ARCATA, Calif. -- Cal Poly Humboldt is excited to celebrate a significant milestone for its Women's Soccer program. The year 2025 will mark 30 years since the team's inception to NCAA competition, and the program is planning a year-long celebration to highlight three decades of student-athletes and coaches. Over the next year, Cal Poly Humboldt women's soccer (formerly Humboldt State University) will be profiling alumni who have both impacted the program and are making a difference in their careers and communities. This edition features former player and now Director of Development at Cal Poly Humboldt,
Stacie Lyans.
Stacie Lyans graduated from Humboldt with a degree in Journalism in 2002 and went on to earn her MBA in 2005. She was a member of the women's soccer team from 1998 to 2001, playing as a forward—quick on the field, though she humorously recalls having a "funny run." One of her favorite moments on the field came during Senior Day, when she scored the tying goal in the final home game of the season against Seattle Pacific. Off the field, one of her most memorable experiences was a travel mishap en route to Cal Poly Pomona, when the team accidentally arrived at Pomona Pitzer College due to a wrong turn by the assistant coach, Torrey. With no cell phone GPS available at the time, they only realized the mistake after wandering around the scenic, historic campus. The team ultimately reached the correct destination just 30 minutes before kickoff, with a shortened warm-up—and still pulled off a win. From then on, they continued using shorter warm-ups for the rest of the season.
Reflecting on her time at Humboldt, Stacie shares how transformative the experience was. Originally from Los Angeles, she experienced culture shock arriving in Humboldt as a "city girl," and initially felt out of place. Over time, however, the campus and community became home. She earned two degrees, built a career, met lifelong friends and her partner, and has spent nearly 15 years working at the University. The Humboldt Graduation Pledge for Social and Environmental Responsibility remains a guiding principle in her life, and she continues to live by its values. Stacie is proud to be both a Humboldt graduate and an employee, dedicating herself to making a positive impact in the world.
Academically, Stacie excelled during her time as a student-athlete. She earned numerous honors, including being named a Presidential Scholar, receiving Academic All-Conference recognition, and graduating Magna Cum Laude with a GPA above 3.8.
Since her soccer days, Stacie has built a career rooted in higher education and community service. She began as an Admissions Counselor and later Assistant Director of Admissions at Humboldt State University. After nine years, she relocated to Tahoe City, where she took on roles as Executive Director of the Tahoe City Downtown Association, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Sierra Nevada University, and worked in Community Relations for the Tahoe City Public Utility District. With the onset of COVID and the arrival of a new baby, she and her family chose to return to Humboldt. In 2021, she rejoined the university as a Development Director at Cal Poly Humboldt, focusing on major gift fundraising for both Lumberjack Athletics and the broader university. Outside of work, Stacie loves spending time with her partner Gardner and their 6-year-old son Aspen, coaching youth soccer, running competitive races on the North Coast, traveling, enjoying the outdoors, and catching live music. Her energy, laughter, and smile are constants—because, as she puts it, "Life is GOOD."
