Rock Valley College Athletics

Rock Valley College has selected Kevan Watkins as its next Head Women's Soccer coach. Watkins has more than 20 years of coaching soccer across all levels of the collegiate game, ODP, high school, and club soccer. He holds a United States Soccer B License and an Advanced National Diploma, GK Level 2, and various special topic diplomas through United Soccer Coaches.

The 2024-2025 season was another successful year for Rock Valley College Women's Soccer. The women continued to break many team and individual records through the year. The Golden Eagles finished 17-4-1 on the season setting a program record for the most wins in a season. Another team record was the 13 shutouts this season while only giving up 4 goals vs Region 4 competition with a +72 goal differential. They continued their 2-year 33 game unbeaten run in Region 4 competition on their way to becoming back-to-back Region 4 Champions and Midwest District Champions. Rock Valley was seeded #7 in the NJCAA DII National Tournament and finished the year ranked #6 for Junior Colleges in the United Soccer Coaches final national rankings poll. 

Emma Ambrose captain midfielder (10 goals, 16 assists) was named the Region 4 Tournament MVP, 1st Team All Region 4 Selection, NJCAA Second Team All-America Selection, and United Soccer Coaches All America Selection. Ambrose now holds the program record for career assists with 32. Last year's NJCAA DII leading goal scorer forward and captain Anika Elgin was able to return for the second half of the season scoring 11 goals and 6 assists in 11 starts. Elgin was a 1st Team All Region 4 Selection and a United Soccer Coaches All-America Selection. Other 1^st Team All-Region 4 Selections included Gisselle Farias (Defender), Isabelle Rivera (Forward), and Sydney Carlson (Defender). Head Women's Soccer Coach Kevan Watkins was named both the Region 4 and Midwest District Coach of the year. Goalkeeper Naitzy Garcia broke the single season shutout record with (13) and also maintains the career shutout record in goal (17). Garcia also cemented herself in program history finishing 3rd overall in single season (60) and career saves with (116). The coaching staff Kevan Watkins, Jose Alonso, and Brynn Jacobi were nominees for United Soccer Coaches National Staff of the Year. 

The 2023-2024 season was the first National Tournament Appearance, the first Region IV Championship, and Midwest District Championship in NJCAA DII. The women finished with a 16-4-3 record while scoring a program record 118 goals (5.13 a game) and breaking multiple individual and program records along the way. The Golden Eagles received their first NJCAA DII National Rankings and finished the year #16, and #12 in the United Soccer Coaches Junior College National Rankings. Anika Elgin finished top of the NJCAA DII with (36 goals – 13 assists – 85 points) and Jocelyn Harms finishing 4th in the NJCAA DII in overall points with (26 goals – 17 assists – 69 points). Four players collected Region IV 1^st Team Honors, Region IV player of the year, 1 NJCAA All-American, 1 United Soccer Coaches All-American, 1 NJCAA Player of the Week, 1 United Soccer Coaches Junior College Player of the Week, 2 United Soccer Coaches Junior College DII Women’s West All Region Selections, 1 United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American, 1 NJCAA All-Academic First Team, 1 NJCAA All-Academic Second Team, 2 NJCAA All-Academic Third Team selections, and 1 Theta Chi Alpha National Honor Society recipient. Watkins received the Region IV Coach of the Year and Midwest District Coach of the Year awards.

During the 2022-2023 season the Rock Valley College Women's Soccer Program rounded out their first season in NJCAA DII competition. The season saw 13 new additions join a core group of 7 from the 2021 season. The team finished 10-4 on the year, and qualified for the NJCAA DII Region IV tournament. The women scored 59 goals in 14 games averaging 4.21 goals a game falling just shy of the program record. The previous program record for goals in a season came in 2016 when the Golden Eagles scored 62 goals in 18 games. Three players were honored as NJCAA Region IV First Team Awards, one NJCAA All American - Honorable Mention, a NJCAA and United Soccer Coaches Player of the Week, two NJCAA Academic All Americans, and a Theta Chi Alpha National Honor Society recipient. 

