Aurora University Men's Soccer

Ryan Lakin became the Head Coach of the Aurora University mens soccer program in May of 2014. In his time at AU, Lakin has led the Spartans to a 69-46-11 overall record. He was named the 2019 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Spartans to the first conference championship since 2004. Prior to coming to AU, Lakin spent nine seasons as the Illinois Wesleyan University men's soccer coach. In nine seasons at IWU he had a 67-75-16 overall record. Lakin was a three-time Coach of the Year in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin while at Millikin University (1998, 1999, 2001). After departing Millikin University, Lakin spent seven months coaching in the United Soccer League at the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. He returned to the Chicago area and assisted Directing the FC Barrington and Barrington Recreational Soccer Association for two years.  He returned to the college coaching at Illinois Wesleyan University before coming home to Chicago and Aurora University.  A 1995 graduate of Illinois State University, Lakin was the men's and women's soccer coach at Millikin from 1998 to 2002. His men's teams compiled a record of 54-29-3 (.645) in five seasons with a league co-championship in 2001. His Big Blue women's teams were 27-60-4 overall (.319) and 4-31 in the CCIW (.114) over the same period. Lakin played collegiate soccer at Illinois State University and earned Most Improved Player for the 1992 Redbirds team and was a 1993 team captain. He was chosen to the Missouri Valley Conference all-league and all-tournament squads, and was named to the all-Midwest region team. He was an assistant coach for the Lincoln College men's soccer team in 1994 and was director of coaching for the Bloomington-Normal Soccer Club from 1995 to 1998. Lakin was assistant director of coaching at Barrington (Ill.) Area Soccer Association and FC Barrington, where he was responsible for the operation and oversight of 2,000 recreational players, 35 travel teams and 15 staff coaches. He is also part of the Olympic Development coaching staff and an instructor on the coaching education staff for the State of Illinois. With the Illinois Youth Soccer Association and FC Barrington, Lakin co-developed and co-instructed the first pilot program for the development of a recreational coaching license. Lakin holds his USSF A, B, and C licenses and an USSF National Youth License and is a consultant to the National Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Club Standards Project.

Sal Garcia joined the Aurora University Athletic Department as a Graduate Assistant for the Spartan Men’s Soccer program.   Garcia graduated from Aurora University in the winter of 2023, earning bachelor’s degrees in marketing and business administration.   Garcia was a four-year member of the Spartan Men’s Soccer program. His career culminated of being named a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference All-Conference performer during his sophomore season, as well as the team leader in assists his senior season.  Garcia is a native from Batavia, Illinois.