Chris Belle has been hired to serve as Dobyns-Bennett’s director of lacrosse and coach the boys team, the school announced on Friday.
The 2024-25 school year will mark the start of a new athletic program at D-B as lacrosse was recently sanctioned as a TSSAA sport.
“We are very pleased to officially see lacrosse evolve into a sanctioned sport at Dobyns-Bennett,” said Kingsport City Schools superintendent Dr. Chris Hampton. “We look forward to seeing the sport grow both at D-B and across the state. We want to thank the parents and leaders who supported Tribe Lacrosse from its infancy so that this day could become a reality.”
Dr. Brian Tate, Principal at Dobyns-Bennett, added his thoughts on the hiring of Coach Belle: “Coach Belle's appointment to spearhead the Dobyns-Bennett Lacrosse program is an exciting beginning to the sanctioning of the sport and the beginning of the lacrosse teams at Dobyns-Bennett. His proven track record of success with club teams renders him an excellent choice to oversee our program.”
Boasting eight years of coaching experience, Belle brings a wealth of knowledge and a track record of success to Dobyns-Bennett. For the past five years, he has served as the coach for the local club team “Tribe Lacrosse,” leading the team to remarkable achievements.
Under his guidance, the team has qualified for the state playoffs in each of the last three seasons, showcasing an exceptional level of skill and determination. Notably, all five members of this year’s senior class have committed to play college lacrosse, a testament to his ability to develop talent and prepare student-athletes for the next level.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the sport, Belle was honored as the TSLA Division 1 Class AA Head Coach of the Year in 2022, highlighting his dedication and excellence in lacrosse coaching. He and his wife, Christy, have one son, Brodey, who is a senior at Dobyns-Bennett and just recently committed to play lacrosse at Coker University in Hartsville, SC.
"I am incredibly excited for the opportunity to continue to grow the sport of lacrosse in our region, " said Coach Belle. “My goal is to help young players reach their full potential and play the game they love. Roll Tribe!”
Dobyns-Bennett Athletic Director Frankie DeBusk shared the following: “ We are very excited to add lacrosse to our athletic offerings at Dobyns-Bennett for the upcoming school year. It is an exciting time of growth at D-B and we are fortunate to have Coach Belle in this leadership role to ensure our lacrosse programs start in the right direction.”
Lacrosse will be a spring sport beginning next school year. Any D-B student interested in playing should stay tuned to the D-B Athletics website and social media for more information regarding tryouts.
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