Northwestern University Athletics
Erik Ronning Promoted to Associate Head Coach
2/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Feb. 23, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern head men's soccer coach Tim Lenahan has announced the promotion of Erik Ronning from assistant coach to associate head coach. Ronning will handle aspects of Northwestern's recruiting and will continue to assist with game preparation and player development.
Lenahan is excited about Ronning's new role and feels as though his new associate head coach has a very bright future in Evanston and beyond.
"Erik has done an outstanding job in helping to build this program," he said. "His work ethic and passion for coaching is second to none. He did a great job in running the team during my absence this year and the victories over Duke and Loyola showed that he is soon ready to be a very good head coach at the Division I level. This is a deserved and well-earned promotion."
Ronning served as interim head coach this past season while filling in for Coach Lenahan who was away at the funeral of his mother and recorded a 2-1 record. One of those victories was an emotional win over perennial ACC power Duke on the road.
Before coming to Northwestern, Ronning spent four seasons at Colgate as the top assistant. During that time, he presided over all aspects of recruiting, off-season workouts and individual training sessions. Ronning also was the faculty liaison to the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
Ronning graduated from Colgate University in 1996 with a degree in history. A four-year starter for the Red Raiders, Ronning earned All-Patriot League first-team honors in 1996. He was also named captain and Team MVP during the 1996 season. Ronning is currently working on his masters of arts and teaching from Colgate.
Ronning holds an NSCAA National and Advanced National diploma and has coached in the New York State West Olympic Development Program, where he was responsible for selecting and coaching the under-15 (1999), under-17 (2000) and under-14 (2000-01). Ronning also works with the Chicago Sockers' top-talent program. He was recently received his "A" coaching license from the USSF, which is the highest certification.
In 2002, Ronning was recognized as one the top assistant coaches in Division I by College Soccer News after helping to recruit what was considered the nation's 28th best recruiting class.
This past year the 'Cats recorded their first .500 or better season since 1988 after going 7-7-6 and advancing to the Big Ten Tournament semifinal game.
