ETOBICOKE, Ont. - After hoisting his third national outdoor
title, Germain Sanchez decided that the time was
right to say goodbye to the program that he built from the ground
up, 22 years ago. This retirement will mark the end of Humber's
longest and most successful coaching tenure. Germain will retire
with a career record of 282-60-30 and a .820 winning percentage
that is unmatched in OCAA soccer history.
Sanchez has collected three national titles (outdoor) and has
claimed 20 provincial gold medals (eight outdoor, 12 indoor). On
the outdoor pitch, he holds an astounding record of 191-38-19
(.830). On the indoor turf, he commands an equally impressive
record of 91-22-11 (.810).
While his teams won rings and banners, Sanchez also grabbed some
hardware of his own, as he was named CCAA national Coach of the
Year on two separate occasions (1995-96, 2001-02). He was also
recognized as the OCAA provincial coach of the year four times
(1995-96, 2001-02, 2006-07 and 2009-10).
Germain's success earned him a spot in the Humber Varsity Hall of
Fame in 2007. "We believe that once a coach achieves a certain
level of success and has amassed a large enough body of work, that
they should be inducted into the Hall of Fame," says Humber
Athletic Director, Doug Fox. "Germain has gone
above and beyond for the soccer program and for that he will
forever be remembered."
"My induction to Humber's Hall of Fame was a huge surprise and
an honour that I probably didn't deserve at the time," cites
Sanchez humbly.
This past year, an award was named after Germain to be given out
annually at the athletic banquet. The Germain Sanchez Award of
Distinction is presented to any student who has shown exceptional
athletic ability and dedication to his/her sport.
Aside from all the awards and accolades, the coach remembers how
the program started. "Over 20 years ago I signed a one-year
contract with Humber to see if we could re-start the men's varsity
soccer team," recants Sanchez fondly. "Today I can say that we not
only built a team, but we built a very strong and successful
program that has become one of the best varsity programs in the
country."
When asked what his favourite moment of his coaching career was,
the coach pointed out that this season was amongst the most
triumphant. "I had many favourite moments as a coach, but winning
this past national championship is at the top of the list. We had a
very young team and played against some very adverse odds and
conditions."
While Sanchez will no longer be called coach, he will still remain
with the team in a leadership role. Germain will still be very
involved in the recruiting and the managerial process.
"The Hawk Family has been my family and it will be a part of me for
the rest of my life."
Germain Sanchez By The Numbers
22 Years as Head Coach of Humber College Hawks Varsity
Men's Soccer Team
Overall Coaching Record: 287-61-30 (.825)
OUTDOOR: (20 Seasons)
3 CCAA National Gold Medalsâ¨
1 CCAA National Silver Medals
3 CCAA National Bronze Medals
2 CCAA National Coach of the Year Awards
8 OCAA Provincial Gold Medalsâ¨
4 OCAA Provincial Silver Medals
2 OCAA Provincial Bronze Medals
4 OCAA Provincial Coach of the Year Awards
Regular Season & Playoff Record: 191-38-19 (.830)
INDOOR: (20 Seasons)
12 OCAA Provincial Gold Medals
4 OCAA Silver Medals
1 OCAA Bronze Medal
Regional & Championship Record: 96-23-11 (.807)
Source: Humber College