Episode
117: TJ Perez: Why D3 Soccer Offers Something Unique (Chapman University)
- Podcast
- Inside College Soccer
- Published
- Sep 21, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3795
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://audioboom.com/posts/8954986
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Summary
On this episode of Inside College Soccer, Don Williams sits down with TJ Perez - Head Coach of Chapman University Women's Soccer - for a wide-ranging conversation about his journey from player to Division III head coach. TJ talks about his playing days at Cal State LA before making the decision to transfer to Sonoma State, where he played under legendary coach Marcus Ziemer, scored 10 goals across two seasons and was part of two NCAA Tournament appearances. That decision became a defining moment in his life - and immediately after finishing his playing career, TJ joined Ziemer's coaching staff and began building the coaching philosophy that would shape everything that followed. The conversation covers the profound influence Marcus Ziemer had on TJ as both a coach and a mentor, his five seasons at Minot State where he served as both assistant and head coach, compiled a 26-15-18 record and led the Beavers to the NSIC Tournament Championship Game twice - and his return to California to become the fifth head coach in Chapman University's Division III women's soccer history. One of the most compelling parts of the conversation is TJ's perspective on the differences between Division II and Division III soccer - what makes the D3 model unique, why he believes there is something particularly pure about the Division III experience and what it looks like to build a programme around the complete college experience rather than athletics alone. TJ also shares what he looks for in players, what makes someone a genuine fit for a Division III programme and why the relationship between academics and athletics sits at the heart of everything he does. A great episode for players, families and coaches interested in understanding the college soccer landscape from someone who has experience…