STAFF
At Columbus Express, we strive to provide the youth of Indiana with the highest quality soccer development in the region. Through our staff of licensed coaches and our detailed curriculum and methodology, Columbus Express staff is dedicated to improving the athletic, social, and life experience for all of our athletes, teams, coaches, and families.
Directors & administrators
TY SMITH
DIRECTOR OF COACHING
Email: ty@columbusexpress.com
Smith arrived at Columbus Express as the Director of Coaching in 2017. He is responsible for the club’s overall direction, coaching, programming, and soccer methodology. Since his arrival, Express has seen increased player numbers, new programming and player development initiatives, and successes at the state, regional, and national levels.
The North Vernon native played collegiately at Thomas More College and Hanover College. Smith’s coaching career started at his alma mater Hanover College before joining Miami University as Director of Operations in 2010 where the team earned a MAC East Championship. In 2011, Smith started coaching at Xavier University before moving to the University of Dayton in 2014. At Dayton, the Flyers won an A10 Conference Championship and earned an NCAA Tournament berth.
In addition to his college coaching experience, Smith was instrumental in developing future US Youth National team and professional players at Kings Hammer Academy from 2011-2017.
Smith earned a BA in Education from Hanover College in 2010 and a Master’s in Coaching from Ball State University in 2012. Smith holds a US Soccer A License, US Soccer Director License, US Soccer Coach Educator License, United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma, and United Soccer Coaches Director of Coaching Diploma. In 2020, Smith was awarded Indiana Soccer’s Club Director of the Year and was named a finalist for the same award in 2022.
JENNY CARLSON
CLUB ADMINSTRATOR
Email: jenny@columbusexpress.com
Having worked with Columbus Express since 2007, Carlson has been instrumental in the club’s success on and off-field. She helped coordinate Indiana State Cup and Indiana Presidents Cup at Richard Wigh Soccer Complex. For her efforts, Columbus Express earned Tournament of the Year in 2017. Carlson’s duties within Columbus Express include player registration, financial assistance efforts, tryout coordination, and everyday operations. Carlson has earned state-wide recognition for her efforts winning Indiana Soccer Administrator of the Year in 2022 after being a finalist for the award in 2020.
DYLAN ANDREW
JUNIORS DIRECTOR / ASSISTANT DOC
Email: dylan@columbusexpress.com
A staple in the development of Columbus Express players, Dylan Andrew oversees the Juniors program (U11-14s). Andrew is a graduate of Wabash College, where he was one of the nation’s leading set-up men ranking in the top 10 in NCAA for Assists. Andrew also starred at Columbus North as an All-State Player.
A native of Columbs, Andrew currently holds a USSF D License and USC Director of Coaching Diploma.
SAM LAVELLE
OPERATIONS COORIDNATOR
Email: sam@columbusexpress.com
A Columbus native and former Express player, LaVelle serves as our Operations Coordinator. He is responsible for the oversight of all U11-14 teams, coaches, and players. LaVelle is active within our juniors program as a coach and trainer.
The summer of 2022 saw LaVelle’s 2008 Boys Orange team win Indiana’s Presidents Cup and US Youth Soccer’s Presidents Cup Midwest Regionals earning a trip as one of the final four championship teams at US Youth Soccer’s Presidents Cup National Championships. LaVelle and the 2008 Boys are the first Express team to advance to a USYS National Championship.
LaVelle, a Columbus North graduate, played collegiately at Manchester University before earning a BS in Business Management from IUPUC. He holds a USSF C License and a TOVO Level I certification. LaVelle serves as the Columbus East High School Boy’s Soccer Coach.
JOSE ACOSTA
GOALKEEPING DIRECTOR
A former Honduran National Team Goalkeeper, Jose Acosta was named the CESC Goalkeeping Director.
Acosta oversees the Goalkeeping methodology and is heavily involved in the training of all CESC Goalkeepers.
KELSIE MASON
BOYS ACADEMY DIRECTOR
Email: kelsie@columbusexpress.com
After completing her playing career at NCAA Division I’s IPFW, Mason has been active in coaching throughout the Indiana-Ohio region.
As a player, Mason was instrumental in Columbus North’s first Indiana State Championship berth and was a member of the resurgence of the Columbus Express girls teams. Coach Mason was highly successful in her coaching debut while working with teams at TFA in Cincinnati.
RACHEL HUTCHINSON
GIRLS ACADEMY & PRE-ACADEMY DIRECTOR
Email: rachel@columbusexpress.com
Hutchinson is active within her role as Girls Academy & Pre-Academy Director. She leads our players and coaches at our youngest ages. Hutchinson has been coaching with Express since 2012.
Hutchison, a Seymour native, was a key player at Seymour High School and Columbus Express as a youth. She went on to play collegiately at Franklin College.
Hutchinson earned a BS in Education & English from Franklin College. She also has a USSF D License, USSF Grassroots License, and a TOVO Level I certificate.
EJ YOUNG
BOYS PRE-ACADEMY DIRECTOR
Email: ej@columbusexpress.com
Young was introduced as our Pre-Academy Director in 2021. The Franklin native has been instrumental in the cultivation of the Express 4v4 program.
Young played at Franklin Community High School and Columbus Express before playing collegiately at Bethel University. He has served as a coach in different roles within Columbus Express and as a coach with Columbus North.
Young earned a BA in Finance & Project Management in 2022 from Liberty University. He also has a USSF Grassroots license and a TOVO Level I certificate.
COACHING STAFF
Boys Staff
Pre-Academy Coaches
EJ Young
Sean Swegman
Academy Coaches
Kelsie Mason
Miguel Saldivar
Adam Pieper
David Ryshavy
Junior Coaches
Sam LaVelle
Drew Little
Ty Smith
Rand Khalid
Marc Gotoh
Dane Whitley
Flavio Cruz
Manuel Bannert
Senior Coaches
Ty Smith
Kevin Nolan
Dane Whitley
Flavio Cruz
Dan Priscu
Girls Staff
Pre-Academy Coaches
Rachel Hutchinson
Josh Joliff
Academy Coaches
Rachel Hutchinson
Josh Joliff
Junior Coaches
Ty Smith
David Young
Ike DeClue
Janet Hertz
Senior Coaches
Joash Romain
Maddie Wirtley
Functional Staff
Goalkeeping Staff
Jose Acosta
Zach Roberts
Jacob Kasards
Speed Staff
Nathan Frasier
Kareem Ash
Functional Staff
Sam LaVelle
Kevin Nolan
