Marcia McDermott is the first general manager of the Chicago Red Stars.
Her background as an elite player, coach and administrator has made McDermott one of the most respected leaders in American soccer. A successful career as a player with the legendary University of North Carolina teams of the late 1980s and coaching success at the collegiate and professional levels provide a strong foundation for her new position as Chicago’s general manager.
McDermott began her coaching career as an assistant coach at North Carolina-Greensboro. From there, she spent two years as head coach at Maryland, then three as the head coach of Arkansas. In 1994, McDermott moved to Northwestern where she launched the women’s soccer program and led the Wildcats to the NCAA tournament in 1996 and 1998 when she was also honored as the NSCAA Great Lakes Regional Coach of the Year.
In Carolina, the Courage captured the WUSA regular season and post-season (Founders Cup II) championships in her second season (2002). McDermott moved to the front office the following season and served as the team’s assistant general manager and director of ticket sales.
As a player, McDermott captured three NCAA titles at the University of North Carolina including 1986 when she was named an NCAA All-American and served as a team captain. She wore the United States National Team colors seven times and has the fifth-best strike rate among US players with seven or more caps. McDermott scored goals in 57.1% of her U.S. appearances. Only Abby Wambach (82%), April Heinrichs (79%), Michelle Akers (69%) and Mia Hamm (57.4%) have scored at a higher clip.
Most recently, McDermott served as the Associate Head Coach of the University of Illinois’ women’s soccer team where she helped the Illini to NCAA bids in 2006 and 2007. She has also worked as a consultant for Chicago based Inteflex, a firm that specializes in sales force effectiveness in the specialty pharmaceutical industry.
McDermott also is very active in the NSCAA, having served on the Women's Committee and Board of Directors prior to her current position as a Vice President on the Executive Committee of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and will be the President of that organization in 2010. She has also worked as a scout for the U.S. Women's National team and is on the board of the non-profit Chicago SCORES, which helps urban children by using writing, community service and soccer as tools to better their lives.
What I do for Chicago Red Stars: GM, but a lot less now that we have a great team in place!
Favorite place in Chicago: Anywhere near the lake
Favorite place in the burbs: NU
Favorite band: Joan Armatrading
Favorite artist I've never seen in concert: Dixie Chicks
Other jobs I've had: Cook, coach, consultant
If I could live in another decade, which one would it be and why: 2010s--let's hope
Number of states I've visited: 45
Number of countries I've visited: 6
Most precious possession: My books
Hometown/What I miss about my hometown: Reading the Washington Post
My pets: Sugar Momma