Wichita, Kan. - The Friends University Athletic Department has announced that Men's Soccer coach Nathan Wilkey will assume the duties of head coach for the women's program effective immediately. Wilkey has guided the men's program over the past four years and is very familiar with the structure of the women's program. During the mid-1990's Wilkey coached the Sterling men and women soccer programs and has also coached women's teams on the high school level.

"I kept thinking about what would be best for both programs as we began the search for a women's coach" stated Friends A.D. Joe Zimmerman. "What became very apparent to me was that Nathan's experience and success in the men's program, combined with his organizational skills was exactly what we needed for the women's program. So why not have Nathan oversee both?"

The key in the process was assembling a quality assistant coaching staff that would help both programs to be successful. The Falcons have hired Mike Darrah who most recently served as head soccer coach at Maize High, as well as John Darrah who will be assisting in both coaching and recruiting. Assistant coach Matt Delpini will also return giving the Falcons several experienced resources that will benefit the student athletes of each program.

Coach Wilkey commented: "I know one of the keys to success in each program is that the student athletes in each sport feel and believe they are getting equal attention. Given the staff we have assembled I know we can accomplish this as both programs need to have their own identities. It's going to be a lot of fun".

The women's program will open their season August 31 on the road versus Bellevue University. The men's team will open September 1 at home versus Central Christian University.

Both teams will conduct their alumni scrimmages on Saturday, August 25^th at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at Adair-Austin stadium.