Perkiomen School News

Perkiomen School welcomes Julian Fernandez as its Director of Soccer Operations for the 2022-23 academic year. This new role for Perkiomen is the latest in a series of future-focused shifts that the school has made to expand the impact of the Panthers Athletics programs. In his new role, Mr. Fernandez will be deeply involved in both the boys’ and girls’ soccer programs, while beginning the year as the head coach of the girls’ team. 

“In recent years, we have welcomed some remarkable student athletes to our community,” says Head of School Mark A. Devey. “I thought to myself, as an international school, why haven’t we expanded upon the world’s most popular sport? With that goal, I am excited to welcome Julian, who will promote the game of soccer and advance Perkiomen’s burgeoning athletics program.” 

In addition to serving as the Director of Soccer Operations, Mr. Fernandez will teach English and history. Coming from a family of educators, he graduated from Chestnut Hill College with a Bachelor of Arts in history and earned a Master of Arts in higher education from Messiah College.

A three-year starting midfielder for the Chestnut Hill College men’s soccer team, Mr. Fernandez was a three-time member of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) All-Academic Team, two-time member of the Chestnut Hill College Athletics Academic Honor Roll, and a Division II Athletic Directors Association (ADA) Academic Achiever. He served as team captain as a senior and received the Coach’s Award.

Following his collegiate career at Chestnut Hill College, Mr. Fernandez played for the Atlantic City Crusaders and Philadelphia Fury of the National Premier Soccer League. He went on to become the Assistant Coach for Temple University and Head Coach of Chestnut Hill College. He was also the Director of Competitions and a Staff Coach for Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer's Olympic Development Program (ODP).

Mr. Fernandez earned his A Youth License from the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), and a Premier Diploma from the United Soccer Coaches. He also earned a Grassroots Instructor License and was a Grassroots Course Instructor with USSF. Mr. Fernandez also invested his time in an intense year-long education and mentorship program called the United Soccer Coaches 30 Under 30.

Most recently, Mr. Fernandez played several leadership roles in one of the nation’s premier soccer clubs—FC DELCO. Prior to serving as the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) Boys Director, he had been the club’s Director of Talent Identification and a US Development Academy coach for multiple years after having contributed as a staff coach with the club since 2011.

“My family and I want to thank Mr. Devey and the entire Perkiomen School family,” shares Mr. Fernandez. “From the moment he and I began to talk about fostering the growth of the soccer program, I immediately knew that I wanted to be a part of this school and its community. With the number of opportunities that are on the horizon at Perkiomen, this is an exciting place to grow as a coach and as a player. I look forward to working with the entire leadership team, in the classroom and on the field. The Director of Soccer Operations role will allow me to work closely with both the girls’ and boys’ programs and promote the school out in the community, with my goal being to push the players and these programs to achieve their full potential. With the support of this community, there is an endless amount that we can achieve.”