Watkins started with the Rock Valley College Women's Soccer program in July of 2021. He helped grow the roster from 5 to 16 players in the first month at RVC. The program was able to finish with 3 wins and qualified for the NJCAA Region IV DIII Tournament. Two players received N4C Conference and All Region First Team Awards and four players received N4C Conference and All Region Second Team Awards. Three players were NJCAA Academic All-Americans and three Theta Chi Alpha National Honor Society recipients.

Watkins stays active coaching in the community with the Rockford Raptors. He worked with the United Women’s Soccer League team that entered the semi pro division in the 2024 season finishing 5-3 in league play. He also works with the U-23 team that competed in the IWSL and finishing the 2023 season as State Champions, Regional Champions, and finished 4th in the United States Adult Soccer National Tournament. The 2022 season saw the team finish as State Finalists, Region Champions, and competed in the National Tournament. Watkins also is currently a head staff coach working with the Rockford Raptors ECNL National League, Regional League, and Juniors programs.

Watkins served as a Head Staff Coach with Alabama Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program since 2013 working with both girls and boys programs. Watkins helped develop players for the state of Alabama and Region III, which identified two players for the youth National Team Pool and 28 players selected for the Region III Team in their respective age groups. Watkins has an extensive history in men's and women's soccer. He was the assistant men's soccer coach from 2004-2005 and in the Spring of 2011 at NCAA DI Stetson University. Watkins then worked as an assistant women's coach at Shorter University helping them transition from NAIA to NCAA DII. Program highlights include transitioning from NAIA (Southern States Athletic Conference) to NCAA Division II (Gulf South Conference). During this time helping the program to a historic record of 14-9 in first eligible season in NCAA DII. Coaching an NCAA DII and NCCAA 2nd team All American. NCCAA Region Champions and entrance to the National Tournament. 7 Players named CoSIDA Academic All District and 3 All Conference 1st Team. From 2018 to 2021 Watkins assisted with the NCAA DIII Berry College Men's Soccer program, which finished the 2019 season with a 9-8-2 record, and qualified for the SAC Tournament Semifinal. The season concluded with the following awards; 1 Division III All Region Second Team Selection, 1 Southern Athletic Association First Team selection and Conference Offensive Player of the Year, 2 Southern Athletic Conference Second Team Selections, 1 Southern Athletic Association Sportsmanship Team Selection, and 11 Southern Athletic Association Academic Honor Roll. The 2018 season saw the program finish with a record of 10-5-2. 5 All – Southern Athletic Association Conference selections. 1 Google Cloud Academic All – District Team selection. 

"I would like to thank Athletic Director Darin Monroe, President Dr. Spearman, and the search committee for trusting me with the opportunity to become the 2^nd women's soccer coach in Rock Valley College history. Soccer has always been a big part of my life and an aspect that I am passionate about. It has always held a special place in my heart, as it is the one thing that allowed me to instantly become part of a community no matter where I live."  Stated Kevan Watkins. 

"I would like to welcome Kevan Watkins, wife Melja, and children Kallia and Kayden to the Rock Valley College family" Athletic Director Darin Monroe said. "Kevan brings a wealth of experience to our Women's Soccer program having served in many capacities at all levels of college soccer. Kevan also has experience as a College Psychology Instructor, which will be extremely beneficial as we continue to move our department forward in a positive direction.  The future of our Women's Soccer program is very bright under Coach Watkins." 

Watkins also played the game at a high level competing in the Premier Development League, for Cocoa Expos, 2001 – 2004. In 2001 the Expos reached the Eastern Conference Final 2001 (Finalist) / Southeast Region Champions 2001. Exhibition games vs. MLS Tampa Bay Mutiny, MLS Miami Fusion, Haitian National Team, multiple USA U17 National Teams. Watkins also played NCAA Division I Men's Soccer at Stetson University, 1997 – 2001. He was 4-year starter and letter winner. 3- time qualifier for the Trans Athletic Conference Tournament. He recorded 20 Career Points (Assists and Goals).