November 16, 2022
Zach Welch Named Women's Soccer Head Coach
WILMORE, Ky. – The Asbury University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced today that
Zach Welch has been named head coach for the women's soccer program and will begin his duties December 1.
Welch served as the associate head coach of the AU men's soccer team during the 2022 season, after holding the position of full-time assistant men's soccer coach since 2016. A standout midfielder for the Eagles from 2010-2013, Welch was a four-year starter and a two-time team captain. He helped AU to a conference championship in 2012. He also received the 2013 Gamble Walker Award presented to Asbury's outstanding senior men's student-athlete.
The Daytona Beach, Fla., native graduated from Asbury in 2013 with a bachelor's in Exercise Science and later earned a master's in organizational leadership from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in 2017.
"I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to lead the women's soccer program at Asbury University," Welch said. "First and foremost, I thank God for continually blessing Victoria and me on this journey. We are excited to see what God has in store for AU women's soccer. A special thanks to Mark Whitworth,
Ben Andrews and Erin Ferguson for entrusting me with this opportunity and seeing the potential in me to lead this program."
"We are very thankful for Coach Welch's passion and vision to build our women's soccer program at Asbury," Mark Whitworth, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics & University Communications said. "I've had the privilege of watching him grow as a coach and a leader in our department. He is a tireless worker, a proven recruiter and committed to the development of both the student and the athlete."
Welch has been unwavering in his commitment to developing his craft as a soccer coach for the past nine years. He holds the US Soccer C Coaching License and the United Coaches Association Advanced Regional Diploma. Welch served three seasons as the Girls Soccer Head Coach at East Jessamine High School from 2014-16. He also brings extensive club coaching experience to his new role, having served as the U18 Head Coach for the Central Kentucky (CKY) Soccer Club from 2017-2019. Welch is currently serving as the U17 and U15 Head Coach for the CKY Storm this season.
"The past six seasons as a full-time coach under
Ben Andrews, has shaped me into the person and coach I am today," Welch added. "I am truly grateful to those student-athletes and coaches who were a part of that process. I also want to thank my wife, Victoria, for her unending support and encouragement. We are beyond excited for this next step in our lives to create a successful program on and off the field, and to sustain that for the seasons to come. Go Eagles and I am thankful to continue to be a part of TeamAU."
Welch, who has served as AU's reserve team head coach since 2019, is credited for building a strong developmental program at Asbury and helping form a state-wide league to enhance the competitive experience. In addition to his coaching duties at Asbury, Welch coordinated event management for the Athletics Department from 2018-2020.
About Asbury Athletics:
Asbury University competes as an NCAA Division III provisional member and a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). Asbury sponsors 17 intercollegiate sports, as well as cheerleading, representing more than 340 student-athletes. A total of 196 student-athletes were named to the TeamAU Academic Honor Roll by earning a semester GPA of 3.25 or better in the 2022 spring semester.
Men's sports (8): baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, outdoor track, soccer, swimming and tennis.
Women's sports (9): basketball, cross country, golf, outdoor track, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis and volleyball.
For the latest information on Asbury Athletics visit www.asburyeagles.com, or follow @AsburyEagles on Twitter (#TeamAU), Asbury Eagles on Instagram and Facebook.
