Potomac State College of West Virginia University had a need. Ray Kiddy, has a passion. Recently, the Cumberland, MD native was named as the Head Men's Soccer Coach at the College.
Kiddy becomes the fifth coach in the College's history. Potomac State added soccer during the 2000 season. The 52-year-old Kiddy brings with him some valued experience in Region XX having been the Allegany College of Maryland Head Coach in 2006 and 2007 where he amassed an 11-16-7 record. Those numbers are more impressive based on the fact that ACM had dropped 17 straight games prior to Kiddy’s arrival. ACM played just one game in 2005 and Kiddy was faced with basically starting over. For his work, Kiddy was named as the Region XX Coach of the year in 2006.
Kiddy graduated from Valley High School where he was honored as the Black Knights Most Valuable Player in 1975. He was an All-Region XX and All-Maryland JUCO conference selection at Allegany Community College in 1977.
Kiddy got an early start to his coaching career at Bishop Walsh High School while he was still a student at Frostburg State. He coached the Spartans for seven years and won three City and Bi-state titles. He also coached the Beall High School boys to the Area and Western Maryland Interscholastic League title in 2000. Kiddy was the Pepsi-Cola Dapper Dan High School Coach of the Year in 2000.
"Ray will be a great addition to our athletic staff, he brings experience and leadership skills that will provide a good foundation for our student athletes to grow and mature," said Potomac State Athletic Director Shawn White.
Kiddy will be entering his 32nd season of coaching when the Catamounts kick off their season this fall. Kiddy has also had stints at Allegany, Fort Hill and Mt. Savage High Schools, along with Catonsville Community College and the Indian University of Pennsylvania.
“I’m excited about this new challenge,” said Kiddy. “Potomac State wants to be successful and create a great athletic experience for their student athletes.”
Kiddy will face that same kind of rebuilding this time around as he tries to get Potomac State back to the heights they reached in 2006 when the Catamounts reached the NJCAA Division II Final Four. Potomac State opened the 2006 season ranked in the top 20 by the NJCAA, and rose to as high as 4th in the nation. The Catamounts then advanced to the Final Four.
In 2007 PSC advanced to the Region XX semi-finals before falling to Anne Arundel on penalty kicks. Since then Potomac State has been a floundering program in need of a jump start.
Kiddy hopes to provide that spark.
“Potomac State wants a good soccer product on the field,” Kiddy added. “I will begin recruiting immediately and we will commence with spring practices in April.” Anyone looking to join Kiddy and the Catamounts are encouraged to contact Coach Kiddy at 301-268-1606 or PSCSports@mail.wvu.edu
