March 6, 2018 - Kishwaukee College will be fielding a Women's Soccer team for the first time in its 50 year history in Fall 2018. The College welcomed Zachary "Zac" Ludwig to campus as the Head Coach for the newest Kougar team. Ludwig assumed his duties on February 12.  Ludwig is a native of Phoenix, AZ and has played club soccer from the time he was 8 years old.  At Washington High School in Phoenix, he primarily played center back or center midfielder. Recruited by Kansas Wesleyan University, Ludwig played outside back under renowned coach Mike Dibbini in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).  After he graduated with a B.A. in Business Studies, Ludwig worked as an Assistant Coach for both the men's and women's teams at Kansas Wesleyan with coach Dibbini.

In the next several years, Ludwig served as the Head Coach at Paradise Valley Community College in Arizona; Assistant Coach at Washington High School in Phoenix; a head coach for the Olympic Development Programs in Arizona and Illinois; Senior Coach in the youth program for the MLS' New York Red Bulls; Assistant Coach at Aurora University; and as a director and coach at a variety of club teams in Arizona, New York and Illinois. Additionally, Zac serves as an instructor of coaching licenses and diplomas for U.S. Soccer and United Soccer Coaches.  He learned about the new coaching position at Kish from the College's men's head soccer coach, Brenton Joseph, whom he has known from the Illinois club circuit since relocating to the Chicagoland area in 2015.

Ludwig characterizes taking the helm of a new athletic team at Kishwaukee as an exciting challenge. "It is exciting to be building a team from the ground up," he said.  "Right now, my main focus is getting the word out to local high schools and club teams that we will have a team this fall. I am building the roster."  His coaching philosophy is relatively simple. "We need to control our own fate as much possible," he explained. "Keep the ball and play as a team." His views on college athletics in general reflects a well-rounded world view. "Athletics are really a tool to shape people. I'm never just teaching soccer, but helping young adults grow up and be prepared for the rest of their lives."

For more information on Women's Soccer at Kishwaukee College, contact Zac Ludwig at zludwig@kish.edu.