The Stephens Stars have a stellar Asst. Soccer Coach on the roster. Let’s get to know Alec Rathje!
Introduce yourself, tell us your sports background, and how you got to Stephens College.
My name is Alec Rathje and I am the first full-time Assistant Soccer Coach at Stephens College. I began playing soccer as many kids do, in small recreational leagues in their communities. Over time that love for sports expanded to include many other popular sports but once I got into high school, soccer consumed my life and became by largest passion. That led me down the path in 2019 to become a Student Assistant Coach once I enrolled in undergraduate studies at Wayne State College with their Soccer program. After 3 years and one Bachelor of Science in Sport Management later, I found myself at Tusculum University in Greeneville, Tennessee as their Women’s Soccer program Graduate Assistant Coach. Once I had completed my Master’s in Sport Management, I was hired onto the University of Indianapolis Women’s Soccer coaching staff in 2023. Once I realized being hours away from the closest family was not where I wanted to be I was able to arrive at Stephens College in Fall of 2024.
Why Stephens?
After learning more about the institution I loved the small school feel along with being in a decent sized city. Once I arrived I knew I would fit right into the Stephens culture.
What are you looking forward to this year?
I am looking for to helping a group of talented and intelligent student-athletes achieve success both on the field and in the classroom, and to leave a positive, lasting impact on Stephens in general.
What is your motivation or inspiration to work in athletics?
As someone who has a passion to help others, a love for athletics, and a competitive fire always burning, I knew that all three of those traits could be fulfilled as a coach through helping a group of student-athletes achieve their goals and aspirations in every aspect of life.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
I would say one of my favorite athletes and biggest inspirations is Andres Iniesta. As an undersized teenager playing against kids nearly double my size at times, he along with Leo Messi taught me that their size could be an advantage, even at the highest level in the world. Not only is he a masterful passer, dribbler and perhaps the greatest midfielder of all time, but his work and charity off the field should be an example for all athletes across the globe.
Happy to have you on the team, Alec!
#starpower #stephensproud
