Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

PREP SOCCER:

Arbelaez soccer coaching legacy ends at Bishop Gorman

Nick Arbelaez

Richard Brian

Bishop Gorman soccer coach Nick Arbelaez instructs his team during a practice at the Kellogg-Zaher Soccer Complex.

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Head Coach Nick Arbelaez receives the championship plaque for beating Clark High School during the Sunset Regional boys soccer championship at Bettye Wilson Soccer Fields on Nov. 9, 2008.

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Bishop Gorman soccer coach Nick Arbelaez poses outside of the Kellogg-Zaher Soccer Complex.

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Nick Arbelaez has resigned as the boys soccer coach at Bishop Gorman.

Arbelaez, 28, took over the Gaels in 2006 for his ailing father, Victor Arbelaez, who lost a battle with cancer in October 2007.

Arbelaez said he quit coaching at Gorman to pursue his dream of becoming a college coach and to further concentrate on attaining a graduate degree in sports therapy from UNLV.

He said he has been mulling over the decision since the Gaels were eliminated from the state semifinals by Reno's Galena on Nov. 14. Arbelaez said he informed the school of his resignation Jan. 13.

"It came to the point where I decided if I don't do it now, I will end up waiting too long down the road," Arbelaez said. "I am at peace with my decision and have faith that whoever takes over the program will do a good job. It was absolutely my decision."

Gorman Athletic Director Peter Weinburgh said Gorman is expected to finalize a search committee for a new soccer coach Friday. He said the school would like to have a new coach in place by April 1.

"That's our target date, but we'll continue until we find the right person," Weinburgh said. "The process will be very thorough and we will get the right person at Bishop Gorman."

Arbelaez said he would continue to coach locally as an assistant for Neusport Football Club's 92 and 93 boys teams and will attempt to upgrade his coaching license during coaching clinics in California within the next six months. He also said he would like to break into coaching at the collegiate level within the next four years.

Arbelaez won state championships in his initial two seasons coaching Gorman's boys team in 2006 and 2007. He also was a co-head coach of the girls team with Lora Feely for two seasons before Feely took over the team on her own this season.

Arbelaez played soccer at Gorman for his father, Victor, from 1996 to 1999. Victor Arbelaez started coaching the boys and girls soccer teams at Gorman in 1985. He amassed a 371-31-8 record and 12 state championships, six with the boys team and six with the girls team.

Arbelaez said it was sad to leave the program his father built.

"I'm an alumni and I loved every minute at Gorman," Arbelaez said. "I definitely want to thank all the families and the kids. Without them, there is no success. It was an honor to be on the sideline, and I will forever cheer for Gorman. I'll look back years from now and know this was one huge stepping stone to my ultimate goal."

Christopher Drexel can be reached at 990-8929 or [email protected].

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