Chicago State University Men's Soccer

Norris Howze was elevated to head mens soccer coach July 1, 2022 after serving as the head coach in an interim role since February 25, 2022 and takes over the Chicago State mens soccer program in advance of the Cougars joining the Mid-American Conference (MAC) beginning with the 2022-23 academic year.  Howze comes to Chicago State after a stint as an assistant coach at the University of Memphis, where he was hired in 2017. With Howze on staff, the Tigers reached new heights in 2019, as they won 10 matches for the first time since 2011. In addition, five players earned selections to all-conference teams. Before joining Memphis, served as the director of operations at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. As the director of operations at UAB, Howze was responsible for the organization of travel and meals for the Blazers along with day-to-day office operations. While at UAB, Howze also had the opportunity to travel to the Netherlands and Italy, both as as a player and director of operations. While playing for UAB from 2010-13 as defensive midfielder, Howze appeared in 69 games. In 2011, he was selected to the UAB Soccer For A Cure Classic All-Tournament team for his role in helping the Blazers to the championship. Howze was also the team's Most Improved Player in 2011. After his UAB run, Howze continued his playing career for two summers with the Birmingham Hammers, a team in the National Premier Soccer League, in 2015 and 2016. He also served as the BUSA Academy coach in the spring of 2014, the Oak Mountain High School freshman head coach and assistant varsity coach in 2014 and 2015, and the Vestavia Academy coach in 2015 to 2017. A native of Hoover, Ala., Howze was a four-year varsity starter at Hoover High School coached by Kris Keplinger. Coming into college, Howze was the No. 6 player in the South by TopDrawerSoccer.com. In 2009, he was named to the North-South All-Star contest and was an all-state and all-metro selection following his senior year.

Ponder joins Chicago State on the heels of a three-year tenure as head men's soccer coach at Muskingum University, an NCAA Division III program based in Concord, Ohio. During his time at Muskingum, Ponder's team set school record the longest winning streak in Muskingum history to start the 2019 season. While at Muskingum, Ponder powered the Fighting Muskies to their first conference win in six years for the soccer program. Coach Ponder recruited players from all over the world, including Morgan McKenna, who was selected to represent Guam for their World Cup qualifying campaign. Prior to his time at Muskingum, Ponder served as the Director of Coaching for the Ohio Fusion Soccer Club. He spent the previous five years coaching collegiately at Wright State University, Valparaiso University and the University of Mount Union. While an assistant at Valparaiso, Ponder helped lead the team to a top-25 ranking and an overall record of 25-16-15, which included a 10-5-4 season in 2016. Ponder mentored and directed a number student-athletes who were recognized with individual awards within the conference and region, including a Goalkeeper of the Year, a slew of first and second team all-conference selections, as well as a number of NSCAA regional nominations. Several of those student-athletes were selected to represent their respective national teams. In 2013, Ponder transitioned to college athletics as a volunteer assistant at the University of Mount Union. He also honed his skills coaching in the club ranks at Canton United SC, Knoxville FC, Bloomington Cutters SC, Indiana Elite FC and Three Lions United Soccer Club before being named assistant coach at Wright State in 2017. While at Wright State University, he coached two players who were selected to the MLS Superdraft in 2018. Ponder began his coaching career as an undergraduate student at Indiana University with the Bloomington Cutters Soccer Club. While enrolled at Indiana, he organized and implemented training sessions, assisted in the development of player skills and aided in recruitment efforts. Ponder graduated from Indiana University in 2006 with a Bachelor's degree. He then continued his education at the University of Tennessee, earning a Master's degree in 2010.