Those guys make us look good!"

Barrow and his staff led the Cardinals to a share of the GLIAC regular season title along with a GLIAC tournament title after winning in PKs against Roosevelt, the team they shared the regular season title with. Saginaw Valley had six named to All-GLIAC teams including Jayden Cameron, Jonny Monney, Anthony Waller, Mzo Mthembu, Nick Kay, and Oleksiy Kharko. Cameron was also named to the D2CCA All-Midwest Region Second Team.

SVSU is 14-5-2 on the year and continues their season after reaching the NCAA DII Quarterfinals for the first time since 2012. Saginaw Valley advanced past Rogers State in the second round on PKs 4-2. In the third round, the Cardinals defeated Tiffin 2-1, the second victory over the Dragons this season. The team hosts McKendree on Saturday, December 7 at 1:00 PM EST for their Quarterfinal matchup.

The SVSU coaching staff will now advance to the National Staff of the Year Ballot. Voting will take place this month, and the winner will be announced on December 20, 2024.

The presentation of the staff of the Year plaque will take place at the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Chicago, Illinois on Thursday, January 9, 2025.