Ball State University Athletics
Soccer Adds Steve Shelton as Assistant Coach
July 09, 2016 | Soccer
MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Ball State soccer program has announced the hiring of Steve Shelton as an assistant coach. Shelton has spent the past five seasons as the head coach at Concordia University, an NAIA program in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Shelton led Concordia's rise up the NAIA rankings from No. 178 in 2011 to No. 27 last fall in his final season. His teams posted records of .500 or better in each of his final three campaigns, including 10-win seasons in both 2014 and 2015.
“We are delighted to welcome Steve,” Ball State head coach Craig Roberts said. “His experience as a head coach and his familiarity with the region will enhance our program both on a knowledge-base level and on a recruiting level. It was important to find the right person with the right personality and skill set to balance myself and my other assistant. I believe Steve will meet these needs.”
Shelton coached Concordia's first All-American in Julia Palushaj, who led the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference in scoring the past two seasons. His squads also had success academically, managing a team GPA better than 3.5 every year.
Shelton coached with the Northville branch of the Michigan Rush Soccer Club for three years and coached the Rush Select Team featuring the top players from each branch of the club. He also spent two years as an evaluator for the Michigan ODP.
“I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to join the coaching staff at Ball State,” Shelton said. “I have tremendous respect for Coach Roberts and what he has been able to accomplish in his time here. From day one, it has been clear to me that this program is growing and looking to improve upon its past successes. I am excited to get started and help the team reach new heights.”
Shelton played collegiately at Kalamazoo College and graduated from Western Michigan University in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in public policy.
He began his coaching career at Grosse Ile High School in Michigan, where he was a standout prep player. The 2010 Huron League coach of the year led Grosse Ile to two district championships and a conference title.
As a player, Shelton was an all-state selection and set the Grosse Ile records for assists in a season (27), assists in a career (52) and goals in a game (5). He helped his team to a state championship in 2002 and a ranking of No. 13 nationally in 2003.
Shelton will be one of two new assistant coaches for Ball State this fall. Lauren Arnold joined the program as an assistant in April.
