Sam LaVelle, left, coach of the Columbus Express 08 Boys Orange team, sets up soccer balls for a possession and passing drill during practice June 30, 2022, at the Richard Wigh Soccer Complex in preparation for the US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup.
The Republic file photo
Sam LaVelle has established himself as a coach in the Columbus Express Soccer Club, and now, he’s getting a chance to lead a high school team.
LaVelle was announced Thursday as the new boys soccer coach at Columbus East. He succeeds Josh Gonsior, who resigned last week.
A former player at Columbus North and Manchester and assistant coach at North, LaVelle is the Juniors director for the Colubmus Express, overseeing all U11-through-U14 teams, coaches and players. He led the 2008 Express Boys Orange team to the 2022 Indiana Presidents Cup and Midwest Regional titles to become the first Express team to qualify for the US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup National Championships.
LaVelle also helped start the Columbus Futsal League. His coaching credentials include a US Soccer Grassroots License, United Soccer Coaches Association 11v11/ Pre-National Diploma, United Soccer Coaches Association Goalkeeping Level 1 Diploma and a US Soccer D License, in addition to his USSF C License, which qualifies him to coach at the college and semi-pro level.
“My greatest strength as a coach is my ability to connect with my players,” LaVelle said in a news release. “Building those relationships allows you to have a positive impact on the kids that you coach. Our goal is to make our players better people through our coaching. I believe that I have positively impacted many of the athletes I have coached throughout my career.”
