(Tucson, AZ) Pima Community College men’s soccer coach David Cosgrove earned a national award from the NJCAA.
Cosgrove, the Aztecs men’s soccer coach since 1998, was named to the inaugural class of the NJCAA Legacy Award presented by Nufabrx. Cosgrove earned the award along with nearly 200 coaches across 28 different sports, who were nominated by their respected colleges.
“This award recognizes the all-time winningest coaches in NJCAA history,” the NJCAA posted in its press release. “This is the first time in the near 90-year history of the NJCAA that coaches have been recognized in such a fashion by the Association.”
Cosgrove just completed his 27th season with the Aztecs where he is 433-124-40 in his career at Pima. He has sent over 125 student-athletes to four-year universities. The Aztecs have won two NJCAA National Championships in 2018 and 2021, a Division I National Runner-Up finish in 1999 and National Semifinal finishes in 2015, 2017, 2020-21, 2024. Cosgrove and his staff were selected the 2021 United Soccer Coaches Junior College Division II Coaching Staff of the Year and the 2018 United Soccer Coaches Junior College Division I Coaching Staff of the Year.
The Aztecs finished the 2024 season at 20-1-1 with the most single season wins and ACCAC conference wins since 2018. The Aztecs won their 11th Region I Championship this season and made their eighth straight appearance at the NJCAA National Tournament. It was their 10th appearance in the last 11 years.
“Ken (Jacome) nominated me and they put me into the class, it was surprising,” Cosgrove said about hearing about the honor. “It always feels good to be recognized for your dedication and time. I’ve been fortunate to have the staff and the players and the support of Pima and the administrators.”
Cosgrove said he was happy to be put in the class, especially with many coaches
“Some of my sports’ all-time greatest coaches are on the list. Guys who have won multiple national titles,” he said. “Jim Kelly from the College of Dupage, he was around when I was a player. Charlies Inverso, from Mercer County Community College; to be in a class with them in our sport, I feel like the young guy. The best of the best were considered and its one of the greatest acknowledgements of my career.”
Cosgrove was selected to the Pima County Sports Hall of Fame and the NJCAA Soccer Hall of Fame in 2013.
“When I got into coaching, it was to help some local kids short term and I never thought it would be a 27-year career,” Cosgrove said. “For the first 15-20 years, I never thought I’d get a sniff of a national championship. I never envisioned I’d get these accolades and be put in a position with these great people.”
Press Release courtesy of Pima Aztec Athletics – Raymond Suarez
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