Coach Terry Bocian AQ Athletic Hall of Fame
Shannon Bessette was a true pioneer in women’s soccer at Aquinas College. The Grand Ledge graduate captained the first two women’s soccer teams at the College and was its MVP each year. She also scored the winning goal in each of the school’s first two soccer victories. Following graduation, she served as the program’s assistant coach for two years before assuming the head coaching position in 1995. During the next seven seasons, Aquinas had unprecedented success under her leadership. This period saw AQ post seven winning seasons with four WHAC Conference championships and three regional appearances. The Saints posted a 16-3-1 mark in 1999. She was named WHAC Coach of the Year on four occasions. Shannon also served as Aquinas’ assistant director of student activities during this time. She left the college to take a position as director of sales for Harley Davidson Company in the Grand Rapids area.
