JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State head coach Sean Fraser has added Felipe Venegas to his soccer staff as a graduate assistant, announced by Fraser on Friday.

Venegas, a native of Santiago, Chile, comes to Jacksonville after completing his undergraduate degree in business administration from York University in Nebraska. While at the Midwest school, Venegas served as an enrollment counselor that collaborated with the athletic department for the YU Panthers. He organized campus tours and provided academic information to prospective students. He was also a valuable asset to the university administration by serving as an intern in president's office at York.

On the pitch, he played for the Panthers of YU in the midfield and at his stops at Riverland Community College and the University of South Carolina at Salkehatchie.

Prior to his time in Nebraska, he attended RCC in Austin, Minnesota and at the USCSU. While in Nebraska, he got involved in youth soccer club organizations as a head coach through summer internships. Venegas served as a coach for the Minnesota Rush Soccer Club. He led two teams and worked with three (U4/U9/U13 men's) and claimed the Tonka Cup in Minneapolis with the U13 team. His experience on the soccer sidelines led him to serve as a volunteer with the York soccer programs.

"I am truly thankful and excited for the incredible opportunity to join the Jax State women's soccer program under Sean Fraser's leadership," Venegas said. "Connecting with Sean and Kim McPhearson and supporting their program goals inspires me with true joy. I strongly look forward to making a difference on the field and in the Jacksonville community."

Venegas started playing soccer at an early age in Chilie. He played for Club Deportivo Santiago Morning, selected as one of 25 players from 500 open tryouts. He played central back and right back on the pitch. His professional soccer journey included competing in the U15, U16, U17, and U18 categories, with the opportunity to participate in qualifiers for the "Copa Chile."

"I'd like to thank the Jax State community for welcoming me since I arrived on campus. I would like to acknowledge Tyler Martin's exceptional performance as a student assistant and welcome Nicole Burke as the new assistant coach," added Venegas.

While at York, Venegas was recognized at the state capitol by the 25th Commissioner's Recognition for Student Excellence in Nebraska Career & Technical Education. Additionally, for the Fourth Annual Commissioner's Recognition for Student Excellence in Nebraska Career & Technical Education.