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 One of the greatest players ever in the
history of women’s soccer at Clayton State,
Nkiru Okosieme is in her fifth season on the Laker women’s soccer
coaching staff. The former Nigerian National Team player and Olympian
has been associated with Clayton State women’s soccer for a total of
eight seasons.
A native of Onitcha, Nigeria, Okosieme became Clayton State’s first ever
Division II All-American in women’s soccer. She transferred to Clayton
State from NAIA King College in Bristol, Tenn., in 2001 and immediately
made her mark on both Clayton State and the Peach Belt Conference.
Okosieme was a three-time All-Peach Belt Conference and All-Southeast
Regional selection in 2001, 2002 and 2004, and garnered Division II
All-American honors in 2004. Okosieme is currently third all-time both
the Clayton State and in the Peach Belt for career goals (64) and points
(152). In addition, she also holds the Peach Belt single-season record
for game-winning goals with nine, and was selected Peach Belt Player of
the Year in the 2004 season.
In addition to her stellar play on the field, Okosieme also excelled in
the classroom. She was selected to the Peach Belt Presidential Honor
Roll three times and the Clayton State Dean’s List six times. Okosieme
was also honored twice with the Dottie Brumbalough Award given to the
Clayton State female athlete with the highest grade-point average in the
athletic program, and the Lady Laker Award in 2002 as the top female
student-athlete at Clayton State.
Okosieme’s international resume’ for soccer is extensive and
distinguished. She represented her native Nigeria in four Women’s World
Cups – 1991, 1995, 1999 and 2003. In 1999 and 2003, she went
head-to-head against a powerful United States squad which had the likes
of Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Julie Foudy, Michelle Akers and Kristine
Lilly.
In addition to the four World Cups, Okosieme also played for the 2000
Nigerian Olympic team in the Sydney Summer Olympic Games.
Okosieme graduated from Clayton State with a Bachelor’s degree in
Science Information Technology. She is currently pursuing her Master’s
degree in Health Administration at Clayton State. |
