Baker Soccer “A new Direction”
            The Baker University Men’s Soccer program is moving in a new direction. For the first time ever, the program will be run by a player it has produced.  Nate Houser (’94) has been named the Director of Soccer for the University.  This new job includes being the head coach for both the Men’s and Women’s programs.  Coach Houser has spent the last five years as the head women’s coach. Under Houser the women’s program has grown from a squad of 15 players to one of 35, which includes a JV team.  Last years women’s team made the Region V playoffs and received top 25 votes under Houser’s’ direction.  The Women’s team has also produced 2 All Americans and 5 first team All Heart of America performers in the last three years.  Coach Houser is excited to continue this type of success with a men’s program that has had 26 NAIA All Americans and 40All-Region players in it’s history.
           
            After graduating from Baker, Coach Houser played professionally for 12 years in both the MISL and the A-League.  During this time he entered the coaching profession at the youth level and attained his USSF B license.  Upon his retirement from playing in 2005 he completed his USSF A license course.  Houser’s time spent as an ODP Age Group Director, Director of Coaching and the time spent building the Women’s program has prepared him for this great challenge.

            The season ahead looks to be a very exciting one as the Men and Women both look to move forward from the playoff appearances they made last year.  A new alumni group has also jumped on board to support the Wildcats.  Both teams are looking at a difficult non conference schedule as the men face off against defending National Champion Azusa Pacific, and the women face perennial top 10 Point Loma Nazarene at Laguna Beach High School early next season.  These games will give both programs an early glimpse of where they rank nationally.