Joey Awong is in his second year as an assistant coach for men's soccer at Chaminade University.

During his first season as an assistant in 2014, Awong helped guide the Silverswords to a program-record six wins. The team was 0-15-1 the previous year, a 5.5 game turnaround, ranking them as one of the most improved teams in the nation. The 'Swords tied a program record with 18 goals, which was the most since 2009. The team's defense also showed marked improvement by setting a program record with 29 goals allowed. By contrast, the 'Swords scored only 10 goals and surrendered 67 in 2013.

Awong has led an interesting life at a young age. Upon returning home to O'ahu after a shoulder injury ended his college football career, he received a role to train actors to be lifeguards on the hit television show, Baywatch Hawai'i. Awong was also entered in surfing contests on the acclaimed North Shore of O'ahu when record mogul David Geffen suggested he move to Los Angeles to pursue an acting and modeling career.

Awong's move to LA prompted opportunities for him to be featured in national modeling campaigns as well as in fashion show meccas such as Milan, Paris and New York, where he modeled several high end fashion brands.

It was during his overseas travels that Awong got to train with ex-European soccer stars and eventually would earn spots on several highly competitive celebrity soccer teams, such as the L.A. Vale and the Hollywood All-Stars.

Now back home on O'ahu, Awong plays for Lanikai, one of the top soccer clubs in the Hawai'i and is thrilled to be coaching at Chaminade, giving back to a sport he loves.

Awong is a graduate of Saint Louis School, earning letters in football, track and wrestling. He contributed in two of the Crusaders' impressive run of 14 straight Prep Bowl and Hawai'i High School Athletic Association football championship under legendary head coach Cal Lee. Awong garnered Honolulu Star-Bulletin all-Interscholastic League of Honolulu honorable mention honors in 1996 as a defensive back. Among his Crusader teammates that year were future college and NFL stars such as offensive lineman Dominic Raiola (Nebraska, Detroit Lions), quarterbacks Darnell Arcenaux (Utah) and Jason Gesser (Washington State), and slotback Craig Stutzman (Hawai'i).

He was also the ILH champion in the 300-meter hurdles and was the anchor to the Crusaders' 4x400 relay team.

Awong played college football at the University of Montana where he played free safety during his freshman and sophomore seasons before his career-ending shoulder injury.