Raleigh, NC – Director of Athletics Kelly Johnson has named Kelly McEleney head soccer coach at Peace College. A resident of Raleigh, NC, McEleney brings enthusiasm to a young program thirsting for thier first USA South Conference Championship.

McEleney comes to Peace after a very successful collegiate career at NCAA Division II Barton College. At Barton, McEleney was a two-year starter who played center half and stopper and led the Lady Bulldogs to the 2001 Carolina Virginia’s Athletic Conference Championship. McEleney also served as the soccer representative for the Student Athlete Awareness Committee.

“I am excited to be a part of such a young program and I look forward to building a reputation for Peace Soccer in the USA South and beyond” McEleney stated about her new position. “I am ready to meet the current players and begin recruiting a new crop of talent to take the necessary steps to make Peace soccer a winner on the field."

McEleney received her B.S. degree in Psychology and a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice/Criminology in 2005 from Barton College. McEleny is currently working toward her M.A. in Clinical Psychology at North Carolina Central University.

Prior to being named head coach at Peace, McEleney served as the head coach for the U-12 girls’ team with the Wilson Youth Soccer Association for two seasons. She also helped out with the high school team at Community Christian School in Wilson and Magellan Charter School in Raleigh. McEleney has worked numerous soccer camps with the Wilson Family YMCA and Barton College.

Peace College competes in NCAA Division III basketball, cross-country, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. Peace is a member of the USA South Athletic Conference and began active status in the fall of 2003. Peace is the first women’s college in North Carolina to join a co-educational athletic conference. For more information on Peace’s athletic program, visit the Peace College Athletics Web site at www.gopeacepacers.org. For more information on the USA South Athletic Conference, visit their Web site at www.usasouth.net.

For more information about the educational opportunities available at Peace College, visit the Peace Web site – www.peace.edu.