Potter Announces Additions to Soccer Staff

NORMAN — Oklahoma head soccer coach Matt Potter announced changes to his staff for the 2016 season on Wednesday, including the addition of Alexis Vizarelis and Brandi Vega as assistant coaches and Caroline DeFelice as the program's director of operations.

ALEXIS VIZARELIS

Vizarelis joins the Sooners after serving as the assistant coach for both the men's and women's soccer programs at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha, Okla., since 2002 following his playing career at the same school. At OU, Vizarelis will serve as goalkeeper coach.

“We are pleased to welcome Alexis and his family to our program and soccer family,” Potter said. “Alexis has had a distinguished playing and coaching career and brings a wealth of knowledge to the program. He will be a wonderful asset to our student-athletes as he cares about the complete person. This clearly came across in the interview process and has been endorsed by many in the coaching community.

“Alexis will work with our goalkeepers and is highly thought of in those circles having worked with national youth players and professional players,” Potter continued. “Alexis has made a positive and immediate impact within the staff and we look forward to a bright future for both the season to come and beyond.”

During Vizarelis' tenure, the USAO men's team accumulated a 265-65-14 overall record, winning the Sooner Athletic Conference in eight seasons (2003, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015). The team qualified for the NAIA National Championship seven times, advancing as a quarterfinalist in two of those years. USAO's women's team won the Sooner Athletic Conference in both 2011 and 2015, also earning spots in the NAIA National Championship those seasons. In total, Vizarelis coached 48 Sooner Athletic All-Conference honorees, 22 Academic All-Americans and 13 NAIA All-Americans in his time with the Drovers.

Vizarelis has also enjoyed success as a coach at the youth competitive club level. Since 2005, he has served as head coach of the Oklahoma Football Club, leading multiple squads to state championships. Vizarelis also coached the 2015 Southern Regional Premier League Champions and has led teams to top-three finishes in the Premier League West in each of the last three years. He was recently named the 2016 OSA Girl's Competitive Coach of the Year.

Additionally, Vizarelis has served in roles with Oklahoma Youth Soccer as the OFC Director of Goalkeeping since 2005, Rayo Oklahoma City (NASL) as the goalkeeper coach for the men's first team and with the Oklahoma City Football Club (OKCFC) of the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) as head coach.

In 2013, Vizarelis obtained a national “A” coaching license from the United States Soccer Federation.

A native of Chemsford, Essex, near London, Vizarelis graduated from USAO with a Bachelor of Science in physical education and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 2003. He was a five-time member of the USAO Honor Roll.

As a player, Vizarelis is one of the most decorated goalkeepers in USAO's history, at one time holding every school goalkeeping record. For his career, he noted 21 shutouts and was inducted into the school's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006. Vizarelis accolades include NAIA All-American Scholar Athletic (2000, 2001), NAIA All-American Team (1999, 2001), NAIA All-Conference Team Red River (1998, 1999, 2000) and NAIA All-Region/All-District (2000). Throughout his career, he also played for the Arsenal Youth Football Club, Charlton Athletic Youth Football Club, Tonbridge Angels Football Club and Canvey Island Football Club.

“The University of Oklahoma is an institution that is committed to excellence both academically and in sports,” Vizarelis said. “I would like to thank Joe Castiglione, Matt Potter, Lindy Roberts and the entire OU administration for giving me the opportunity to challenge myself as a coach and join a vision that is moving in a very exciting direction. It is a privilege to represent the University of Oklahoma and become a Sooner. I'm looking forward to joining such a highly-regarded academic and athletic institution."

“Matt has a great vision in regards to what he wants the soccer program to achieve, and I am very much looking forward to representing a program I've always admired,” Vizarelis continued. “I am extremely blessed, honored and motivated to get to work with this staff and gifted student-athletes. Furthermore, I appreciably look forward to contributing to a successful period in the women's soccer program here at OU.”

