Georgia College

Georgia College Athletics
Campus Box 65 Milledgeville, GA 31061

Division 2 Georgia Southeast

Public Medium Competitive team

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Coaches

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Jack Marchant

Georgia College Director of Athletics Wendell Staton announced the appointment of Jack Marchant as the new head coach of Bobcat Soccer in July 2022.

Marchant is the fifth coach in GC Soccer history and joins Bobcat Nation after three seasons as assistant coach at Division I Georgia State University.

“I am extremely excited and beyond grateful for the opportunity to lead this program for Georgia College,” said Marchant. “I can’t thank Wendell, University President Cathy Cox and the entire Athletic Department enough for this opportunity. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.”

Over his three seasons in Atlanta, the Panthers enjoyed a successful turnaround, compiling 28 victories, including berths in the Sun Belt Conference Semifinals all three seasons. He helped guide Panther players to 10 All-Sun Belt honors in those three seasons.

“We are thrilled that Jack Marchant will be leading our Soccer program,” said Staton. “Jack aligns perfectly with Georgia College and will provide an outstanding student-athlete experience centered around academic, community, and athletic excellence. He is personable, exudes positive energy, and has a relentless work ethic. Throughout the process it was consistently clear that he is of the highest ethical fiber, is a team player, and cares deeply about student-athletes. Jack is a perfect fit for Georgia College, and it feels like he has been here for many years.”

Marchant is also the current head coach for the Georgia Revolution in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).

Prior to his work on the Panthers’ coaching staff, he spent two seasons as an assistant at another Division I program in The Citadel. Marchant also spent one season at Division II Anderson University and was also involved in the Clemson Anderson Soccer Alliance, overseeing the development of the club’s goalkeepers.

His first coaching opportunity came at his alma mater, the University of Rio Grande. Working as goalkeepers coach for the men’s team, he helped lead the Red Storm to the second round of the NAIA National Tournament, coached eight players that took Mid-South All-Conference honors, and coached his goalkeeper to two NAIA All-American awards.

During his playing days, Marchant and the Red Storm made five appearances in the NAIA National Tournament, reaching the semifinals twice and the finals once. A 2012 All-American, he also earned a pair of all-conference honors.

Marchant earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management in 2012 and added master’s degrees in both Business Administration and Education from Rio Grande as well.

The Leeds, England, native played three seasons for Hull City A.F.C as a youth and competed in the FA Youth Cup before moving to the United States in 2008.

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Dr. Joanne Spalding

Dr. Joanne Spalding begins season number two as assistant coach with Bobcat Soccer. Spalding joins the Bobcats after working at Division I East Tennessee State University as an assistant coach for eight seasons. In her first season at ETSU, Spalding helped the Bucs to a 15-6 overall record including a 9-2 record in conference play. The 15 wins was the most in program history. Spalding assisted the Bucs offense that led the NCAA in scoring, goals and assists.

Prior to her time at ETSU, she was an assistant at Averett University from 2008-13. Spalding helped lead the Cougars to four consecutive seasons of 12 or more victories (2010-13). In 2010, Averett won a program-best 13 matches en route to advancing to the program's first ever USA South Conference Tournament championship game appearance. In 2012, Spalding was an integral part of Averett's first ever USA South Conference title, helping guide the Cougars to their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance.

A native of Erskine, Scotland, Spalding graduated with honors from Northeastern State University (Okla.) in 2008 with a degree in health and human performance, and a minor in psychology. Spalding earned her master of business degree from Averett in 2010 and a PhD in Sport Physiology and Performance at ETSU in 2020. Spalding enjoyed a successful playing career while at NSU, starting all four years, in addition to serving as team captain for two seasons. Prior to attending NSU, Spalding attended the National Women's Football Academy in Durham, England.