The Valparaiso University men’s soccer program has announced the departure of assistant coach David Stroud, who has accepted a head coaching position at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor, Mich.

Stroud spent four seasons on Valpo’s staff, serving as the goalkeepers coach under head coach Mike Avery.

“David has done a tremendous job with our goalkeepers and with the entire team during his tenure with our program,” Avery said. “I’m extremely excited that he has received this opportunity to move on and take a head coaching job. He leaves big shoes to fill with our goalkeepers because we have been tremendously successful in that area, and he’s had a lot to do with that.”

Under Stroud's direction, Nico Campbell enjoyed an illustrious Crusader career, eventually leading to a professional contract with the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL right after his college playing days. Campbell, the 2015 Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year, finished his Crusader career with 22 shutouts, one shy of matching Kyle Zobeck's program record. 

During the 2017 season, Stroud worked with starting goalkeeper Nacho Miras, who finished in the Top 10 in program history for goals against average in a single season in his first year as the starter.

“In my time at Valpo, I learned that the most important aspect of a successful program is the culture,” Stroud said. “I appreciate that Mike had complete confidence in me as an assistant coach. I also have great respect for Mike’s time-management skills. He’s always able to juggle doing what’s best for his family and what’s best for his team, and he has cultivated a family-oriented environment around the team.”