Vizarelis and his wife, Janice, have two children, Dimitri Cruz (age five) and Darci Mae (age three weeks).

BRANDI VEGA

After serving as a volunteer coach in 2015, Vega has assumed the role of assistant coach for the upcoming season.

Vega enjoyed a successful collegiate career at Washington State from 2009-12, playing under Potter for three of those seasons. She finished in the top 10 of a variety of career statistical categories for the Cougars, including games played (tied for third with 80), game-winning goals (third with eight), points (sixth with 55), career goals (sixth with 21) and assists (eighth with 13).

“Brandi represents all that is great in a student-athlete,” Potter said when Vega joined the staff last season. “Brandi played in a premier conference in the Pac-12, was decorated with awards as a player and now has turned to coaching having just finished playing in Spain.

“Our student-athletes have the opportunity to learn from someone who has succeeded as a player and in academics and has a working understanding of how we run a program,” Potter continued. “Brandi will be a great coach in the future and we will do well to keep her here. In the meantime, we will immerse her in the program, make her available to our current athletes and help her grow as a coach of the future.”

Some of Vega's awards include NSCAA All-Pacific Region team (second team in 2011, third team in 2012), All-Pac-12 honors (first team in 2011, second team in 2012), Inland Northwest Soccer News 2012 Women's Second Best XI and 2010 Pac-10 honorable mention.

Vega played professionally for the Vancouver Whitecaps, Bay Area Breeze and most recently with the Premier League's Oviedo Moderno in Spain.

A Carson City, Nev., native, Vega was a four-time First Team All-Sierra League selection at Carson High School. She led the team in assists all four years and was the leader in goals for her junior and senior seasons. Vega holds the Nevada 4A state record for assists and goals and was named the 4A Sierra League Player of the Year four times.

"I am beyond excited to continue my time here at the University of Oklahoma as an assistant," Vega said. "I am grateful for the opportunity and continued support Matt Potter has given me throughout my career. I am appreciative of the whole athletic administration, especially athletic director Joe Castiglione for allowing me the opportunity to continue my growth as a coach at such a prestigious university. I look forward to contributing to the success of the program and helping the student-athletes fulfill their goals."

CAROLINE DEFELICE

This season, DeFelice joins the Sooners as director of operations. DeFelice is working as a graduate assistant while she pursues her Masters of Education in Adult and Higher Education with an emphasis in Intercollegiate Athletic Administration through the University of Oklahoma.

“Caroline joins us as our director of operations. The role is an instrumental part of our success and with her experience both in college and the NFL, in daily operations, Caroline will be a great asset to the staff and program as a whole,” Potter said. “Caroline has a great personality and enthusiasm for people and a passion for the position. We are excited to have her onboard and look forward to the impact she can make in both the short- and long-term success of the program.”

A native of Hamilton, Mass., DeFelice is a 2012 graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she earned a Bachelor's of Science in sports management and minored in French Studies. Additionally, she studied abroad in France through the SKEMA Business School's semester program and also completed NYU's Spring in New York Program in media and public life.

While in college, DeFelice worked with the UMass football team for four seasons. She has a variety of experience at the NFL level, with internships ranging from serving as the intern for the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation to working as a media relations training camp intern for the Buffalo Bills. DeFelice has also held internships with the Kraft Sports Group, NBC Sports and Olympics and the Miami Dolphins. She also served as an account executive for IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions for Boston College Athletics and most recently worked in team operations for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“I couldn't be more excited and thankful for the opportunity to work under Coach Potter and his staff,” DeFelice said. “When I first met Coach, I was immediately attracted to his coaching philosophy and leadership style which I hope to be able to emulate. He brings an energy every day that is contagious and he sets the tone to exceed expectations. Having a passion for team operations, I am always eager for the challenge to bring a team to new heights concerning multiple areas on and off the field. Finally, to be a part of the University of Oklahoma Athletics Department is truly an honor and as a young sports professional I strive to learn from and represent the very best in college sports.”

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