SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Following the 2023 season where she served as the associate head coach, Shannon Andringa has now officially taken the reins of the Spring Arbor University women's soccer team.
 
"I am extremely honored and privileged to have the opportunity to coach within a program and at a university that has profoundly impacted me," said Andringa. "The women's soccer program here at Spring Arbor is known for their relentless pursuit of excellence on and off the field and I am committed to carrying that forward. In my short time working with the athletic department, their commitment to raise up men and women who are both competitors and faithful followers of Jesus Christ is evident. I am grateful to join the staff and work alongside them."
 
Andringa replaces Jason Crist, who is stepping away from coaching after 24 seasons (2000-23) as the Cougars' skipper to take on full-time duties as the university's athletic director.
 
"I could not be more excited to watch Shannon lead Spring Arbor University women's soccer into the next chapter," Crist said. "Shannon is a skilled coach with a beautiful heart for Jesus. Her passion to be both excellent on the field and Kingdom impactful make her the perfect fit for SAU soccer. I expect that the program will flourish under Shannon's leadership, allowing Spring Arbor University women's soccer to stand as a beacon for Christ while continuing to produce championship caliber culture and soccer teams. Shannon is the right person in the right moment, and I am thrilled to have a front row seat as she puts her stamp on the program."
 
Andringa, an All-American player for Spring Arbor, returned to her alma mater following a two-year stint as the head coach at Northwestern College (Iowa) to join Crist on the bench for his final campaign. She played a pivotal role in helping guide SAU to a 20-1-2 record, a Crossroads League Tournament title and an appearance in the national tournament semifinals.
 
As a player, Andringa was a catalyst in helping SAU capture the first NAIA team national championship in the university's history when she captained the Cougars to the 2015 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 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 in 2021.
 
"I want to say a big thank you to Jason Crist, SAU Chief of Staff Corey Ross and President Brent Ellis for their belief in me," added Andringa. "I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to give back to a program that has given me so much. Go Cougs!"