SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Augustana University head soccer coach Brandon Barkus has elevated assistant coach Aric Spader to a full-time position with the program. Spader joined the Viking soccer program in 2015 as a graduate assistant and now enters his fifth season with Augustana athletics.  

Spader is thrilled to be continuing his career with the Viking soccer program. 

"I'm honored to accept this new role and I have to thank Josh Morton, Ann Traphagen, and Brandon Barkus for the opportunity to continue working at such a great institution," Spader said. "I am excited to be a part of the bright future not only of the women's soccer program here at Augustana but the university as a whole."

This past fall, Spader helped lead Augustana soccer to their fourth NCAA tournament in the last five seasons. In all five seasons Spader has worked with the Vikings Augustana has secured double-digit wins, including a dozen wins in 2018. 

Viking head coach Brandon Barkus knows just how much of an asset Spader is to the program.

"Aric means a ton to our program," Barkus said. "He is incredibly committed to the success of the student athletes both on and off the field. His positive energy and boundless enthusiasm creates such a tremendous environment for our team."

Spader played four years of high school soccer at Washington High School and six years of club soccer for Dakota Gold. He played collegiality at Mount Marty College, where his career was cut short due to injury. After transferring South Dakota State after his playing days were over, Spader immediately began his coaching career with Dakota Alliance Soccer Club, and with local high school soccer teams in the Sioux Falls area. 

In 2014, Spader was an assistant at Roosevelt High School, helping guide the girls' soccer team to a 9-2-1 record, which was good enough to qualify for postseason play. The team also played an exciting brand of soccer on the field, scoring 28 goals on the year.

Spader has been a club coach for Dakota Alliance Soccer Club for the past seven years, coaching a variety of age groups. He has had at least one of his teams win the South Dakota State Cup and qualify for the regional tournament. To go along with that, 13 of the 16 girls listed on the U18 girl's roster went on to play college soccer ranging from Division I to NAIA. The former Washington High graduate currently holds a USSF National "C" License.

Spader graduated from South Dakota State University in 2015 with a major in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. Spader earned a master's degree from Augustana in Sports Administration and Leadership in May of 2017.