Northwestern’s women’s soccer team has been in search of a new head coach for the upcoming season. The search committee believes they have found the fit in Shannon Andringa.
Dan Swier, head men’s soccer coach and member of the search committee, was very excited to be a part of this process. This is Dr. Micah Parker’s first head coach hire since beginning his position at NW as athletic director this summer.
The head women’s soccer coach position was not out for very long and according to Dr. Parker, “We had over 50 applicants and many more inquires”.
Something had to be special about Shannon Andringa to make her stand out in the hiring process. The new coach is a Michigan native, playing at high levels and having much success in her high school and college soccer careers.
Dan Swier, shared that Andringa has only lost 14 games in high school and college combined. He says that her winning mentality brings something special to the table and sets her apart from other applicants.
Everyone involved in the hiring process made it clear that Andringa prioritized her faith and truly wants to invest in her players, not only as athletes, but as people.
“I have a desire to invest in the next generation of woman and to see them transform the world by following Jesus and living like he did Shannon said, Soccer has always been a big part of my life, both playing and coaching, and it has changed my life. An opportunity to combine both passions made this position really appealing to me.”
This position will be Andringa’s first collegiate coaching position, but she is already excited about leading the Raiders. She hopes to lead alongside her team, pushing them to be champions on and off the field. She believes that challenging the players to lead will create a winning culture.
Adringa describes the winning culture she strives for as “where winning is not only defined by our record, but by how our lives are lived. I hope that lives are transformed through being a part of this program.”
Shannon Andringa will officially start her position as head women’s soccer coach at NW on Feb. 1. She says she is excited to move to Orange City and meet the girls that make up the women’s soccer team. The staff and her future coworkers are excited to have her, and her passion as part of the Red Raider team.
