NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Trevecca Nazarene University athletic director Mark Elliott selects Kelsey Fenix, a former University of Kentucky soccer player and former associate head coach at Lipscomb University, as the fifth women’s soccer coach in the history of the Trojan program.
Mark Elliott didn’t need to look far for his next coach. Just like when he hired Mark Foster, the next hire was obvious very early, Elliott said, “We literally knew within just a few hours following Mark Foster telling us he was headed to South Alabama, that we likely would be going with Kelsey Fenix. In fact, Mark Foster immediately agreed Kelsey would be the person who could continue building the program.”
“Kelsey has the right mix of spiritual foundation, playing experience, coaching knowledge and experience, relationship building skills, recruiting contacts, and great team vision ideas.”
Elliott concluded, “Our goal was to find someone who would appreciate the program Foster, coaches, and players had built and then, take the program to new heights. I truly believe we have selected the right person to step in and have another wonderful season next year and beyond.”
Fenix takes leadership of the program from Mark Foster, who collected the second-most wins by a coach in program history. Foster announced his resignation last week and will serve as an assistant at the University of South Alabama, a NCAA Division 1 program.
Fenix is grateful for her first collegiate head coaching opportunity, “I am excited and honored for this opportunity to join the Trevecca Community. First, I would like to thank Mark Elliott and the rest of the search committee for trusting me with continuing to build the women’s soccer program.”
Fenix is already familiar with what it means to coach at Trevecca, “I whole-heartedly align with the mission and vision of the University and the Athletic Department. Trevecca is a place where, I believe, student athletes can truly thrive. It is a community of people that supports every student-athlete toward growing in all areas of life: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. This women’s program is already successful and built on a solid foundation. I look forward to continuing the excellence on the field, while building a unique community and team culture.”
While coaching with Kevin O’Brien at Lipscomb University, Fenix assisted the Bisonss to historic results.
The 2013 team reached the ASUN Conference Tournament for the first time. The team has reached the tournament in each of the last four years now, making the ASUN Finals in each of the last two years while collecting a total of 24 wins in that span.
In 2015 the Bisons recorded a program best 12 wins (12-4-4) and their first appearance in an ASUN Final while going 6-1 in ASUN contests. The 2016 nearly mirrored those results with a 12-5-2 record, 5-1-1 in ASUN play, and a second consecutive trip to the ASUN Finals.