 | Chris Easton Women's Varsity Assistant Coach Office Phone: 641-784-5081 e-mail: ceaston@graceland.edu |
Chris Easton begins his first season at Graceland University as assistant coach of the women's soccer team. Easton began playing competitive soccer for his local side Linlithgow Rose Boys Club in 1995 where he played predominantly as goalkeeper, but also in a number of outfield positions. He was voted MVP on 3 occasions during his 4 year tenure at the club. Easton continued as goalkeeper for Glasgow University between 1999-2004 picking up a further two MVP awards in the process. Easton was appointed captain and then coach of Glasgow University 3rd XI in 2003. Upon graduating from University, Easton started his own amateur soccer team, Glasgow Graduates Football Club (www.ggfc.co.uk) who under his guidance have gained promotion twice in the last three years and now participate in the Premier Division of the West of Scotland Amateur League.
Easton also holds a 1st class BSc honours degree in physiology and sports science and a PhD in exercise physiology from the University of Glasgow, UK. He has conducted numerous research studies in the fields of exercise and clinical physiology and has several publications in peer reviewed journals. Easton's studies have taken him round the world including memorable trips to Nigeria, Kenya and Ethiopia. His most memorable achievement to date was his active participation in the preparation of elite east African athletes for the World Athletics Championships in 2005 and 2007. He has also provided sports science support to a number of amateur competitive cyclists and runners since 2003. Easton will combine his time as assistant women's soccer coach with a faculty position in the Department of Health and Movement Sciences at Graceland University.
Outside the work environment he enjoys reading, cooking and participating in various sports including golf, basketball and running. Easton's major passion is following the Scottish national soccer team to matches home and abroad with thousands of other supporters known as 'The Tartan Army'. He was amongst the 25,000 supporters who made the trip to Paris last year to see the Scottish side defeat world cup finalists France on their own turf. His dream remains for Scotland to qualify for the next world cup finals in South Africa, 2010.
