Murfreesboro resident Al Overton has been named Director of Business for Murfreesboro Soccer Club (MSC). The position is MSC's first full time paid administrative position and is part of the long-term strategic business plan developed nearly four years ago.

"We're very pleased that Murfreesboro Soccer Club has grown to the point that we are bringing in a full-time Director of Business to handle the business and administrative functions of our Club," said Bryan Kleparek, MSC President. "We're even more pleased to welcome Al Overton, who has a strong track record of work in sports administration in the mid-state area. We believe Al will be a strong asset to our professional coaching staff and our administrative staff, and we're looking forward to making even more strides forward with Al's leadership and work."

On the coaching side, MSC's Director of Coaching is Ali Arman. Both positions, along with several part-time positions, report to the MSC Board of Directors.

"I am very excited to join MSC," Overton said. "After being involved with soccer and sports for much of my career and life, it will be great to make a contribution to this Club, that has such a strong history of commitment to kids and youth in our community. We want MSC to be the premier club in Tennessee and in Region 3. We have a lot of plans for future growth and I'm looking forward to making a contribution and being a part of what happens next."

Overton will be responsible for all professional administrative functions of the organization, including accounting, purchasing, payroll, administrative employee supervision and development.

Al Overton has worked as a soccer referee since 1994, and has worked in sports management since 2008. Before that time, he worked in the transportation industry for 20 years. As a referee, Overton is a state referee, a state referee emeritus and assessor for the United States Soccer Federation beginning in 1994; a college soccer referee for the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association beginning in 2008; and served as President of the Murfreesboro Soccer Referee Association from 2009 through 2012. As a sports management executive, Overton has worked with the Tennessee Rugby Association as State Director since 2010; he also works with the Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association as a referee, beginning in 2003 and as supervisor/assignor beginning in 2010.

Overton, a Tennessee native, and his wife, Lisa, a fourth grade teacher at Browns Chapel Elementary School, moved to Murfreesboro in 2001. The couple have two grown children: Graham graduated from Oakland High School as a valedictorian in 2005, and Mary Beth graduated from Siegel High School as a valedictorian in 2010. Both are graduates of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and are Certified Public Accountants. Both Graham and Mary Beth played soccer for MSC when they were younger.

About Murfreesboro Soccer Club: The focus of the Murfreesboro Soccer Club (MSC), in existence as a non-profit organization since 1977, is the development of each individual player. MSCs maximize the development of the individual through programming that challenges each player, a coaching staff that adheres to the highest standards. MSC is resolute in dedicating its time and resources to the technical, tactical, physical and psychological aspects of playing soccer.

MSC offers two primary programs: Recreational (ages 4 through 18), focusing on helping players learn the game of soccer in a fun and stimulating environment to be the best soccer players they can be; and Select (ages 8 through 18), focusing on helping players master higher level technical skills and fundamentals with a rigorous fall and spring schedule.

Our beliefs: The pursuit of excellence in the areas of academics and soccer helps develop maturity and self-confidence in young people. The experiences a player has with MSC will be beneficial throughout his or her lifetime.

Our approach and commitment the soccer community: The MSC staff and volunteers work hard to develop each and every player to his or her highest potential. This means that as players grow and learn new skills, they will have different opportunities to practice together, and play in games and tournaments. MSC constantly assesses each player's skill levels and adjusts each player's opportunities in an engaging, supportive, instructive environment.