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 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 Club Technical Leader II License, US Soccer Director License, US Soccer Coach Educator License, USC Premier Diploma, and USC Director of Coaching Diploma. Smith currently serves as a Coach Educator for US Soccer. In 2020 and 2025, Smith was awarded Indiana Soccer’s Club Director of the Year and was named a finalist for the same award in 2022.
MORGAN PARKHURST
CLUB ADMINSTRATOR
Email: morgan@columbusexpress.com
A former Columbus Express player and coach, Morgan Parkhurst returned to CESC at Club Administrator in 2025. Parkhurst is a graduate from University of Indianapolis. Her coaching experience includes stops at Columbus Express and FC Pride. Parkhurst holds a US Soccer C License.
SAM LAVELLE
JUNIORS DIRECTOR
Email: sam@columbusexpress.com
A Columbus native and former Express player, LaVelle serves as our Juniors Director. 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.
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.
DANE WHITLEY
BOYS PRE-ACADEMY DIRECTOR
Email: dane@columbusexpress.com
Whitley, a staple in the Columbus soccer community, will assume the role at Boys Pre-Academy Director. As a long-time coach of CESC, Dane will step into leading our 4v4 boys program.
Whitley was a standout player at Columbus North HS, earning State Player of the Year honors. Whitley then took his talents to the University of Notre Dame where he was a letterwinner for the Irish.
COACHING STAFF
Boys Staff
Pre-Academy Coaches
Dane Whitley
Nick Eddy
Logan Cline
Nathan Davis
Academy Coaches
Kelsie Mason
Miguel Saldivar
Adam Pieper
David Ryshavy
Colvin Iorio
Junior Coaches
Sam LaVelle
Eric Stiles
Ty Smith
Jon Michael Bright
Brad Barber
Adrian Charles
Ricardo Damon
Senior Coaches
Ty Smith
Kevin Nolan
Eric Stiles
Rodrigo Albeyaros
Dan Priscu
Girls Staff
Pre-Academy Coaches
Rachel Hutchinson
Josh Joliff
Carol Leiting
Academy Coaches
Rachel Hutchinson
Josh Joliff
Carol Leiting
Junior Coaches
Dylan Andrew
Morgan Parkhurst
David Young
Ike DeClue
Janet Hertz
Senior Coaches
Joash Romain
Maddie Wirtley
Functional Staff
Goalkeeping Staff
Jose Acosta
Colvin Iorio
Addie Marshall
Speed Staff
Nathan Frasier
Functional Staff
Sam LaVelle
Rodrigo Albeyaros
Morgan Parkhurst
Adrian Charles
