A Legendary Coach

The key to her success, says Women’s Soccer Coach Julie Woodward, ‘93—now in her 30th year coaching—starts with the relationships she builds with players. 

“I believe you get more out of these young women if they know you care about them and you believe in them and you'll be with them,” says Woodward, the winningest coach in SU history. “There's no greater joy than watching them grow and mature, not just as soccer players, but as people. I think the relationship piece is the biggest reason I coach.” 

For every arc this product of West Seattle has observed in her players and staff, she has likewise observed her own arc. For as much winning as she has seen, a staggering margin of 373-169-73 as of early October, comes with a ration of losing. For all the changes she has seen in her players, over the span of three decades she, too, has changed. 

“I've gained a lot of perspective in terms of losing the longer I've been here,” she says. “I think when I was a younger coach, the losing would stay in my brain probably longer than it needed to.” 

A standout athlete at Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien, Wash., Woodward has rarely had to grapple with losing. She graduated from SU as a two-time All-American after leading her team to the 1993 NAIA tournament semifinals. 

“I am extremely competitive, sometimes to a fault,” she says. “And I think coaching, after I was done with my playing career, gives me a secondary way to channel that competitiveness, which I love.” 

A Standout On and Off the Field  

Former women’s soccer Coach Betsy Duerksen arrived on campus in 1991 to discover the captain she inherited, Woodward, was the real deal—talented athlete, fierce competitor and natural leader. However, Woodward had another aspect of her personality that set her even further apart—a kindness and loyalty to the people around her.  

“She’s just a likable person, she has a great, positive personality, she lights up the room,” Duerksen says. 

When a job arose at the University of Montana to start a women’s soccer program, Duerksen left for Missoula and took the newly graduated Woodward with her.  

“In my brain, I was thinking, ‘How am I ever going to be a coach? If people don't listen to me or don't do things correctly, I will have zero tolerance for them,’” recalls Woodward. “I do think Betsy saw something in me because I never thought I wanted to be a coach.” 

After three years as an assistant at Montana, Woodward returned to SU as head coach.  

 “Seattle University has a great perspective about developing young people into young adults and it correlates with Julie’s philosophy,” says Duerksen. “She wants to be a part of something bigger than soccer.” 

A Love for the Game + the Mission  

As the coach who has won the most games in school history, you can imagine Woodward does not like to lose. But with time and experience came the wisdom that without failure there is no growth. 

“You can't be winning and everything's easy and everyone's on board and we're all having fun,” she says. “And then when you lose, you completely fall apart.” 

Vice President for Athletics Shaney Fink attributes Woodward's longevity at Seattle University to a genuine love for what she does, from the game of soccer and the spirit of competition to her commitment to her student athletes and their growth. 

“Thirty years later, she still brings the same energy, commitment and passion to the role,” says Fink, “because she believes in the mission of Seattle University and feels privileged to be part of it.”