Former Cougar Shannon (Balcer) Andringa tabbed as Associate Head Coach for SAU Women’s Soccer

Former Cougar and NAIA All-American Shannon (Balcer) Andringa will join the women’s soccer program as the Associate Head Coach beginning June 1, according to Athletic Director Jason Crist. 

Andringa was a catalyst in helping SAU capture the first NAIA team national championship in the university’s history when she captained the Lady Cougars to the 2015 NAIA title in her senior year. A box-to-box midfielder, Andringa was named an NAIA honorable mention All-American for her efforts that season. She also helped the Cougars to a national semifinal during her tenure and was a part of four straight NAIA national tournament appearances.  

A prolific youth and high school player on the west side of the state, Andringa helped champion the program’s recruiting efforts in Grand Rapids and assisted in laying a foundation that has propelled SAU women’s soccer to the very top of the NAIA soccer landscape.  

After her four years at SAU, Andringa became involved in coaching in west Michigan and served as a high school coach at East Grand Rapids High School and as a club coach with Michigan Futbol Academy. She moved into the college coaching ranks when she became the head coach at Northwestern College (IA) in 2021, taking on a full rebuild of a young Red Raiders side.  

Andringa will work inside the current SAU staff this fall as the Associate Head Coach with plans to take the reigns as the head coach after the fall season as Crist steps away from coaching to take on full-time duties as the Athletic Director.  

“I could not be more excited to add Shannon to our coaching staff,” commented Crist.  “Shannon is a young, up and coming coach and she is a perfect fit for the position. Not only does she have an amazing heart for the Lord and will disciple our women well, but she is also a formidable recruiter and coach. Spring Arbor University and our women’s soccer players are getting the best of both worlds with her addition. I am so thankful that she is coming home.” 

Andringa was also excited about the opportunity to return to Spring Arbor University. “I am honored to be joining such a phenomenal and experienced staff. My time as a student-athlete at Spring Arbor was transformational, and the opportunity to give back to a place and a program that gave me so much is something I am extremely grateful for. Thank you to Jason Crist, Vice President Corey Ross and President Brent Ellis for believing in me and offering me this incredible opportunity,” noted Andringa.  

The Cougars are coming off capturing their third NAIA national title in 2022. The team will kick off the 2023 campaign with a road match against Embry Riddle (AZ), who advanced to the NAIA final site last season and should begin 2023 inside the NAIA Top 10 in the national coaches’ poll.