Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University women's soccer head coach Jack Vundum, along with Director of Athletics Kelley Kish have announced the hiring of Katie Mitchell as the women's soccer assistant coach. Mitchell joins the Bulldog staff after spending the last two years as the head coach at Manchester University.

"I would like to thank Coach Vundum for the opportunity to join his staff as assistant coach," Mitchell says. "He has created a strong, winning culture within the program and there is a clear vision for what the team wants to achieve. I am really excited to be a part of the Bulldog family and I am eager to contribute and add value to the program."

"I'm delighted to have Katie joining our staff," Vundum says. "Katie brings really good experience from her Head Coaching role at Manchester University, and a philosophical view on team culture that is exactly what we were looking for. Katie will bring a strong work ethic and competitive edge in our efforts to keep improving as a team on and off the field. The team and I really look forward to immersing her in the program right away."

Mitchell began her coaching career in 2019 as an assistant coach at the University of Indianapolis, where she assisted with running practices and game day planning. She also worked with goalkeeper training during her time on the staff, as Indianapolis advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 while having the GLVC Freshman of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year.

Mitchell was named the head coach at Manchester University in June of 2021, running all aspects of the program including recruiting, scouting, training, budgets, prospect camps and student-athlete success. Mitchell was also the head coach for Fort Wayne United from November of 2021 through this year.

Mitchell played collegiately at the University of West Georgia, where she was an All-Gulf South and All-Region honoree. She holds the school's all-time record in assists, while also earning a spot on the Gulf South All-Academic Team. Mitchell earned her Bachelor's degree in May of 2019 from West Georgia, majoring in Sport Management with a minor in Marketing while graduating with a 3.83 GPA. She earned her Master's Degree in Sport Management from the University of Indianapolis in May of 2021, graduating with a 4.00 GPA.

Mitchell will be joining a Wingate program coming off another strong season. The Bulldogs played in the SAC title match for the 10th time in the last 13 seasons, while earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the seventh time in program history. All seven of those appearances have come since 2011. Wingate went 11-5-4 in the 2022 season, ranking as high as #21 in the United Soccer Coaches poll.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 38 undergraduate majors as well as seven master's and four doctoral degrees. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences; the Levine College of Health Sciences; the Byrum School of Business; the Thayer School of Education; and the School of Sport Sciences. 
 
Wingate is a leader in healthcare education, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 25 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award the past 14 times it has been awarded. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.