Scott Helling-Christy, BSM’s head coach for the state champion girls’ soccer team, has been named U.S. Regional Coach of the Year for private/parochial schools by the US Coaches Association. Helling-Christy was also named State coach of the year for Minnesota, the tenth time in his career at BSM.
“I am very honored to be named the regional coach of the year by the US Soccer Coaches Association,” Helling-Christy said, “You don’t achieve awards like this without the support of a good coaching team or without having good players to coach. I have been very fortunate throughout the years coaching at BSM to have very talented players.” Helling-Christy has coached at BSM for 28 years, the last 17 as head coach for the girls’ varsity soccer team.
In November, BSM’s 2023 girls’ soccer team took home their fifth MSHSL Class AA state championship. “The players on this year’s team were very talented and were on a mission to win a state championship, which they did along with an undefeated season,” Helling-Christy said. BSM girls’ soccer teams have a combined record of 281 wins and 46 losses, with 27 ties under Helling-Christy.
“Scott is one of the finest coaches that I have ever worked with,” said Rick Johns ’70, BSM director of athletics and activities. “He is highly skilled on the tactical side and more importantly he has a sincere interest in helping our girls grow as a team and as individuals. Scott always has a smile on his face. BSM is grateful to Scott for his friendly confidence, calm knowing air, willingness to listen, and clear sense of teamwork and excellent sportsmanship in all aspects of the game. This award is well deserved.”
The regional coach of the year award for private/parochial schools is one of three national awards for girls’ high school soccer in large public, small public, and private/parochial schools. To be eligible for the award, coaches must have been selected as the state coach of the year and are current members of the United Soccer Coaches Association. The following criteria are taken into consideration when naming coaches of the year: current season success, years of membership to the USCA promoting girls’ high school soccer longevity and success at the state, region, and national levels.
Helling-Christy has also been named National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) national coach of the year finalist (2022), Minnesota State High School Soccer Coaches Association (MSHSSCA) state coach of the year (2010), MSHSSCA section 6 coach of the year (2010), and MSHSSCA Section 5 coach of the year (2022).
As varsity head coach, Helling-Christy is currently supported by assistant coaches Calli Olson Cheney and Micah Helling who have made important contributions to the BSM girls’ soccer program, and by the BSM activities and athletics director and staff, ensuring the continued success of the school’s student athletes in the classroom and on the field.
Under Helling-Christy as head coach, the Red Knights girl’s soccer team have clinched state titles in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2023, have 13 conference championships, and 14 section championships. During that time, Helling-Christy has been named state private/parochial coach of the year in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2023.
