Miami University assistant takes head coaching job at IU-East

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RICHMOND, INDIANA — Shane Meridith has been appointed head coach of Indiana University East’s new NAIA women’s soccer program, the school announced Wednesday, July 13.

Meridith brings extensive college coaching experience to the new Red Wolf program. Meridith won conference Coach of the Year honors twice during his tenure at Earlham College, where he was the women’s soccer head coach from 1994 to 2000 and from 2012 to 2015. Meridith served as an assistant coach for NCAA Division I programs at IUPUI, Miami University (Ohio) and the University of Iowa between 2003 and 2012. He previously was a volunteer assistant for the NCAA Division I program at Ball State University.

Meridith has coached club teams in Cincinnati and Carmel. He has experience as a staff coach for the Indiana Youth Soccer Association and the United State Youth Soccer Association.

“I’m excited to be joining a university that continues to grow and flourish, and I strive to establish a program that reflects all the positive things IU East and the Red Wolf athletic department are doing,” Meridith said.

Meridith graduated from Earlham College with a Bachelor of Arts in Studies in Education. He has completed coursework toward a master’s degree in sport psychology at Ball State University.

Meridith will focus on recruiting the Red Wolf roster during the 2016-17 school year. The team will begin NAIA competition during the 2017-18 school year.

IU East estimates 50 total student-athletes will participate in the men’s and women’s soccer programs.

IU East’s soccer teams will compete alongside the school’s other athletics teams in the newly renamed River States Conference. The league will have 10 men’s and women’s soccer programs for the 2017 fall season.

The addition of men’s and women’s soccer brings the total number of National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) varsity sports offered at IU East to 15. The Red Wolves currently compete in men’s and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s tennis, and men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field. IU East offers more NAIA sports than any other IU regional campus.

By Kyle Wright

For the Register-Herald

Reach Kyle Wright at 765-973-8567 or at www.iueredwolves.com

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