Mary Carlson is entering is her first season ahead of the 2024-2025 academic year as Associate Head Coach of the Eastern Michigan University soccer team, as announced by Head Coach Taylor Clarke Tuesday, March 19.

Carlson, a former four-year player at Central Michigan University, has spent the last four years as Girls Associate Head Coach at Grace Christian Academy in Franklin, Tenn. She has also been a middle school mathematics teacher at the school for four years while taking on a Boys Assistant Soccer Coach role and Middle School Athletics Assistant role in 2022.

"We are so excited to be adding Mary to our staff," Clarke said at the time of her hiring. "She excels in connecting with student-athletes and helping them become better. We know she will be a great fit in our environment and shares our common goals, while also bringing new energy and fresh ideas to our identity. Mary comes with great experience in the MAC and will be really important to our players' growth and success."

During her time as a student-athlete at Central Michigan, Carlson started 78-of-78 possible games as a defender. She earned four Academic All-MAC honors, in addition to being named to the MAC All-Freshman team in 2015.

"I am beyond thankful to Taylor, Matt, and the EMU athletics staff for this incredible opportunity to join this program," Carlson said at the time of her hiring. "I am so excited to be back in the MAC and to help these young women not only compete at a high level but also grow into the best versions of themselves on and off the soccer field. Go Eagles!"

Carlson, who led the Chippewas in minutes played during all four seasons, was a two-time captain for her squad, being named Teammate of the Year at the 2019 Chippewa Athletic Awards, as well as the team's Most Valuable Player in 2018.

Carlson also has an extensive semi-professional résumé, serving as a player-coach and captain for Beaman United FC in the club's inaugural year in 2022 while also being named to Lansing United's Team of the Decade after spending 2018 and 2019 with the club. Furthermore, Carlson helped Grand Rapids FC secure the National Championship in the club's inaugural year in 2017.

Carlson originally hails from Grand Rapids, Mich., graduating from CMU in the spring of 2020 with a degree in Mathematics - Elementary Education.