New Era of Lady Lion Soccer Begins with Lindsay Riggs
New Era of Lady Lion Soccer Begins with Lindsay Riggs
Henderson, Tennessee — (June 30, 2023) — Twenty-two years after taking over as the head coach of the Lady Lions, Jason Elliott will step back from the women's game to focus on the Lion soccer program. With big shoes to fill, Athletic Director Jonathan Estes concluded after a lengthy search that the right woman to become the third head women's soccer coach at Freed-Hardeman University was FHU alumna Lindsay Riggs.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to coach so many Lady Lions soccer players over the years and the relationships we have," said Elliott. "So many have given so much to the program both while playing here and also donating financially in huge ways to the program for various improvements in athletics. We are extremely grateful."
Coming to Henderson from Oklahoma City's Mustang High School, Riggs has served as the head soccer coach for the Broncos since 2016. In her first season, Riggs made waves and was selected as an All-State coach. The following year, she was chosen as one of OKC's top prep coaches as an All-City coach.
In 2018, Riggs led her team to a 13-5 record, ending in the school's first trip to the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association championship game. A 1-0 loss did little to dash the hopes of Riggs and her Broncos, marching back to the title game one year later to end as runners-up in 2019 with a 14-3 record.
In 2020, the season ended in the OSSAA quarterfinals; however, after the 12-5 season Riggs was honored as the National High School Federation's Oklahoma Soccer Coach of the Year. In her tenure as the coach for MHS, Riggs will leave Oklahoma with an 87-33 record.
"I hope to bring in girls that want to come to FHU and know they have a place that they belong," said Riggs. "I hope to be a coach that helps these girls find success on the soccer field, but also success in their future as well."
Not a stranger to the world of college soccer, Riggs additionally served as an assistant coach for NCAA DII's Oklahoma Christian University Eagles from 2018-2021.
Before graduating, Riggs played four years for Coach Jason Elliott. She appeared in 65 matches, earning the start in the backfield for 27.
"Lindsay was a great player for us here, and an academic scholar athlete and I enjoyed coaching her," said Elliott of his new colleague. "She will do a great job and continue to recruit the great type of young ladies we need at FHU who will compete with class. It is great to have someone who knows and loves FHU leading this program to new heights."
Speaking about returning to her alma mater, Riggs said, "I remembered what my experience was like at FHU and I am wanting to be the reason why someone else gets to have that experience. Not only did I play soccer, but I got to have a great college experience all around and that is really what has helped me to get to the point of where I am at in my career now!"
"This is going to be an exciting time to be a Lady Lion," continued Coach Riggs, "and while I believe there is a strong culture in place already, I believe I will bring a new energy that is going to draw more players into wanting the FHU experience!"
"I am excited that Coach Riggs has decided to come back to FHU and lead our Lady Lions on the pitch," said FHU Athletic Director Jonathan Estes. "It was evident during the search and interview process that Coach Riggs believes in the transformative power of a team and embraces the mission of FHU and the athletic department to develop our students in the classroom, but also spiritually and in lives of service. She was a great leader and ambassador for Christ while she was a student-athlete and will lead our young women well in helping them to develop their God-given abilities for His glory. Her experiences as an assistant at the collegiate level and her successes as a head coach have prepared her well to take the reins of the women's program and lead these young women on and off the field.
Originally from Van Alstyne, Texas, Riggs graduated from Freed-Hardeman University with a Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology in 2011. She went on to earn a Master's in Sports Administration from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 2020.
The mission of Freed-Hardeman University is to help students develop their God-given talents for His glory by empowering them with an education that integrates Christian faith, scholarship and service. With locations in Henderson and Memphis, FHU offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist and doctoral degrees.
