Purdue University Northwest Women's Soccer

Evans comes to Purdue Calumet with five seasons of NCAA Division I coaching experience, including her most recent position as interim head coach at Mid-American Conference member Bowling Green State University in 2012. While at Bowling Green, Evans handled all coaching and instruction including practices and off-season practices, developed the teams recruiting plan, oversaw the annual budget, managed the academic progress of student-athletes and coordinated and directed the BGSU womens soccer youth camps, clinics and tournaments. Before serving as interim head coach for the Falcons, Evans served as BGSUs assistant for one season after two years as an assistant at Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. There, Evans was part of a coaching staff tabbed as the Missouri Valley Conference Staff of the Year after she helped lead the Redbirds to a 12-7-1 record and both the league regular-season and tournament championships in 2009. ISU was impressive in the classroom as well, as the 2010 squad which finished 9-7-2 on the pitch scored a department record 3.69 grade point average and boasted an astounding 11 players with a perfect 4.0. Prior to Illinois State, Evans spent one season as an assistant coach for Oregon State University of the PAC-12. While in Corvallis, she helped prepare practice sessions, served as the Assistant Director for all OSU soccer camps and academies, and handled all aspects of team travel, among other duties. A native of Brandon, Fla., Evans was a standout player at Division I Auburn University, where she set the school record for assists in a season with 13 during the 2000 campaign. In her junior season, Evans helped lead the Tigers to the programs only Southeastern Conference regular-season title in 2002. Auburn won the SEC tournament championship in 2011. Prior to accepting the position at Purdue Calumet, Evans who has her bachelors degree in public relations from Auburn served as a regional director for Challenge Teamwear, a soccer clothing and equipment company in Tampa, Fla., as well as the commissioner for the youth-soccer based Sunshine State Soccer Association.

Mary Whisler was named Head Women's Soccer Coach at Purdue Northwest in January, 2022 and enters her fifth season at the helm in 2026.   In the 2024 campaign, Whisler helped guide PNW to its best season in program history since entering in NCAA Division II. The squad ended with seven overall wins and four GLIAC wins including a thrilling 1-1 tie against #2 Grand Valley State on the road. Purdue Northwest also ended the season breaking several team records including most assists (16), most shots (188), fewest goals allowed (18), and most corner kicks (67). The record-setting season also earned them a spot in the 2024 GLIAC Women's Soccer Tournament. Whisler joined Purdue Northwest after three seasons as an assistant coach at Cal State East Bay. The Pioneers made their first trip to the NCAA Division II national tournament last season.   Whisler helped CSU East Bay capture the 2021 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament Championship and automatic bid to the NCAA DII tournament. The Pioneers finished 11-5-5 overall and third in the final league table last season. It marked CSU East Bay's first winning season in 12 years. Whisler was responsible for all facets of recruiting and helped assist with camps, fundraising and community service activities. She helped mentor nine all-conference selections including Lauren McDougal, who was named a DII All-West Region performer in 2019.   Prior to CSU East Bay, Whisler served three seasons as an assistant at NCAA DI Saint Mary's College (CA). Her duties with the Gaels included equipment management, video editing, assisting with training, assisting with recruiting visits, assisting with camps, and planning travel. Prior to that, Whisler spent two seasons at NCAA DII Academy of Art, where she helped guide the program to its second-best record ever in 2015.   Before moving to the Bay Area, Whisler founded the women's soccer program at Owens Community College in Perrysburg, Ohio in 2011. She coached her way to a 42-12-5 record overall for the Express, which was ranked as high as 14th in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) poll and 10th in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll. She was named 2013 NJCAA Region XII Coach of the Year after guiding her team to a 17-2-2 record and a trip to the national tournament.   Whisler was a highly decorated student-athlete in the University of Saint Francis (IN). She graduated with her B.A. in psychology in 2009 as a two-time All-American, two time Academic All-American, three-time First Team All-Conference selection, two-time First Team All-Region selection, and two-time team captain for the Cougars.

Nicki Rucki joined the Purdue Northwest women’s soccer program as an assistant coach in 2022 and is entering her third season with the team. A native of the Bay Area, Rucki brings over a decade of goalkeeping and coaching experience to her role. Rucki’s collegiate playing career began at NCAA Division II San Francisco State University, where she distinguished herself as the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Goalkeeper of the Year and earned All-CCAA First Team honors during her sophomore year. She was also recognized as the Female Athlete of the Year at San Francisco State in 2018. She later transferred to NCAA Division I UC Davis, where she excelled as a standout goalkeeper for the Aggies over three seasons. During her tenure at UC Davis, she received accolades such as Big West Conference Player of the Week for her remarkable performances against Boise State and Idaho State University. Rucki concluded her final season with a commendable 10-8 record, reflecting her leadership qualities and ability to perform under pressure. Known for her infectious energy and deep passion for the sport, Rucki is eager to contribute to the growth of Purdue Northwest—both on and off the field. Tracy Hamm, her former head coach at UC Davis, praised her commitment, stating, "Nicki will bring a great energy and charisma to the program. She cared deeply for her teammates as a player, and I know she will bring that same commitment as a coach." In her current role, Rucki aims to help develop the next generation of female leaders while making a significant impact on the PNW women's soccer program. "I’m beyond excited to be part of Coach Whisler's staff and to bring my competitive mindset and high energy to PNW," Rucki expressed. "I’m looking forward to working with a dedicated team and helping us establish ourselves as a competitive program." Rucki holds a US Soccer Grassroots license along with United Soccer Coaches Diplomas in “Defining and Designing Development for the Modern Goalkeeper” and “The Women's Diploma: Developing Modern Players and Leading Modern Teams.” She earned her Bachelor’s degree in American Studies, with an emphasis in Law and Society, from UC Davis and obtained her Master’s degree in Communication from Purdue Northwest.