Lane Sluder has been chosen as Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College women's flag football head coach for a program that will take the field in the 2027-28 season.
Sluder will lead recruiting efforts for the program during the 2026-27 academic year.Â
Sluder brings a championship pedigree and extensive leadership experience to the position after completing a decorated four-year playing career with the SMWC sprint football program. A four-year starter at center and multi-year team captain, Sluder helped establish the Pomeroys as one of the premier programs in the Midwest Sprint Football League.
As a senior in 2025, Sluder appeared in five games with three starts during SMWC’s undefeated MSFL championship season. He helped anchor an offense that averaged more than 43 points and 383 yards per game. Sluder also recorded 13 rushing yards, including an eight-yard gain against Bellarmine and a five-yard carry in the MSFL championship victory over Calumet College of St. Joseph.
Following the season, Sluder earned First Team All-MSFL honors, First Team CSFL Hub All-America recognition and the Pomeroy Athletic Leadership Award.
Sluder appeared in three games with two starts as a junior in 2024 and recorded one assisted tackle. During his sophomore season in 2023, he started every game at center, served as a team captain and earned First Team All-MSFL honors.
As a freshman in 2022, Sluder played every offensive snap at center for the Pomeroys. He also delivered a game-changing defensive play in the MSFL championship game, forcing a fumble that helped secure SMWC’s 23-7 victory over Calumet. Sluder served as a team captain and received First Team All-MSFL recognition during his first collegiate season.
In addition to his success on the football field, Sluder won a USA Powerlifting state championship in the Men’s Raw Teen III Division and was a member of the SMWC Powerlifting Club.
A graduate of Sullivan High School, Sluder received the 2021 Adam Saijko Award for his dedication to football and earned All-Sullivan County honors in 2020 and 2021. He also contributed to Sullivan’s first football sectional championship team.
Sluder has experience coaching youth flag football and is a licensed official in Indiana for wrestling, football and basketball. He majored in elementary education at SMWC and worked as a tutor in the college’s Learning Resource Center.
