Averett University

Averett University Athletics
420 W. Main Street Danville, VA 24540

Division 3 Virginia Northeast

Private Small Developing team

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Coaches

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Colton Dutchess

Colton Dutchess ’21/’24 was named the Averett University women’s soccer head coach in June 2024.

Dutchess, who previously had been a member of the Averett soccer community as a player and coach for seven years, became the 13th coach of the Averett women's soccer program since it began play in 1993. He takes over a program that has a history of success, including a USA South Athletic Conference Championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2012, along with two USA South Player of the Year selections and one Academic All-America recipient. The Cougars are entering their third year in the highly competitive ODAC in the upcoming 2024 season after going 6-10-2 (3-7 conference) and producing one all-conference selection in 2023.

Following his playing career at Averett, Dutchess returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach for the men’s program in July 2022 after serving as a volunteer assistant coach with the program during the 2021 season. While assisting with the men’s program, Dutchess also began serving as an assistant coach with the Averett women's soccer program.

Dutchess was a four-year member of the Averett program as a goalkeeper from 2017-21. The native of Sanford, North Carolina, played 35 games in goal for the Cougars, making 170 saves while allowing just 1.89 goals per game in more than 2,900 minutes. He was named Averett's 2020-21 Dr. Tommy Foster Male Student-Athlete of the Year and also earned USA South Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors once. He also received the service award twice from Averett's Sports Information Department.

Dutchess played internationally in Croatia and Sweden in spring 2022.

Dutchess earned his bachelor's degree from Averett in May 2021 and completed his master's degree in business administration from Averett in May 2024. He and his fiancée, Jenny — an Averett women’s soccer alumna — reside in Danville.

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Brady Schlesman

Brady Schlesman joined the Averett University women's soccer program as an assistant coach in July 2023.

Schlesman came to Averett after serving as an analytics assistant for the women's soccer program at Division I Virginia Tech during the 2022 season. He is currently completing his U.S. Soccer D license.

A native of Richmond, Virginia, Schlesman graduated from Virginia Tech in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Science degree in communications (sports media and analytics). While at Virginia Tech, Schlesman also worked as a statistician and social media representative for the Hokies' sports information office.

Schlesman played for the Richmond Kickers elite team from 2014-19 and was the captain of his high school team and earned first team honors as a senior.

Schlesman is pursuing his master of business administration with a concentration in data analytics from Averett.