Packard to Serve as Director of Operations for Cal Poly Women's Soccer Program
2/25/2025 4:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Jenae Packard, a star midfielder at the University of the Pacific from 2018-22, will be returning to the Cal Poly women’s soccer program to serve as the Director of Operations, first-year head coach Bernardo Silva recently announced.
Packard joined the Mustang women’s soccer coaching staff prior to the 2024 season to serve in the same role and is looking forward to continuing to work with the program under Silva’s leadership.
I’m all in with Cal Poly 2.0 ... I will do whatever is needed to help the team and staff elevate the program to reach the level of intensity and quality that we all know is possible.Jenae Packard, Cal Poly Women's Soccer Director of Operations
“I am so grateful for the opportunity that Bernardo has given me to be a part of this experienced coaching staff,” Packard said. “It is an honor to work alongside people who are so committed to helping this program elevate to the next level. Bernardo's had a clear vision and direction for the program from the start, and it's been inspiring to see the team buy into that.”
After wrapping up her career at Pacific, Packard played professionally for Fortuna Hjørring in the Danish Women’s League, the top-flight division in Denmark, in 2023. Silva has known Packard since her playing days at Pacific, when Silva would face the standout midfielder at least once year while serving as an assistant coach on the Sacramento State staff for five seasons from 2018-22. Silva said Packard will be an extremely valuable addition to the Cal Poly coaching staff.
She is someone that makes any program better in a multitude of ways and we’re very fortunate to have her with us as we continue to put together the best staff for our student-athletes.Bernardo Silva, Cal Poly Women's Soccer Head Coach
"I am incredibly excited to add Jenae to our already fantastic staff,” Silva said. “Jenae's experience both at the collegiate and professional level are invaluable for the young women of our program as we continue to elevate and professionalize our training and recruiting environment. During the interview process, Jenae's genuine love and care for the program as well as her desire to contribute from an operations side to the Cal Poly 2.0 project were evident and heartfelt. She is someone that makes any program better in a multitude of ways and we’re very fortunate to have her with us as we continue to put together the best staff for our student-athletes."
The Brentwood, Calif. native played in 85 games across her Pacific career, tallying seven goals and 11 assists. During her final season as a Tiger in 2022, Packard led the team in goals (four) and assists (six) and earned All-West Coast Conference Second Team honors. In 2022, she also helped Tormenta FC in Statesboro, Georgia, win its first-ever USL W League championship.
“It’s an honor to be a part of this staff and to learn from coaches like Bernardo, Scott, Paige and Brett,” Packard said. “They are all quality coaches who have the soccer knowledge to lead this program to success and are genuine people who want to see the student athletes in this program excel both collectively and individually. Being around them has made me a better person and coach.”
During Packard’s first season with the program in 2024, Cal Poly converted 100% of the penalty kicks they attempted — tied for the best conversion percentage in the nation — and produced an offensive outburst in a 5-1 Senior Day victory over Nevada, scoring five goals in a half for the first time in 24 years.
I love how this next chapter of Cal Poly under Bernardo's leadership will honor Alex's legacy, while also introducing a renewed vision and intensity that will eventually result in even more success.Jenae Packard, Cal Poly Women's Soccer Director of Operations
After finishing up her time playing professionally in Denmark, Packard moved to San Luis Obispo in February 2024 with hopes of staying involved with the sport she loves. Legendary head coach Alex Crozier provided her with a chance to do just that by serving as the Director of Operations on last year’s coaching staff. Packard said she’ll forever be grateful for that opportunity Crozier gave her.
“Coach Crozier built an amazing legacy and foundation here at Cal Poly,” she said, “and I’m so thankful for the opportunity he gave me to be a part of this program and to learn from him and his staff. I love how this next chapter of Cal Poly under Bernardo's leadership will honor Alex's legacy, while also introducing a renewed vision and intensity that will eventually result in even more success.”
Packard was a two-time WCC All-Academic First Team honoree at Pacific and graduated from the university in 2022 with her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in sport management.
“I’m all in with Cal Poly 2.0,” Packard said. “Bernardo is a leader that I want to learn from and follow, and I will do whatever is needed to help the team and staff elevate the program to reach the level of intensity and quality that we all know is possible.”
