Kulwant Singh, director of Athletics at De Anza College, will be inducted into the California Soccer Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame on Dec. 1.

Born in India, Singh’s history with soccer began in England, where he played as a child. 

“In our family, my dad often talked about his father, my grandfather. He was a champion wrestler,” Singh said. “Although soccer and wrestling are very different, we still had a link. I think I used that as inspiration and sometimes motivation to be involved in sports and try to excel.”

Singh’s father was also involved in track and field, for which he received strong family support.

“My family was very supportive. I’m not sure all families with Indian heritage are [supportive] of their sons and daughters, as far as sports go, because it’s very much [about] academics.”

Singh explained how such an upbringing can be stereotypical, “but that’s what it is.”

But things were different for Singh. “In my family I actually got a lot of support to try and excel in both academics and sports, which was maybe a little bit rare at that time.”

After moving to the U.S., he continued with soccer throughout high school, clubs, community college and finally at the university level at Cal State East Bay.

At CSU East Bay, Singh met coach Colin Lindores, who is currently the head coach of men’s soccer at De Anza. “He was my mentor,” Singh said. “He helped me get a start in coaching.”

With his assistant coaching position at Hayward, Singh lead the women’s team to win the NCAA national championship in 1994. The same year, he served as the assistant competition manager and site director for the 1994 FIFA World Cup San Francisco venue and Stanford sites.

Twice named the Community College National Coach of the Year, Singh has been at De Anza since 1990. After 17 years of men’s soccer and seven of women’s, Singh lead the men’s team to 11 Coast Conference championships, and the women’s team to four. 

With over 100 of his student athletes receiving scholarships, Singh said he “[feels] pretty proud of my coaching tenure.”

Since moving from coaching to administration, Singh has continued to win with student athletes both on and off the field. “Academically, according to institutional research, the student athletes have an average GPA of 3.04,” he said. 

De Anza has also won the Coast Conference All-Sports Championship for the last four years. “Most importantly, we want our student athletes to move on to the university,” he said, “which is the goal of the vast majority of them.”

Earlier in his career, Singh said he was “maybe one of the only soccer coaches of Indian ancestry in the country. Sometimes I didn’t quite fit in to different groups of coaches.”

But Singh didn’t let this fact derail him from his goals. “You just kind of stay positive and plug on,” Singh said about overcoming his obstacle. “I just kept going.”

Singh’s positive outlook became a large part of his coaching and administrative philosophy, which includes, “definitely work[ing] hard, but I think it goes a long way when you enjoy what you’re doing. Try and have a positive spin on things.”

Singh also had high praises for De Anza, explaining that “De Anza has a lot to do with my outlook. De Anza is an amazing place.”

With all of the students Singh has helped shape over the years, he cites De Anza as helping to shape him. “I think being here at De Anza has a lot to do with how I’ve been shaped over the years.”

With more than 100 of his student athletes receiving scholarships, Singh said he “[feels] pretty proud of my coaching tenure.”

Since moving from coaching to administration, Singh has continued to win with student athletes both on and off the field. “Academically, according to institutional research, the student athletes have an average GPA of 3.04,” he said. 

De Anza has also won the Coast Conference All-Sports Championship for the last four years. “Most importantly, we want our student athletes to move on to the university,” he said, “which is the goal of the vast majority of them.”

Earlier in his career, Singh said he was “maybe one of the only soccer coaches of Indian ancestry in the country. Sometimes I didn’t quite fit in to different groups of coaches.” 

But Singh didn’t let this fact derail him from his goals. “You just kind of stay positive and plug on,” Singh said about overcoming his obstacle. “I just kept going.”

Singh’s positive outlook became a large part of his coaching and administrative philosophy, which includes, “definitely work[ing] hard, but I think it goes a long way when you enjoy what you’re doing. Try and have a positive spin on things.”

Singh also had high praises for De Anza, explaining that “De Anza has a lot to do with my outlook. De Anza is an amazing place.”

With all of the students Singh has helped shape over the years, he cites De Anza as helping to shape him. “I think being here at De Anza has a lot to do with how I’ve been shaped over the years.”