Nicki Rucki joined the Purdue Northwest women’s soccer program as an assistant coach in 2022 and is entering her third season with the team. A native of the Bay Area, Rucki brings over a decade of goalkeeping and coaching experience to her role.
Rucki’s collegiate playing career began at NCAA Division II San Francisco State University, where she distinguished herself as the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Goalkeeper of the Year and earned All-CCAA First Team honors during her sophomore year. She was also recognized as the Female Athlete of the Year at San Francisco State in 2018. She later transferred to NCAA Division I UC Davis, where she excelled as a standout goalkeeper for the Aggies over three seasons.
During her tenure at UC Davis, she received accolades such as Big West Conference Player of the Week for her remarkable performances against Boise State and Idaho State University. Rucki concluded her final season with a commendable 10-8 record, reflecting her leadership qualities and ability to perform under pressure.
Known for her infectious energy and deep passion for the sport, Rucki is eager to contribute to the growth of Purdue Northwest—both on and off the field. Tracy Hamm, her former head coach at UC Davis, praised her commitment, stating, "Nicki will bring a great energy and charisma to the program. She cared deeply for her teammates as a player, and I know she will bring that same commitment as a coach."
In her current role, Rucki aims to help develop the next generation of female leaders while making a significant impact on the PNW women's soccer program. "I’m beyond excited to be part of Coach Whisler's staff and to bring my competitive mindset and high energy to PNW," Rucki expressed. "I’m looking forward to working with a dedicated team and helping us establish ourselves as a competitive program."
Rucki holds a US Soccer Grassroots license along with United Soccer Coaches Diplomas in “Defining and Designing Development for the Modern Goalkeeper” and “The Women's Diploma: Developing Modern Players and Leading Modern Teams.” She earned her Bachelor’s degree in American Studies, with an emphasis in Law and Society, from UC Davis and obtained her Master’s degree in Communication from Purdue Northwest.
