Nicholas Spell Named Women’s Soccer Coach

Heidelberg College director of athletics Jerry McDonald announced the hiring of Nicholas Spell as the women's soccer coach today. Spell becomes just the sixth head coach in the 20-year history of the program and joins Heidelberg following three years as an assistant coach at Marietta College.

Spell takes over the women's soccer program following five years under the direction of Michelle Sandor, who has decided to move on to pursue a career as a guidance counselor in the public school system.

"We are excited about the qualities that Nick brings to Heidelberg," said McDonald. "He has proven to be an excellent recruiter and has been part of a remarkable turnaround at his previous school."

While at Marietta, Spell served as the assistant coach for both the men's and women's programs, but primarily focused on the women's team. Marietta's women's team set a school record for wins with 12 in 2003, only to tie it a year later and eclipse that win total in 2005 with 14 victories.

Spell attended Marietta and played four years of varsity soccer. He served as team captain and was the Pioneer's Most Valuable Player in both 2002 and 2003. Spell completed his undergraduate studies in the spring of 2003 with a bachelor of arts in marketing. In the spring of 2005, he also received his masters of education from his alma mater.

Spell is both a NSCAA National and United States Soccer Federation (USSF) "D" licensed coach, and in addition to his collegiate coaching experiences, is well versed in southeastern Ohio's club soccer.

Spell is active with the River Valley Soccer Club (RVSC), coaching an under-15 boys as well as an under-11 and under-12 girl’s team out of Parkersburg, W.Va.

"I am very excited to work with the Heidelberg women's soccer program," said Spell. "Heidelberg has ranked among the leaders in the very competitive OAC, but have struggled recently and I look forward to bringing the program back among the leaders in the league. There is a solid group of returning players as well as freshman coming in and I look forward to meeting everyone."

Heidelberg is a member of the Ohio Athletic Conference and has claimed a league-best five tournament championships to go along with five regular season conference championships. The Berg as accumulated the most wins (10) in the OAC Tournament since the league began crowning a tournament champion in 1992.