Slyter Named Softball Head Coach

MOORHEAD, Minn. (7/14/16)—Concordia interim Athletic Director Rachel Bergeson announced that Chad Slyter has been named the new head coach for the Cobber softball program.   

Slyter was the head coach for the Fargo Shanley High School softball team - a position he had held since 2013. Befire his three years with the Deacons Slyter had been the head coach at Valley City State for 10 seasons.  

"We are very fortunate to be able to announce Chad as the next head coach for the softball team," stated Bergeson. "He has coaching experience at the college and high school levels and his knowledge of the area will help in recruiting local student/athletes."

Slyter guided Fargo Shanley to three straight North Dakota State High School Tournament appearances. The Deacons finished fourth at this year's state tournament. He finished his three seasons at Shanley with a 54-28 record and was named the Eastern Dakota Conference Coach of the Year in 2015.

"Concordia is a good fit for me as a person and a coach," said Slyter. "Mike Reese (former Concordia head coach) did a great job getting the program to where it is today and I am excited to continue building the team in order to get to the next level."

Slyter also cited the fact that taking the job meant he will be able to get back to the college game. Slyter was head coach at Valley City State from 2000-2013. During his tenure at VCSU he was named the Dakota Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2011 and helped the Vikings claim the Region III NAIA tournament championship in 2006.

Slyter finished with 206 wins during his time at Valley City State which is still the most of any head coach in program history. He posted six straight 20-win seasons and his teams set, or reset, over 30 program records. The 2009 squad had the fifth highest grade point average of any NAIA team in the nation and during his 10 seasons as head coach at Valley City State his squads had a 3.35 GPA average.

Slyter earned his bachelor's degree from Valley City State in Education in 1995 and went on to earn his master's degree in Psychology from Capella University.  

"I want to thank Rachel (Bergeson) and the entire search committee for their time and effort during the hiring process," finished Slyter. "They exemplified the Concordia spirit and I am looking forward to working in the department.

Slyter, his wife Jessica and their four children - Abby, Olivia, Avery and Greyson – live in Fargo.