ETSU’s Yelton Named Director of Soccer at Bristol Sportsplex
Photo of Matt Yelton, Bristol Sportsplex Director of Soccer
BRISTOL, TN (Tuesday, July 11, 2023) – The Bristol Sportsplex continues to add firepower to its youth coaching staff as Matt Yelton has been named Director of Soccer.
Currently, Yelton is an assistant coach at East Tennessee State University, helping his brother, Jay, guide the women’s soccer program. In 1997, he started the women’s program at King University, where he played and coached with Bristol Sportsplex owner Matt Lavinder. Under Yelton’s guidance, King fashioned a 54-40-5 record over four years.
“It is very difficult to find a high-level coach with experience as an executive at the highest level of youth soccer; Matt is such a person, and he has deep roots in East Tennessee,” said Lavinder. “Matt shares our passion and vision for player development and is enthusiastic about what we can build in Bristol.
“We’re dedicated to providing our kids with the best programs and top-notching coaching, which is where Matt comes in. We’re so very happy that he will be taking over the leadership of the soccer program and look forward to seeing it flourish under his guidance.”
Like Lavinder, Yelton is thrilled about this partnership and is eager to get to work.
"I am excited about starting to work at the Sportsplex and believe that Matt and Hollie (Lavinder) have a unique vision for what can be created around sport and what it can mean to a community like Bristol,” he said. “The opportunity to be a part of an environment that is all about building relationships through sport is something that I wanted to be a part of as soon as I met with the Lavinders.
"I believe that great things can be achieved within the soccer program at the Sportsplex. We desire to create players and teams that understand the game well, are technically sound, and play hard for each other. Ultimately, our overarching goal is to create players and families that come to love the sport of soccer and become lifelong followers of the game.”
After leaving King, Yelton spent 13 years at Lee University, making history as he became the school’s winningest coach in any sport. During his time with the Lady Flames, Yelton directed the program to a 245-42-2 record while winning 11 conference championships and claiming four NAIA National Championships before Lee transitioned to a Division II school.
Winning the 2014 National Christian College Athletic Association Championship, Yelton compiled a remarkable 89-0-1 mark while in the Southern States Athletic Conference as an NAIA member. In the two years at the Division II level, he helped lead the team to an 18-2 record in the Gulf South Conference.
After his tremendously successful stint at Lee, Yelton transitioned to lead the largest youth clubs in Chattanooga, where he gained experience at every level of youth soccer as both a coach and director. Before joining ETSU in 2020, Yelton served as the Director of Coaching for Red Wolves, one of the most successful clubs in Tennessee. ■
