Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University Director of Athletics Joe Reich has announced that Katie Mitchell will be taking over as the head coach for the Wingate women's soccer team. Mitchell joined the Bulldog staff as an assistant coach in March of 2023. She takes over the head coaching job after Jack Vundum took a position on the staff for Super League Carolina.

"Coach Katie totally impressed us throughout our interview process," Reich says. "She is high energy and extremely detail-oriented."

Mitchell joined the Bulldog coaching staff in 2023 after serving as the head coach at Manchester University for two years, starting in 2021. Mitchell also served as a head coach with the Charlotte Independence Soccer Club while on the Wingate staff. She currently holds her USC Premier Diploma and is in the process of earning her USSF B License. Prior to her stint as the head coach at Manchester, Mitchell was an assistant coach at the University of Indianapolis from July of 2019 through May of 2021. She helped guide UIndy to a sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament during her tenure.

"I would like to thank Athletic Director, Joe Reich, and the entire search committee for the opportunity to lead the women's soccer program here at Wingate," Mitchell says. "I would also like to thank Coach Vundum for his unwavering support and mentorship throughout the past year. I am honored to be trusted to continue to grow this program in the impressive direction it is already heading. The student-athletes who represent Wingate Soccer inspire me to continue the strong tradition of success. I am extremely excited to get started and continue building a legacy both on and off the field here at Wingate. The future is bright, go Bulldogs!"

Mitchell's first season on the Bulldog staff was a successful one that saw the Bulldogs go 14-4-2 overall with a 9-2 record in league play. Wingate closed out the regular season on a seven-game winning streak. The 'Dogs earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year and third time in the last four seasons.

Mitchell earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of West Georgia in May of 2019, majoring in Sport Management. She earned her Master's degree in Sport Management from UIndy in May of 2021. A four-year student athlete at West Georgia, Mitchell earned All-Conference and All-Region honors as a midfielder and was named to the Gulf South Conference All-Academic Team. She holds the school's all-time record in assists. She finished her career with a school-record 21 assists, 16 goals and 53 points while leading the Wolves to four straight conference tournament appearances.
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Wingate University is a lab of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina and offers 60 degree pathways, including 37 undergraduate majors, 10 pre-professional tracks and five dual-degree programs. Graduate students choose from seven master's and five doctoral programs. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences, the Levine College of Health Sciences, the Byrum School of Business, the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a leader in healthcare education where nearly one in five undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 26 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award the past 15 times it has been awarded. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.