Soccer: Cheyenne Spade Joins Ragin’ Cajuns Coaching Staff

Former NC State, Tennessee letterwinner played last two years professionally in Sweden

Matt Sullivan, Associate Director of Athletics Communications

Cheyenne Spade

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LAFAYETTE – Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Women’s Soccer Coach Lance Key announced on Thursday the hiring of Cheyenne Spade as an assistant coach.
 
The hiring of Spade is subject to approval by the University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors.
 
A former women’s soccer letterwinner at both North Carolina State and Tennessee, Spade played the past two seasons in the women’s soccer professional ranks in Sweden where she was a midfielder for Enköping SK UK and Sandvikens IF.
 
Before embarking on her professional soccer career, Spade served as an assistant coach at both Towson University (2017) and Susquehanna (2016). During her lone season at Towson, Spade played a part in the development of All-Colonial Athletic Association players Maddie Bové and Taylor Sebolao.
 
"Cheyenne’s impact on our program will be immediate and significant. Her competitive experiences as a collegiate student-athlete will immediately translate to the young women in our program," Key said. "Her time playing professionally in Europe will provide additional insight and opportunities to learn for our student-athletes with ambition to play beyond the NCAA.
 
Cheyenne has committed a tremendous amount of time to serving the various communities she has been a part of, and we are excited to add her enthusiasm and love for others to our program to further enhance our scope of positive influence."
 
Spade joined the Susquehanna coaching staff in 2016 and helped guide the River Hawks to a 12-6 overall record and a 4-3 finish in the Landmark Conference, earning a berth in the league tournament. Spade’s duties included recruiting and meeting with prospective student-athletes, creating and running up-to-date drills and reviewing game film. Additionally, Spade organized a season timetable and scouted opposing teams. She motivated and encouraged student-athletes to achieve their goals both in practice and on the game field.
 
Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Spade held a legal internship at the Lycoming County (Pa.) Court of Common Pleas. She summarized and presented cases to Judge Marc Lovecchio, in addition to reviewing legal documents within criminal, family and business law. She appeared for status and settlement conferences and specifically addressed strategic issues with each case.
 
As a student-athlete, Spade spent two seasons at NC State where she appeared in 39 games from 2011-12. Spade scored a pair of goals and adding three assists as a second-year student-athlete and earned ACC Student-Athlete academic honors.
 
Spade then transferred to Tennessee for her final two seasons beginning in 2014. She appeared in 40 games for the Vols, scoring seven goals, including five in her final campaign. Spade logged the first goal for the Volunteers in the SEC Quarterfinals, scoring on a loose ball just three minutes into the match. Spade later scored the final Tennessee penalty kick, helping the Volunteers advance 5-4 on PKs to the SEC Semifinals.
 
The Richfield, Pa., native appeared in 79 games during her collegiate career, finishing with 28 total points on nine goals and 10 helpers. Spade graduated in May 2015 from Tennessee with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.
 
During her time in Knoxville, Spade logged more than 75 hours of community service. She worked closely with the Boys and Girls Club, the Knoxville Color Run and the Top Drawer Soccer Club. While she was in Raleigh, she contributed more than 100 hours of community service to the surrounding area, including Habitat for Humanity.
 
"Our priority in recruiting, whether staff or student-athletes, is to identify the right fit to move our program forward with human beings of great substance and character," said Key. "We believe Cheyenne’s contributions to our culture will be tremendous, and we are thrilled to add her to our family."
 
In 2014, Spade played for the Knoxville Force in the Women’s Premier Soccer League. She was named First-Team Southeast Conference.
 
Spade’s stint at Susquehanna was not her first time coaching as she was a coach with the FC Alliance from in 2015-16. She communicated effectively with parents and children, including organizing and leading practice. She planned and created relevant up-to-date drills to aid in team building and success. She also handled game file and statistical reports for game operations.
 
Spade obtained a U.S. Soccer 11v11 Coaching License in 2019.