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PSA hires
new coach
Atobra Ampedu has been interested in coaching the girls’ soccer team at Putnam Science Academy for some time now. The program is still in its infant stages, having completed its first season in 2019 and pausing like most of the rest of the high school sports world in 2020.
But the hope is for games to be played in the spring of 2021, and when that happens, Ampedu will finally be on the PSA sidelines. The 29-year-old native of Ghana was named as the team’s new head coach earlier this week.
“I’ve been staying in touch with (PSA Athletic Director) Tom (Espinosa) for about a year now about coming on here,” he said. “For me, it’s a great job because so many of the girls are international students. And for me being an international student-athlete as well, I can relate to them and what they are dealing with. Having gone through it myself, I feel like I can really help the girls get through it and get to the next level and stage of their life. That was something that definitely drew me to this job.
“And then the long-term part is that I want to build a program. In the short term though, it would definitely be nice to play again. It has been a rough year for everybody and I think once we start to do something that you love and enjoy, your life if going to get back to normal at some point. The game is a big part of their life, and the coronavirus took that away. So getting back on the field will bring some light back to them.”
Ampedu, who came to the U.S. in 2007, played at the University of Hartford as a freshman, then transferred to Boston College, where he was a team captain during both his junior and senior seasons. Following his playing days, Ampedu stayed in the game on the men’s side, working as an assistant coach, first at Manhattanville College, then Springfield College. He was most recently at American International College, where he served as a graduate assistant on the women’s team.
“We are really glad to have Atobra with us,” Espinosa said. “I think his experience of being an international student-athlete will really be something that will enable him to relate to our kids right away. He’s been through it and can really help with that.
“And he’s got some real strong coaching experience that I think will help our players take their game to the next level. I think he’s a great fit for us and we’re glad to have him with us.”
Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy
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