Glenn Campbell

ALPENA — Glenn Campbell, a longtime Alpena Public Schools educator and soccer coach, is taking on a new challenge: launching and leading the first-ever women’s soccer team at Alpena Community College.

Campbell brings more than four decades of experience to the role, including 25 years as a teacher and coaching both the boys’ and girls’ soccer teams at Alpena High School. He also coached travel teams and played college soccer at Spring Arbor.

Now, he’s stepping into a historic position as ACC builds its women’s soccer program from the ground up.

“It is always exciting and challenging to start a new team,” Campbell said. “It’s a great opportunity to have college soccer as an option in northern Michigan.”

Campbell is no stranger to starting from scratch. In 1982, he coached the very first Alpena High School boys soccer team, and in 1996, he helped launch the girls program, which went 55-25-8 during his tenure through 2000. He also founded the first boys travel soccer team in Alpena in 2001.

“I have learned through my experiences — including my mistakes — what it takes to successfully coach a first-year team,” he said.

Campbell is realistic about the challenges ahead. Recruiting at this stage is tough, as many college-bound athletes have already committed to programs. However, his focus for the inaugural season is on fitness, effort, and growth.

“This first season, we plan to be in shape and play hard no matter who we are up against,” he said. “Effort can beat skill.”

Looking ahead, Campbell sees potential for development through improved recruiting and player development.

“We need players who will compete hard no matter what their skill level,” he said. “Next year and beyond, we’ll work to raise our skill level.”

As he prepares to lead the new program, Campbell expressed gratitude for the opportunity.

“I appreciate this chance to be a successful coach in this wonderful sport — with God’s help,” he said.

Campbell will work alongside Nick Fletcher, who plans to lead the first-ever men’s soccer program at ACC.

According to a post on ACC’s Facebook page, both teams are still looking for recruits and scholarships are available. Interested athletes can submit their information on the Athletics website at acclumberjacks.com/recruits/questionnaire.