The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawks men’s and women’s soccer programs have
selected their first head coach this week.
Kevin Tello has been selected to lead Nighthawks men’s and women’s soccer as head
coach for the programs’ inaugural season. A former collegiate soccer player at Ouachita
Baptist University, Tello comes to NPC from the University of Arkansas, where he served
as Director of Soccer Operations. Tello has also served on the soccer staff at Hendrix
College and Vilonia High School, while also serving as assistant coach of the Little
Rock Rangers USL League 2 program.
“Hot Springs is a beautiful city,” Tello said. “When I saw the opportunity to give
kids in the Garland County area the option to continue their soccer career at the
college level, the decision was a no-brainer for me. NPC has been incredible with
the support they’ve given me so far. My wife and I are excited to be a part of the
community and start building the soccer program at NPC.”
Nighthawk men’s and women’s soccer begins this fall and will compete as a National
Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I Region II program with a full
conference schedule for 2021. NPC will continue its partnership with Hot Springs World
Class High School and play a majority of its home games at their recently renovated
all-turf facility, with other games and practices being held at other high school
and city-owned venues across Hot Springs.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Kevin Tello to Nighthawk Nation,” NPC Athletic Director
Jason Hudnell said. “Coach Tello brings soccer experience from the high school, Division
III and Division I collegiate as well as the professional ranks. He possesses the
high-level soccer knowledge as well as the character that we are looking for to lead
our young men and women.”
With recruiting underway for the upcoming inaugural season, NPC is open to walk-ons
and will hold open tryouts for NPC students and high school juniors and seniors later
this spring.
“We’ve hit the ground running on the recruiting trail,” Tello said. “In my first week,
alone, I’ve had 13 applicants for our programs. Our goal is to treat our athletes
like a Division I program and give them as professional of an experience as possible
and I’m excited for the opportunity to provide that.”
Coach Kevin Tello can be reached by e-mail at Kevin.Tello@np.edu.
For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit Nighthawk Athletics online. Fans can also follow the Nighthawks all season on social media.
Facebook: Nighthawk Athletics
Twitter: @NPC_Nighthawks
Instagram: nighthawkathletics
Snapchat: npnighthawks
