IU Northwest picks Chesterton graduate Jordan Lewis to coach start-up men's soccer team
By Michael Osipoff
| Post-Tribune |
Jordan Lewis (14), who starred at Chesterton before ending his college career at Valparaiso, was named Indiana Northwest's first men's soccer coach. (Photo provided by Valparaiso athletics)
Ever since Jordan Lewis heard Indiana Northwest was adding men's soccer for the fall of 2019, he was interested in the new program's coaching position.
The former Chesterton star and 2008 graduate hoped his name would rise to the top of the list.
He got his wish.
Lewis, who also played collegiately at Loyola and Valparaiso and led Lowell's boys team last season, was named IUN's first men's soccer coach.
"I found my calling," Lewis said. "I've played soccer since I was a kid, I was raised in it, and this is what I was supposed to become.
"Throughout my life, sports have been my motivation to drive forward. I've recognized I can use that as a coach to get other student-athletes to get a higher education."
Lewis, also a standout in basketball and track at Chesterton, spent three seasons as an assistant and the reserve team coach at Ancilla, and one season as an assistant at St. Joseph's.
Indiana Northwest hired Chesterton graduate Jordan Lewis as its first men's soccer coach. (Photo provided by Indiana Northwest athletics)
Lewis was an all-state selection for the Trojans as a senior in 2007, leading them to the state title game. He was Post-Tribune Player of the Year in both 2006 and 2007.
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Lewis began his college career at Loyola before transferring to Valparaiso, and has Horizon League title and NCAA Tournament experience.
He has considerable expectations as IUN joins the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference for 2019-20.
"With the talent in Northwest Indiana, we can be a successful team," Lewis said. "Our first-season goal is to be competitive every game, have a winning record. We can be serious competitors."
Lewis impressed IUN athletic director Ryan Shelton.
"Jordan has a really strong connection to Northwest Indiana," Shelton said. "He was a very accomplished player in high school and he had a ton of success at the Division I level.
"He was the right person not only for his connections, but also for his soccer acumen and expertise in coaching. We wanted a young person who could bring a lot of energy. He checks a lot of boxes — he was the right candidate to balance all of it."
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