Mount Marty Names Joe Chicks as New Head Coach of Women's Soccer Program

Yankton, SD - February 18th, 2025 - Mount Marty is excited to announce the hiring of Joe Chicks as the new head coach for women's soccer. Chicks brings with him a wealth of coaching experience, including a highly successful tenure at Lower Columbia College and Hockinson High School and extensive involvement at the club level.

Coaching Career Highlights

Chicks began his coaching career at the club level, progressing to a successful tenure as head girls soccer coach at Hockinson High School from 2015 to 2019. Chicks' record as the girls' coach was an impressive 68-32-3. Under his leadership, the Hockinson Hawks reached the WIAA 2A State Championship match in 2019 and were league champions in 2018. His teams also excelled academically, winning two WIAA Academic State titles. Chicks built a strong foundation by emphasizing sportsmanship, leadership and community service, including organizing charity events to support families battling DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma), a rare form of cancer.

At the collegiate level, Chicks became the head women's soccer coach at Lower Columbia College in 2020. Since taking over, he has transformed the program, leading them to three consecutive West Region Championships (2022-2024), NWAC Final Four appearances in 2022 and 2023, and an undefeated season in 2022. Chicks has also been named NWAC West Region Coach of the Year four times (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) and improved the team's academic performance with the women's soccer program achieving the highest GPA (3.75) among all athletic teams at Lower Columbia College.

Under his leadership, Lower Columbia College has achieved remarkable success:

• 2022: 14-3-6, West Region Champions, NWAC Championship Semifinals, Undefeated Conference Season

• 2023: 13-5-2, West Region Champions, NWAC Championship Semifinals

• 2024: 12-3, West Region Champions, NWAC Championship Quarterfinals

• Overall Record: 48-24-12, including a 32-3-4 conference record since 2022

Chicks also increased recruiting efforts, doubling the size of the soccer program while maintaining a focus on academic excellence. His leadership and vision have been instrumental in the growth and success of the Lower Columbia program and in enhancing the team's community engagement.

Coaching Philosophy & Leadership

As a coach, Chicks is committed to fostering a positive, inclusive and disciplined team culture. His approach focuses on developing student-athletes both on and off the field, setting high athletic and academic standards, and ensuring his teams operate with integrity. Chicks is passionate about building leadership among his players and creating an environment where student-athletes can thrive.

Background & Education

Chicks was a Ridgefield High School Wrestling State Champion (1999) and a North County Premier FC and Clark College standout soccer player. He earned his bachelor's degree in social sciences from Washington State University, graduating magna cum laude with concentrations in sociology, human development, and a minor in psychology. Chicks is pursuing a master's in coaching and athletics administration from Concordia University Irvine.

Notable Accomplishments:

• 3-time NWAC President's Cup Champions for Academic Performance

• 2021-2024 NWAC West Region Coach of the Year

• Undefeated Season at Lower Columbia College in 2022

• West Region Champions (2022, 2023, 2024)

• Improved Team GPA to 3.75, the highest among athletic programs at Lower Columbia College

• Increased Roster Size in Soccer Program while Improving Athletic and Academic Performance

• 2-time WIAA Academic High School State Champions

• NWAC West Region Soccer Chair

• NSCAA Advanced National Diploma

"We are thrilled to have Joe join Mount Marty University and the Athletic Department," said Andy Bernatow. His leadership, track record of success and dedication to athletic performance and academic achievement make him the perfect fit for our program. We are confident that Joe will continue to elevate Mount Marty women's soccer and provide our student-athletes with the tools they need to succeed at the highest level."

Chicks is excited to begin this new chapter with the Lancers. "I'm honored to be joining Mount Marty, and I am excited to lead the Lancer women's soccer program. I look forward to working with the student-athletes and staff to continue the progression of Mount Marty women's soccer," said Chicks. "My goal is to create an environment where players develop into well-rounded individuals who excel in all areas of their lives."

# # #

About Mount Marty University

Founded in 1936 by the Benedictine Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery, Mount Marty University is South Dakota's only Catholic institution of higher education. Located along the bluffs of the Missouri River in Yankton, with additional locations in Watertown and Sioux Falls, Mount Marty offers undergraduate and graduate degrees focusing on student and alumni success in high-demand fields such as health sciences, education, criminal justice, business, accounting, and more. A community of learners in the Benedictine tradition, Mount Marty emphasizes academic excellence and develops well-rounded students with intellectual competence, professional and personal skills and moral, spiritual and social values. To learn more, visit mountmarty.edu.