Nate Houser
Position: Director of Soccer
Phone: 785.594.8444
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Nate Houser began his college coaching career as the women’s head coach in 2003 by guiding the Lady Cats to their first-ever Region V playoff appearance. In 2010, Houser guided the women’s soccer program to it’s first-ever NAIA National Tournament semifinals appearance, while also capturing the 2010 Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament Championship. The Lady Cats followed up that historic season with a 2011 HAAC regular season and playoff championship. In the NAIA National Tournament, the Wildcats returned to the Elite Eight and finished the season with a 15-3-2 record. The women had four players named NAIA and NSCAA All-Americans.
Houser has served as the Head Soccer Coach and Director of Soccer since 2008. Houser led the team to the 2008 HAAC Tournament Championship and advanced to the NAIA Sweet 16. The Wildcats have been ranked in the Top 10 three of Houser’s four years, including rankings in the Top 5 in 2009 and 2011.
The Wildcats enjoyed their best season in the programs 27-year history finishing the regular season 16-0-1, while ranking No. 3 in the nation and winning a share of the HAAC regular season title on their way to the programs first-ever appearance in the NAIA Final Four. Overall, Baker finished the year 20-2-1, and is set to challenge for the 2012 Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship.
Houser won the HAAC Coach of the Year Award and NSCAA Plains Region Coach of the Year in 2011. With these honors, he became the first coach in the conference and region to win both the women’s and men’s award in the same season.
Notable Achievements
USSF A License
2011 NAIA Men's Final Four
2011 NAIA Women's Elite Eight
2011 Men's and Women's NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year
2011 HAAC Men's Coach of the Year
2011 HAAC Women's Coach of the Year
2010 NAIA Women's Final Four
2008 NAIA Men's Sweet 16
Professional Playing Career
After graduating from Baker in 1994, Houser enjoyed a 12-year professional soccer career. He spent 11 seasons with the Kansas City Comets and one with the St. Louis Steamers and the Baltimore Blast. Houser was an All-Star selection during the 1999 and 2000 seasons and an All-Pro selection in 2000. Houser also played outdoor soccer in the USL A-League for the Hampton Roads Mariners (1996), Rochester Rhinos (1997) and the Milwaukee Rampage (2000). Every team Houser was on went to post-season play. In 1997 the Kansas City Comets won the NPSL championship. From 2000 to 2003 Houser was part of the U.S. National Team Futsal Player Pool.
Collegiate Playing Career
In 2007, Houser was inducted into the Baker University Athletic Hall of Fame as the first men's soccer player. As a player Houser was a first team All-America selection in 1992 and 1993, as well as an NSCAA first team All-America selection. He garnered honorable mention status in 1991. Houser was Conference, District and Regional Player of the Year during that time as well. In 1992 he was part of the United States Olympic Festival and won a silver medal as part of the final field of 64 for the 1992 Olympic team. Nate finished his career with 162 points in his Baker career and still holds the season record for goals and points and is the career assist leader with 35. Houser also played in the Umbro Senior Bowl in the spring of 1994 before graduating.
