Grand View Soccer Coach Wins NAIA National Award | 2025

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Grand View Vikings Claim First NAIA National Championship, Coach David Groves Named Coach of the Year

Grand View University’s men’s soccer team has achieved a historic milestone, securing its first-ever NAIA National Championship in 2025. Head Coach David Groves has been recognized for his leadership, earning the 2025 NAIA Select Sports America Coach of the Year award.

The Vikings’ journey to the championship was nothing short of remarkable, defying preseason expectations and overcoming meaningful odds. Entering the NAIA National Tournament as an unseeded team, after being projected to finish near the bottom of the Heart of America Conference, Grand View embarked on a dominant postseason run.

Did you know? – grand View University is a private, liberal arts university located in Des Moines, Iowa, serving approximately 2,500 students.

From underdogs to champions: A Stunning Postseason Run

The team concluded the season with an remarkable 18-4-3 record, culminating in a championship victory over WVU Tech (West Virginia), handing them their sole defeat of the season (20-1-2). Throughout the tournament, the Vikings demonstrated exceptional defensive prowess, conceding only one goal.

Their path to the title included decisive victories against formidable opponents: a 1-0 win over #16 Indiana Wesleyan, a 1-0 triumph against #1 Bethel (Indiana), a 2-0 defeat of #9 Georgia Gwinnett, a 1-0 victory over #12 Cumberlands (Kentucky), and a 2-1 win against #11 WVU Tech.

Pro tip – Maintaining a strong defensive line is crucial in tournament play. Grand View allowed only one goal throughout their entire NAIA championship run.

A Culture of Character and Resilience

according to Coach Groves, the success is a testament to the dedication of his players and staff. “While the recognition is personal, the credit belongs to the players and staff,” he stated. “The players continue to drive a culture that’s built on high character, accountability, and leading by example. The staff’s tireless work in and out of season has been essential, as has the collective commitment to reshaping the roster, growing together, and navigating difficult moments the right way.”

The championship season also saw several individual players receive accolades. Kevin Ventura was named NAIA Player of the Year and NAIA National Tournament MVP.Luis Helm earned the title of NAIA Defensive Player of the Year. Ventura,Helm,and Justin Figaroa were all selected as NAIA All-Americans,while Ventura,Helm,Figaroa,and Pietro Piacenza received All-Tournament recognition. rounding out the honors, Ventura, Helm, Figaroa, Payton Chapman, and Nacho Gonzalez were named All-Conference selections.

Reader question – What factors contributed to Grand View’s turnaround? Coach Groves emphasized roster reshaping, team unity, and resilience in overcoming adversity.

Building a Winning Program

Since assuming leadership of the program in April 2022, Coach Groves has compiled an overall record of 43-25-12, demonstrating a consistent upward trajectory.

“No matter how many times we were behind, there was always a belief that we would find a way,” Groves explained.”Adversity became familiar, not intimidating. The result is a unified,driven team that embraces the work and prioritizes winning together. The sacrifice has been significant, but the results speak for themselves-the program is hungrier, more connected, and resilient than ever.”

The Grand View Vikings