Purdue University Northwest has hired Mary Whisler as its new Head Women's Soccer coach, Director of Athletics Rick Costello announced on Tuesday.
"I am very excited that Mary Whisler is going to lead our women's soccer program," Costello said. "She brings outstanding coaching experience to the Pride and I look forward to welcoming her to the Purdue Northwest family."
Whisler joins Purdue Northwest after three seasons as an assistant coach at Cal State East Bay. The Pioneers made their first trip to the NCAA Division II national tournament last season.
"It's clear how highly the staff and administrators thought of each other and their student athletes, and that makes me very excited to join the Purdue Northwest Pride family." Whisler said. "I want to thank Rick Costello for this opportunity to build this program. I value the student-athlete experience, and look forward to facilitating a culture of excellence in the classroom, on the field, and in the community."
Whisler helped CSU East Bay capture the 2021 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament Championship and automatic bid to the NCAA DII tournament. The Pioneers finished 11-5-5 overall and third in the final league table last season. It marked CSU East Bay's first winning season in 12 years. Whisler was responsible for all facets of recruiting and helped assist with camps, fundraising and community service activities. She helped mentor nine all-conference selections including Lauren McDougal, who was named a DII All-West Region performer in 2019.
Prior to CSU East Bay, Whisler served three seasons as an assistant at NCAA DI Saint Mary's College (CA). Her duties with the Gaels included equipment management, video editing, assisting with training, assisting with recruiting visits, assisting with camps, and planning travel. Prior to that, Whisler spent two seasons at NCAA DII Academy of Art, where she helped guide the program to its second-best record ever in 2015.
Before moving to the Bay Area, Whisler founded the women's soccer program at Owens Community College in Perrysburg, Ohio in 2011. She coached her way to a 42-12-5 record overall for the Express, which was ranked as high as 14th in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) poll and 10th in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll. She was named 2013 NJCAA Region XII Coach of the Year after guiding her team to a 17-2-2 record and a trip to the national tournament.
Whisler was a highly decorated student-athlete in the University of Saint Francis (IN). She graduated with her B.A. in psychology in 2009 as a two-time All-American, two time Academic All-American, three-time First Team All-Conference selection, two-time First Team All-Region selection, and two-time team captain for the Cougars.
