VSI Tampa Bay News Release -- www.vsi-fc.com
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – VSI Tampa Bay FC is pleased to announce the signing of Troy Cole, pending USSF approval, for the club's inaugural season in USL PRO. Cole brings a solid presence to the VSI Tampa Bay FC back line for the upcoming season, having played more than 45 games in the past two seasons in USL PRO.
Cole's knowledge and experience will add strength to the team during its breakout season in the USL PRO. Cole is joining VSI Tampa Bay FC after a successful season with the Wilmington Hammerheads, which included a trip to the USL PRO Championship Game.
The Hammerheads lost in the USL PRO Championship Game to the Charleston Battery last season and this 2013 USL PRO season will find former defenders from both teams uniting under the VSI Tampa Bay FC umbrella. Cole will join former Battery defender Kyle Hoffer, with the duo previously having been teammates under Tampa Bay coach Matt Weston in 2010 with F.C. New York.
"Troy's a real locker room guy," Weston said. "He is a guy who understands and motivates the players and gets things going. Troy Cole is a tremendous, tremendous guy who really lives his life the right way and is a true professional."
Cole's enthusiastic nature is already being felt by his younger teammates and is helping to form the family atmosphere Weston is building at VSI Tampa Bay FC.
"It's great to see the group coming together with guys like Troy Cole making their mark as leaders right away," Director of Soccer Clay Roberts said. "Troy brings a large amount of athleticism to an already young and vibrant group of players. Troy Cole was one of the first players Coach Weston desired for the squad early on. It's great to add another seasoned player to the roster, especially a player like Troy, who is coming off last seasons trip to the USL PRO finals."
Before his time with VSI Tampa Bay FC and the Wilmington Hammerheads and FC New York, Cole was with AC St. Louis in the USSF D-2 Pro League. Cole also spent time with the Atlanta Blackhawks in the PDL, and earned a Bachelor's Degree of Science in Athletic Training from Mars Hill College.