The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Summer Perala Named Head Coach At Eastern Illinois
3/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
March 12, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB women's soccer associate head coach Summer Perala has been tabbed as the new head coach of the Eastern Illinois women's soccer program. The position will be the first head coaching job for Perala, who has spent the past six seasons with the Blazers.
"I'm very excited to become the head coach of the Eastern Illinois women's soccer program," said Perala. "Having played collegiate soccer in the state, I am very aware of the tradition and success the EIU program has had, and I look forward to guiding this program back to that level of success.
"I am very thankful to the EIU search committee for giving me this opportunity," Perala added. "I would also like to thank the UAB administration and head coach Paul Harbin for their support."
Perala has served on Harbin's staff for six seasons, including four as an assistant coach and the past two as the associate head coach. She served an integral part in the Blazers claiming three Conference USA titles and two NCAA tournament bids during her tenure.
Perala helped guide UAB to a C-USA regular season championship in 2003, followed by a pair of league tournament titles in 2004 and 2006. The Blazers made the trip to the NCAA College Cup in '04 and '06.
Serving as the primary recruiter and goalkeeper specialist for the Blazers, Perala played a key role in UAB tallying 48 shutouts over her six seasons. In addition, she also was the director for the UAB Girls Soccer Goalkeeper Camps.
"I'm incredibly proud of Summer and excited for her as well," said Harbin. "She has developed into one of the hardest working Division I assistants in the country, taking on and learning every aspect of running a program. There's no doubt in my mind that she will take that same work ethic with her to Eastern Illinois as their new head coach.
"Most importantly, Summer completely gets the big picture of college athletics. Not only will she be successful, but she will do it with utmost integrity. Eastern Illinois made an excellent decision in selecting her to lead their women's soccer program."
Perala is a 2002 graduate of Western Illinois University and spent the spring of 2003 as the head coach of the girls' varsity soccer team at Guilford High School in Rockford, Ill., where her team advanced to the state regional tournament.
Prior to coaching at Guilford, Perala served for one year as the student assistant/goalkeeper coach at Western Illinois.
"We'll miss having Summer here very much," said Harbin. "However, she will always remain a big part of our family at UAB."
