Ty Smith: Making Soccer More Accessible At The Grassroots Level.
2025 Club Director of Coaching Award Winner
I grew up in North Vernon, Indiana—not exactly known for soccer—but our town had a strong sports culture. I got my start with a small local club called Muscatatuck United. As I got older, I played with Columbus Express, St. Francis, and SIFA, gaining experience and exposure to different levels of the game.
I continued my playing career in college, starting at Thomas More College before transferring to Hanover College. That’s where I wrapped up my time as a player and began my coaching journey. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to coach at Miami University, Xavier University, and the University of Dayton, and I was also heavily involved with Kings Hammer Academy.
In 2017, I returned to Columbus Express as the Director of Coaching—a full-circle moment, as I had previously coached here from 2009 to 2011 before relocating to Cincinnati. Being back with Express, a club that played a major role in my own development, has been incredibly rewarding.
Soccer has been important for our family. My wife and I met while playing at Thomas More College. We have a six-month old daughter and we wouldn’t be upset if she decided to play the game.
What Makes Columbus Express Unique?
Columbus Express has been a part of the community for nearly 50 years. The club was founded by a group of Cummins executives who wanted to create a local soccer opportunity for families in the area. What makes Express special is how we’ve stayed true to our roots.
While many small clubs have been absorbed by mergers or big-name affiliations, we’ve kept our identity—same colors, same community-driven mission. We’ve built something lasting, with generations of families and players growing up in the club.
We’re a small club with big ambition, blending old-school values with a modern, player-focused approach to development. That combination is what continues to set Express apart.
Ty Smith’s Coaching Journey
Winning the 2025 Indiana Soccer Club Director of Coaching Award is a tremendous honor—but more importantly, it feels like a vote of confidence from Indiana Soccer in what we’re building at Columbus Express. It’s recognition of our commitment to doing things the right way.
I’ve always known I wanted to coach. If it wasn’t soccer, it would’ve been basketball. Even in high school, I was drawn to teaching and coaching—it felt natural. Coaching has become my classroom, a place to help shape and mentor young people through sport.
I’ve been fortunate to learn from incredible coaches at both the club and collegiate level, and I’m always learning—from peers, from courses, and from being around the game. I currently hold a US Soccer A-Youth License, Club Technical Leader Level II License, and a Coach Educator License. I’ve also earned the United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma and Director of Coaching Diploma.
What Makes a Great Soccer Coach?
Great coaches are more than just tacticians—they’re teachers, mentors, and role models. How we treat our players, the standards we set, and the values we reinforce—those things last far beyond the field.
To me, the foundation of great coaching is awareness and connection. You need to understand your players not just as athletes, but as people and students. You should be able to communicate complex ideas in simple, meaningful ways—and adapt to meet players and families where they are.
Flexibility is essential—not only tactically but in how we support and communicate with players and parents. At the end of the day, coaching is about relationships.
We also need to bring the fun back. The current youth sports culture puts too much emphasis on results, rankings, and team hierarchies. Kids play for enjoyment, connection, and personal growth. If we center development and enjoyment again, we’ll keep more kids in the game.
Whether you’re a full-time coach or a volunteer, your role is to create a positive, engaging experience for every player. Be prepared. Stay open. Keep it fun. Be the reason a kid wants to come back next season.
A Vision for Youth Soccer Development
I believe in developing people first, students second, and players third. If we help kids grow into good people—with values like discipline, respect, and effort—the soccer side takes care of itself.
We want players to enjoy the game, stay passionate, and be equipped with the tools and experiences to succeed—on and off the field.
At the same time, we need to address the accessibility gap. Youth soccer has become too expensive, and the amount of travel expected at younger ages is unsustainable. We’ve made progress with coaching education and resources, but the structure of youth soccer needs to evolve. We need more localized, affordable options that allow kids to play and develop without the financial strain.
How Parents Can Support Their Child’s Development
Start by taking care of the basics: ensure your child is safe, well-rested, properly nourished, and emotionally supported. Help them grow into a good teammate, student, and person.
If your child loves soccer, lean into that. Watch games together. Kick the ball around in the backyard. Ask them to teach you something about the game. These don’t have to be big gestures—just small, meaningful moments that nurture their passion.
Focus on effort, attitude, and resilience. If a player gives their best, learns from setbacks, and steadily improves, that’s success.
Sideline Etiquette and Respect for Referees
The new U.S. Soccer referee abuse mandates are an important step in protecting officials and improving the game environment. Referees have an incredibly tough job—they’re often young, underpaid, and working in challenging conditions.
We all play a role in creating a better experience: coaches, parents, players, and refs alike. It starts with education and continues with modeling respectful behavior. If we truly value the game, we have to value the people who make it possible.