US Athletics Director Ken McNish sent an e-mail to the community announcing new leadership for two large team sports. McNish wrote, “I am very happy to announce the hiring of two new Program Heads in the Department of Athletics. Ben Horsch is taking over as head of the boys hockey program and Paul Armstrong will head the girls soccer program.”

Horsch will enter his first full year as head coach after serving as the interim head coach this past season. Prior to SPA, Ben coached at Eastview High School, where the team earned the title of Academic State Champs. Before that Horsch was Varsity Assistant and Head Coach for the JV team at Lakeville South High School for four years. During his time there, he organized the New Generation AAA program and coached all levels of the Lakeville South Youth program in all three seasons, while also running their in-season and off-season training programs. Horsch brings a wealth of experience in implementing and running all aspects of a hockey program to Drake Arena.

Armstrong joins us after coaching at Blake since 2016. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Luther College and a Masters of Teaching from Hamline University. Since graduating, Armstrong has been in the classroom at Shakopee East Junior High School, Edina, and Blake. He has also coached at Shakopee Soccer Club, Minneapolis United, and Keliix Intra Soccer Club.