Women's Soccer
Paule, Ross
Ross Paule
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- rosspaule@creighton.edu
- Phone:
- (402) 718-7769
One of the greatest players in Bluejay men’s soccer, Ross Paule was named the fifth head coach in Creighton women’s soccer history in December of 2014.
Paule returned to Creighton after nine years working with various levels of youth soccer in his home state of Tennessee. Paule served as a staff coach at the US National level through the adidas ESP program from 2006-14.
“My memories of being at Creighton were critical to my acceptance of the position. I know what Creighton offers and provides,” said Paule. “There is a clear commitment to providing the student-athlete with a caring and instructive environment.”
Taking over a program that had won just four conference games combined in the final two
seasons as a member of the MVC as well as the first season in the BIG EAST, Paule felt his first task was to change the culture.
“My biggest priority when I arrived was to address the culture and attitude of the team,” said Paule. “To teach them that it is not okay to be average, instead to learn from every experience and progress to a higher standard.”
That first step was completed in 2020 as the Bluejays reached their first BIG EAST Tournament and Paule led his staff to a BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year honor.
Paule played three years at Creighton (1994-96), guiding the Bluejays to their first College Cup appearance in 1996, before being drafted into Major League Soccer (MLS).
He went on to become the eighth player in program history to earn a spot in the Creighton Athletics Hall of Fame, earning induction in the spring of 2012.
A finalist for the Hermann Trophy and the Missouri Athletic Club Player of the Year award in 1996 (the two were combined in 2002), Paule was named the MVC Player of the Year in 1996. In 2006, he was named to the Missouri Valley Conference All-Centennial Team.
Paule remains the only men’s soccer player in school history to have earned First Team All-MVC honors in his first three seasons and one of only 10 players overall to have earned the honor three times.
He’s also the only man in Creighton’s storied history to earn MVC Player of the Year, MVC Tournament MVP and MVC Freshman/Newcomer of the Year.
Paule was drafted 11th overall, the first selection of the second round, by the Colorado Rapids in the 1997 MLS draft. During nine seasons in the MLS, he played for the Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew and NY/NJ MetroStars. He was the Colorado MVP in 1998, the Columbus MVP in 2003 and twice an MLS All-Star.
Upon retiring in 2005, Paule became an assistant coach for the Columbus Crew. He later joined the Memphis Futbol Club as a Youth Director. After four years he moved to the Technical Director role for the Tennessee Rush. In 2011, Paule became Executive Director of the Arlington Soccer Academy, where he developed regional talent in the
Mid-South.
Ross served as the National Soccer Executive Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes from 2011-14. In that role he traveled as far as Dubai to create partnerships with 93 countries while helping to produce soccer-themed bibles, The Goal, in multiple languages.
“The education I received as a Bluejay, both on and off the pitch, provided a great foundation and helped my life after I left Creighton,” continued Paule. “Now I am fortunate to have the great opportunity to pass those lessons on.”
“My goal is for our student-athletes to have the all-around experience that I enjoyed as a Bluejay,” said Paule. “We will continue to do what it takes to help each individual leave the university a better soccer player and a better person than when they first arrived.”
Ross and his wife, Laurie, have three children; Jorden, Emma and Ross Jr. (Rossi).
Paule returned to Creighton after nine years working with various levels of youth soccer in his home state of Tennessee. Paule served as a staff coach at the US National level through the adidas ESP program from 2006-14.
“My memories of being at Creighton were critical to my acceptance of the position. I know what Creighton offers and provides,” said Paule. “There is a clear commitment to providing the student-athlete with a caring and instructive environment.”
Taking over a program that had won just four conference games combined in the final two
seasons as a member of the MVC as well as the first season in the BIG EAST, Paule felt his first task was to change the culture.
“My biggest priority when I arrived was to address the culture and attitude of the team,” said Paule. “To teach them that it is not okay to be average, instead to learn from every experience and progress to a higher standard.”
That first step was completed in 2020 as the Bluejays reached their first BIG EAST Tournament and Paule led his staff to a BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year honor.
Paule played three years at Creighton (1994-96), guiding the Bluejays to their first College Cup appearance in 1996, before being drafted into Major League Soccer (MLS).
He went on to become the eighth player in program history to earn a spot in the Creighton Athletics Hall of Fame, earning induction in the spring of 2012.
A finalist for the Hermann Trophy and the Missouri Athletic Club Player of the Year award in 1996 (the two were combined in 2002), Paule was named the MVC Player of the Year in 1996. In 2006, he was named to the Missouri Valley Conference All-Centennial Team.
Paule remains the only men’s soccer player in school history to have earned First Team All-MVC honors in his first three seasons and one of only 10 players overall to have earned the honor three times.
He’s also the only man in Creighton’s storied history to earn MVC Player of the Year, MVC Tournament MVP and MVC Freshman/Newcomer of the Year.
Paule was drafted 11th overall, the first selection of the second round, by the Colorado Rapids in the 1997 MLS draft. During nine seasons in the MLS, he played for the Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew and NY/NJ MetroStars. He was the Colorado MVP in 1998, the Columbus MVP in 2003 and twice an MLS All-Star.
Upon retiring in 2005, Paule became an assistant coach for the Columbus Crew. He later joined the Memphis Futbol Club as a Youth Director. After four years he moved to the Technical Director role for the Tennessee Rush. In 2011, Paule became Executive Director of the Arlington Soccer Academy, where he developed regional talent in the
Mid-South.
Ross served as the National Soccer Executive Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes from 2011-14. In that role he traveled as far as Dubai to create partnerships with 93 countries while helping to produce soccer-themed bibles, The Goal, in multiple languages.
“The education I received as a Bluejay, both on and off the pitch, provided a great foundation and helped my life after I left Creighton,” continued Paule. “Now I am fortunate to have the great opportunity to pass those lessons on.”
“My goal is for our student-athletes to have the all-around experience that I enjoyed as a Bluejay,” said Paule. “We will continue to do what it takes to help each individual leave the university a better soccer player and a better person than when they first arrived.”
Ross and his wife, Laurie, have three children; Jorden, Emma and Ross Jr. (Rossi).
Creighton Women's Soccer Postgame vs. Marquette, 9/27/25
Sunday, September 28
Creighton Women's Soccer Highlights vs. Marquette, 9/27/25
Sunday, September 28
Creighton Women's Soccer Highlights vs. Villanova, 9/24/25
Wednesday, September 24
Creighton Women's Soccer Postgame vs. Georgetown, 9/20/25
Sunday, September 21
