ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University athletic department is pleased to announce the hiring of Shelby Spaulding as its new head women's soccer coach. Spaulding joins the Regents following coaching stints at NCAA Division III Allegheny College and Concordia University Texas and a four-year playing career at Howard Payne University. She was also recently selected as part of the 2020-21 class of the United Soccer Coaches 30 Under 30 program.
"We were all impressed with Shelby's preparation, knowledge and recruitment plan," commented RU Director of Athletics Jason Mulligan. "She knows what it takes to win at the Division III level and has tasted success at multiple schools. This is a key juncture for our women's soccer program, and we feel Shelby is well suited to lead us to future success."?
"I am very honored and ecstatic to have been selected to be the next head coach for the Rockford University women's soccer program," Head Coach Shelby Spaulding stated. "I want to thank Jason Mulligan and the search committee for providing me with this opportunity and entrusting me to lead the program. I also want to thank all of those who have helped me along my coaching journey, as I truly wouldn't be where I am today without each of you. I am looking forward to working with the team and building the program. This is truly an exciting time to be a Regent!"
Spaulding most recently spent two seasons at Allegheny College as an assistant coach and subsequently the interim head coach. While at Allegheny, Spaulding oversaw all aspects of the women's soccer program. She was responsible for recruiting and retaining student-athletes, developing, organizing and running training sessions, game preparation, scouting and alumni engagement. She also coached a trio of All-North Coast Athletic Conference performers and helped the Gators record their first non-losing season since 2014.
Prior to Allegheny, Spaulding spent two years as a graduate assistant at Concordia University Texas. During her time there, she was heavily involved in all facets of the program. Her coaching duties involved recruiting, assisting with training sessions, game day preparation, creating scouting reports and monitoring the team's academic progress. The Tornados qualified for the American Southwest Conference Tournament in both seasons with Spaulding on staff, had 11 all-conference selections and posted their first 10-win season since 2011.
Spaulding entered the collegiate coaching ranks after a four-year playing career at Howard Payne University. She was selected as a captain for her senior season, and the Lady Jackets advanced as far as the semifinals in the American Southwest Conference Tournament during her sophomore year, finishing with an impressive 10-8-1 overall record.
Spaulding graduated from Howard Payne University with a bachelor's degree in Business Management and earned her M.Ed. in Sports Administration from Concordia University Texas.
