COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – On Friday, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC announced University of Colorado Colorado Springs Associate Head Women's Soccer Coach Alex Schultz as the team's new Director of Sports Performance. Schultz will remain in his role with UCCS Women's Soccer as he begins his new position with the Switchbacks.

"This is an exciting opportunity for Alex and a credit to his abilities as a coach," stated Executive Director of UCCS Athletics Nathan Gibson. "I am also proud to continue to strengthen the partnership with the Switchbacks and UCCS. This is an exciting time for the Switchbacks organization, as well as for UCCS women's soccer."

"I have watched and mentored this outstanding young coach for five years of his pathway," said Head UCCS Women's Soccer Coach J. B. Belzer. "This step with Sports Performance for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC is a natural progression reflective of the tremendous aptitude and relentless work Alex has committed to in his own development. The sky is the limit for Alex Schultz in his passion for the game of soccer and athlete elite performance."

As the Director of Sports Performance for the Switchbacks, Schultz will be working directly with players and coaches while also working behind the scenes with GPS monitoring data analysis and more. In addition to the oversight of day-to-day training on and off the field, Schultz will assist with work in the weight room, develop training/game day activation and warmups, and assist the coaching staff in soccer session planning to ultimately optimize the health and performance of the players.

"First and foremost, I want to thank Coach (Brendan) Burke, Brian Crookham, the Ragain Family, and Dean Weidner for giving me this amazing opportunity," said Schultz. "From my first phone call with Brendan, I could see his vision and plan for the team and knew it was something I wanted to be a part of. With the addition of the new downtown stadium, there is a lot of energy and excitement around the club and I am just happy to help contribute!

"Joining the Switchbacks technical staff is an incredible opportunity, and it wouldn't be possible without the support of J. B. Belzer and Nathan Gibson. They have always empowered their staff members to grow professionally, and this will be an ideal environment to learn. I am blessed to be able to retain my position at UCCS and help achieve our goals on becoming champions on and off the field."