Former NIU women’s soccer Volunteer Assistant Coach Angela (Righeimer) Staveskie returned to the NIU sidelines August 4, 2016 as an Assistant Coach for the program. Staveskie works with the team's goalkeepers.
"I am absolutely thrilled to be back at NIU as an assistant coach and feel extremely grateful for this opportunity. As a volunteer assistant, the guidance I received from John was crucial and really prepared me for this next step. I'd like to thank the NIU Athletic Department for the warm welcome back as they made me feel like I never left,” said Staveskie. “I'm so excited to be back with the girls. The current seniors, Jess, Haley, Jackie and Alex were freshmen when I joined the staff as a volunteer and watching them grow both on and off the field is one of the invaluable benefits of being a college coach."
Staveskie spent the last year at Chicago City Soccer Club as the Director of High School Girls and Club Coach, overseeing the U9, U11, U15 and U18 teams. As well as coaching, she developed the club’s summer program, helped increase club exposure and college scholarship opportunities for players, as well as handled administrative duties for 10 teams which included schedules and tournament organization.
She also earned her “C” coaching license from the USSF this past year. Staveskie has also completed three levels of the NSCAA’s goalkeeper certification licenses.
The Park Ridge, Ill., native spent two years as a volunteer assistant at NIU from 2014-15, helping the Huskies to a 4-4-3 record in Mid-American Conference play and a MAC Tournament First Round draw over Miami (Ohio) to advance the program to its first semifinal berth since 2007. Staveskie was crucial in the development of goalkeeper Amy Annala, who received MAC All-Freshman and All-Tournament team accolades.
After a couple short coaching stints and spending some time working in the business field, she came to NIU to pursue a master's degree in sports management.
She cut her coaching teeth with Tampa United Soccer Club from November 2011 to April 2012, assisting the head coach in team practices as a volunteer. She worked primarily with the U13 girl's team, specializing in goalkeeper training. In addition, she also offered private sessions during her time coaching at Tampa United.
As a player, Staveskie lettered four years at Toledo as a goalkeeper. The Rockets produced the best regular season MAC record in 2008 and 2010, winning the MAC Tournament in 2007 and 2008. Staveskie captained Toledo in 2010.
In the private sector, Steveskie worked for both Frito-Lay and TEKSystems.
