LEXINGTON, Va. -- Henry Ellis has worked with head men's soccer coach Ben Freakley in various summer camps in recent years, and now joins Freakley's staff as the assistant coach for the VMI men's soccer team.

"Henry Ellis is a great addition to our program in so many ways," said head coach Ben Freakley. "A Citadel education, professional playing experience and extensive goalkeeping knowledge compliment the VMI men's soccer program and will make us stronger."

Ellis comes to the Institute after serving a two-year stint at Tennessee Tech, a division one program where he served as the assistant coach for the Golden Eagle women's soccer program. At TTU, Ellis used his goalkeeping experience in collegiate and professional soccer to teach the young keepers the skills of the position. Ellis was also integral in bringing in a New Zealand national team defender, who was recently nominated for the Women's Player of the Year award in her native country.

While at Tech, Ellis was also an instructor for the Golden Eagle Soccer Camp, a weeklong summer camp for girls and boys and taught young goalkeepers in the nearby communities through clinics held on Tech's campus.

Prior to his position at TTU, Ellis worked at the College of Charleston as an assistant coach and goalkeeper coach for the Cougars in 2003. His efforts were highly recognized as well, as he helped lead the team to a school-best third place finish in the Southern Conference. Furthermore, the team's goalkeepers posted a season record for shutouts in a season with ten.

Henry was also an assistant coach at Division III Albright College in Reading, Penn., and served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, The Citadel, from 1999-2001. He was an instructor for the Citadel Soccer Academy in Charleston, S.C., helped organized training session and coaching plans for the Elite Goalkeeper Academy, and oversaw the operations of the Micro Soccer Academy.

"Henry is dedicated, hard working and a true soccer professional," added Freakley. "Working with him is something that I am looking forward to because of his different and extensive background at many levels in the game."

And while Ellis brings to VMI an extensive coaching career, his experience as a player at the collegiate and professional level is equally impressive.

Ellis played for four years at The Citadel, where he was team captain for his senior season. In 1999, he graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology.

At the professional level, Ellis has served stints with D.C. United of Major League Soccer (MLS), followed by a tour with the Charleston Battery of the USL A-League from 1999 to 2001. While with the Battery, Ellis had the opportunity to play along side Eric Wynalda, who holds the current scoring record with 34 goals for the U.S. National Team and is enshrined in the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Other professional highlights include battling the Glasgow Rangers Football Club of the Premier Division, and going toe-to-toe with Hristo Stoitchkov, arguably the most prolific Bulgarian soccer player of all time. Ellis was also a member of the Reading Rage of the USL D3 League in 2002, and of the 2003 USL Pro Select League national championship Wilmington Hammerhead team.

"Bringing Henry here to VMI made sense to me," said Freakley. "I know he will share my passion and vision for this program."

Ellis was born in Myrtle Beach, S.C. He and his fiancŽ, Leah, are getting married this summer.