NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State women's soccer head coach Brad Silvey announced the hiring of Angela Widlacki as assistant coach Monday. Widlacki joins the Redbird coaching staff after having served as a graduate assistant with the soccer program during the 2017 season.
"I am absolutely thrilled to have Angela accept the role as our full-time assistant coach," said Silvey. "The minute she arrived on campus, it was apparent she had plenty to offer our teams and this program. She has a wealth of soccer knowledge and an innate ability to connect with our student athletes and recruits. She is also a defender by trade, so her experience in that area of the field will help to solidify our defensive efforts as we move our program forward. Angela makes our program better in every facet, so this is wonderful timing and an outstanding hire as we enter the 2018 season!"
Widlacki played soccer at Penn State and was a member of the 2015 NCAA National Championship team. She also tallied three consecutive regular season conference championships and a conference tournament championship during her time in State College, Pennsylvania. She was a two-time recipient of Academic All-Big Ten honors as well.
Even through multiple season-ending injuries, Widlacki continued to serve as a beacon of positivity and leadership. Between her rehabilitation and training, she studied coaching under Penn State women's soccer head coach Erica Dambach (Walsh) and assisted her in halftime discussions. Dambach has had an illustrious coaching career, including past stops with U.S. Soccer as assistant coach for the U.S. Women's National Team where she contributed during their 2008 Olympic gold medal finish and their victorious 2011 World Cup run.
"Even as a student-athlete at Penn State, it was obvious that Angela was going to be a talented coach," said Dambach. "She provided invaluable insight for our staff and always worked hard to serve her teammates. Angela's ability to battle adversity is second to none and her experiences in our program have provided her a solid foundation for working with the Redbird program. We're thrilled that Ang has decided to pursue this coaching opportunity and can't wait to follow her success now and in the future."
Throughout Illinois State's 2017 season, Widlacki was primarily responsible for long-term planning including organizing and managing all team travel arrangements, coordinating events, developing itineraries and schedules as well as assisting in daily operations. Her vast and diverse experience in all aspects of collegiate soccer has made her a vital part of the Redbird soccer program.
"This role is really, really special to me," said Widlacki. "I am ecstatic and grateful to have the opportunity to contribute more to the university I'm studying at and my parents' alma mater. I'd like to thank the staff and the entire team for the way they have welcomed me into their Redbird Soccer family since the day I stepped on campus. I could not be more excited to get out on the field with them so that I can give more to this very talented, caring, and hard-working group!"
Widlacki graduated from Penn State in 2017 with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology and will continue pursuing her master's degree in sport management at Illinois State, while serving as an assistant coach.
A native of Naperville, Illinois, Widlacki attended Naperville North High School and helped lead her team to two state championships and one second place finish. Both her parents, Stan and Ann, are Illinois State alumni.
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