Charlie Bales enters his second season as a graduate assistant coach for Dr. Eric Johnson’s soccer program.
Recently, Bales played at the professional level, following a five-year collegiate career at Western Illinois (2011-15). Among his professional stops include the United Soccer League’s (USL) Charlotte Independence (2015) and the Major Arena Soccer League for the Cedar Rapids Rampage (2015-16).
The Cedar Rapids, Iowa native also played five seasons in the Premiere Development League (PDL) with the Des Moines Menace, in which he won two Heartland Division Titles.
As a coach, Bales most recently spent time with FC United Soccer Club in Cedar Rapids, Iowa from 2015-16.
During his collegiate playing career, Bales started in 72 of 74 games at Western Illinois, recording 11 goals and 10 assists. His accomplishments include being fourth all time in program history for shots and third all time for shots on goal in 2014. Bales was also a member of the 2011 and 2012 Summit League Tournament Championship teams.
He was also an NSCAA First Team All-American Scholar (2014), named Western Illinois’ Male Student Athlete of the Year (2014), selected to the NSCAA All-West Region Team (2014), a two-time Summit League Defensive Player of the Year (2011 & 2014), First Team All-Summit League (2011, 2012 and 2014) and Summit League All-Tournament Team Honors (2011, 2012, 2014), and a two-time Summit League Offensive Player of the Week. In 2011, he was named the Most Valuable Player of the Summit League Tournament.
Bales graduated from Western Illinois University in 2014 with his Bachelor’s degree in Communication, with a minor in Marketing. He is currently pursuing his Masters in Sport Management.
