CLUB DIRECTOR
Priorities and balance are key for Natalie, she is a mother and wife who uses soccer as a vehicle to inspire individuals to bring the best out of themselves on and off the field. She will always ask those she works with to find balance, time for those they love, and to crave "the win" on and off the field.
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Natalie is a Missoula native, she attended Big Sky High School where her team won 2 state titles in 1994 and 1995. She was the first Missoula player to play for the University of Montana from 1996-2000. While playing, the Griz won 3 Big Sky Conference Championships and made two appearances in the NCAA National Tournament, where they won the 1st round match in 2000. She was an Assistant Coach (Goalkeepers) under Betsy Duerksen following her playing career from 2001-2004. She stepped away from soccer to begin a new career as a Recreation Specialist at the University of Montana Campus Recreation where she oversaw Intramural Sports and Summer Youth Camps for 18 years. Almost six years ago she was asked to train a young rising goalkeeper. Little did she know this goalkeeper would bring the love for soccer back into Natalie's life. She became the Head Coach for Hellgate High School in 2020 where she led the program to the state semi-final for the first time in school history in 2020, and again in 2021.
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While attending and working at the University of Montana Natalie earned 2 bachelor degrees in Recreation Management and Psychology and she has a Masters in Public Administration. She has 20 years of leadership and administration experience within the field of sports and recreation and a lifetime of experience in our community. Her lifetime of community experience has garnered her a reputation of outstanding public relations necessary to oversee a non-profit organization in our community. She is excited to use her foundational leadership abilities that include public relations, communication, organizational skills, programming experience, and fundraising efforts to build on the outstanding reputation Strikers has set over its 40 year history.
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"I am beyond excited and honored to fill the role of Executive Director for the Missoula Strikers. As an individual who is a born and raised Missoulian, who has played and coached soccer at every level in our beautiful community, you can imagine how thrilling it is for me to have my professional career land me in such a role. To me, it is as if my journey was set in this trajectory, although the path was long, it is clear this is where I need to be."