Mount Marty Women's Soccer Promotes Bob Ludahl to Assistant Coach
YANKTON, S.D. — Mount Marty University Athletics and Head Women's Soccer Coach Joe Chicks have announced the promotion of Bob Ludahl from Volunteer Assistant Coach to Assistant Coach. Ludahl, who recently served as a volunteer assistant with a primary focus on recruiting, steps into his expanded role following a historic season for the Lancers.
Ludahl played a key role in building the roster for Mount Marty's record-setting campaign. In Coach Chicks' inaugural 2025 season at MMU, the Lancers compiled an 8-8-3 overall record, setting a school record for wins while advancing to the semifinals of the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Tournament.
The promotion reunites Coach Chicks and Ludahl in an expanded capacity, building on a long-standing and proven partnership. Prior to coming to Mount Marty, Chicks and Ludahl worked together for several years, including transforming the Lower Columbia College women's soccer program into a regional powerhouse. During their tenure at Lower Columbia, they guided the Red Devils to three consecutive West Region Championships (2022–2024), back-to-back NWAC Championship Semifinal appearances (2022, 2023), and an undefeated conference season in 2022. Lower Columbia also earned three NWAC President's Cups for Academic Performance during that stretch, raising the team GPA to a department-high 3.75.
"I am beyond excited to step into this expanded role and work with Coach Chicks in a greater capacity," said Ludahl. "Joe and I have built a great working relationship over the years, starting prior to and continuing through our time at Lower Columbia, and I've seen firsthand the kind of culture and winning mindset he creates. Coming off a historic season here at Mount Marty, the momentum behind this program is incredible. I'm eager to build on that foundation and keep moving Lancer Women's Soccer forward."
Head Coach Joe Chicks expressed equal enthusiasm for keeping Ludahl on staff in an elevated position.
"Bob has been instrumental to our growth, especially with the relentless work he put into recruiting the team that just set our school win record and made the GPAC semifinals," said Chicks. "Having worked alongside Bob for years—both before and during our time at Lower Columbia—I know the level of dedication, accountability, and positive energy he brings every single day. I'm thrilled to have him in a role where he can have an even greater impact on our student-athletes and program on a day-in, day-out basis."
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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.
