TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State University Director of Athletics Ron Prettyman announced today, February 10, the hiring of Erika True as head women’s soccer coach.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to be coaching at Indiana State,” True said.  “Ron Prettyman and his senior staff are doing great things in supporting the growth and development of this ISU soccer program. I look forward to being a part of the Sycamore athletics team.”

True comes to Indiana State after spending four seasons as the assistant coach at Indiana. Prior to her four-year stint with the Hoosiers, True served in multiple coaching capacities at Missouri Valley Conference rival Creighton.  She began her tenure with the Bluejays as a graduate assistant before being promoted to full time assistant in 2003.  She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 2005 with a master’s degree in secondary education. True pursued her degree while working at Creighton.

“We are pleased to welcome Erika True to the Sycamore Athletics family,” ISU Director of Athletics Ron Prettyman said. “Erika comes to us with a great amount of experience and an impressive level of success as a player and as a coach. I am confident that coach True will lead the Sycamore women’s soccer program with passion and a commitment to excellence.”

In her first four years working with the goaltenders at IU, the Hoosiers have been among the conference leaders in net. In 2007, True was vital to the development of freshman Lauren Hollandsworth who was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team after a standout debut campaign. Hollandsworth played in every game for the Hoosiers in goal, setting Indiana freshman records with 13 wins and six shutouts.

Last season, True worked side-by-side with freshman goalkeeper Lindsay Campbell who posted a 0.77 goals against average and a .811 save percentage after starting the last 11 games of the season due to injuries sustained by two starting goalkeepers. Campbell played every minute in net during conference play, allowing more than one goal just once and posting a 0.78 GAA in Big Ten action.

Although excited to join the Sycamores, True couldn’t leave IU behind before offering her gratitude.

“I want to thank the Indiana University athletics department for allowing me the opportunity to work within a great program for the past four years,” True said.  “A special thanks to Chris Reynolds (Associate AD), Mick Lyon (head coach), and Woody Sherwood (assistant coach) for supporting me in my decision to come to ISU.”

As team captain at Bowling Green in 2002, True finished her career holding every goalkeeping record (single-match, season, and career) in school history.  She was the second player in school history to earn First Team All-Mid-American Conference honors and she set conference career records for minutes played and saves.

In her final collegiate campaign with the Falcons, True was named First Team All-MAC, third team all-region, and tabbed to the MAC All-Tournament team.  Her teammates also honored her as the team defensive MVP after her senior campaign.  True garnered Academic All-MAC honors as a junior, was named to the MAC Honor Roll for three seasons and earned her art education degree from Bowling Green in 2003.

True previously worked on the Iowa/Nebraska Girls ODP staff while also serving on the Region II ODP staff for the past four years.  While in Omaha, Erika was the head coach for the Gladiator girls' club soccer team, served as the director for goalkeepers, and was on staff for the Fast Footwork Academy within the Gladiator club.

True holds a NSCAA National Diploma, NSCAA Goalkeeping Diploma, and an Advanced NSCAA National Diploma.  During the summer of 2008, she traveled to Denver, Colo., to take part in the NCAA Women’s Coaching Academy.

Since moving to Bloomington, True was active within the local Cutter's soccer club, where she was the head goalkeeper trainer for both the girls and boys.  She also served as the girl’s senior team age group trainer.

True and her husband, Josh, currently reside in Greenwood, Ind., but are looking to relocate closer to Terre Haute.  The two were married in June 2007.   

“Erika will build upon the foundation of soccer excellence and academic achievement that former coach Vernon Croft so aptly established,” Prettyman said.  “Please join me in welcoming coach True to Sycamore Athletics.”

“I am excited to see this team develop, grow, and strengthen in the next couple of years,” True said.  “ISU women’s soccer has a lot of potential and I am looking forward to being part of their future success!”