Courtesy of Grand Valley State Athletic Communications
ALLENDALE, Mich. – Grand Valley State Director of Athletics, Keri Becker, has announced the hiring of Katie Hultin as the fifth head coach in the history of the women's soccer program. Hultin takes over after four seasons at the University of Michigan, where she served as associate head coach for a program that reached the Division I NCAA Quarterfinals in 2021.
Hultin's primary role on the Wolverine staff was the defense, which pitched 12 clean sheets in 2021. She guided Alia Martin in her move from offense to defense for the 2021 season, helping her to United Soccer Coaches First Team All-American honors. Between three regular fall seasons, Hultin's defense collected 24 shutouts with the number growing each season.
"I want to thank GVSU Director of Athletics, Keri Becker, and the rest of the hiring committee for this wonderful opportunity. I am very excited to join the GVSU family and I can't wait to be a part of the Grand Valley State and Grand Rapids community.
I would also like to thank Jen Klein and the entire University of Michigan Women's Soccer staff for their mentorship and friendship during my time in Ann Arbor. Jen, in particular has always been and always will be an amazing mentor and friend and I appreciate the support she has shown me throughout my career," Hultin said.
"I am honored to have the opportunity to continue my coaching journey at an institution that values athletic and academic success. Grand Valley has a decorate history of athletic success that I am thrilled to be a part of. Our mission will be to set a standard of excellence and strive to improve every day. I am incredibly excited to be a Laker and I can't wait to meet the GVSU soccer community, the fans, and the alumni! Anchor Up!"
In addition to Martin, Hultin also played a major role in the development of All-Big 10 performers Jayde Riviere, who went on to win the Olympic gold medal, Raleigh Loughman, Nicki Hernandez and Sarah Stratigakis.
"I am extremely excited to welcome Katie to our Grand Valley State family and look forward to watching her build upon the outstanding foundation within our women's soccer program," Becker said. "We had a highly qualified and impressive pool of candidates for this position and, in conversations with Katie, she stood out as someone who is committed to building a culture of success both on and off the field that will best fulfill our mission of providing our student-athletes with a championship-level experience."
Prior to her time at Michigan, Hultin spent two seasons on staff at the University of Oregon, while serving as an assistant coach on the U.S. Soccer U17, U18 and U19 women's national team, working with the goalkeepers as the team earned a CONCACAF Championship. She spent two prior seasons at the University of Illinois and was the goalkeepers coach at Seattle University, where she worked from 2009 through March of 2014.
Hultin earned a degree in biology from Washington State University in 2005. At WSU, she was a four-year letterwinner on the soccer team. Upon graduation, she owned career records in shutouts (21) and saves (248), and was third all-time in wins with 23. She was a three-time All-Pac-10 honoree and team MVP in 2004. Hultin also has professional playing experience as a member of the W-League's Arizona Heatwave, Mile High Mustangs and the Seattle Sounders. She also participated in the 2009 Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) pre-season.
Hultin originally hails from Denver, Colorado, and was a member of the Colorado State ODP team and Region IV team from 1997-2001. Her coaching experience also includes being the Girls' Coaching Director at FC Alliance and on the Region IV ODP staff. She currently holds her USFF A License. Hultin and her wife, Susan, have three children; twin boys Owen and Wilder and a daughter, Scotty.
Grand Valley State's seven national championships are the most in Division II history, including back-to-back titles in 2019, under now-Michigan State head coach Jeff Hosler, and in 2021 under Jim Conlon, who departed following the season due to personal reasons.
