INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Washington & Jefferson College men's soccer intern coach Lamine Balde has been selected to participate in the 2021 NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar (ELS).
 
Typically held at the NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis, the 2021 seminar will be executed virtually Feb. 3-5. The ELS is an annual professional development event that provides effective leadership, educational and transitional programing to current graduate assistants and interns from NCAA membership institutions, conference offices and affiliate organizations. The three-day virtual program educates, develops and connects selected participants and equips attending young professionals with the skills necessary to accelerate their career progression in college sports.
 
"Lamine has been a terrific intern coach for our men's soccer program as well as a helping hand for our entire athletic department," said Director of Athletics Scott McGuinness. "He is a driven young man and we are proud of his selection to the NCAA ELS. Coach Balde has a bright future ahead."
 
Balde enters his second season as the top assistant for the W&J men's soccer program. In 2019, the Presidents claimed the 2019 Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) regular season and tournament championships and earned their third NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. The Red and Black boasted the number-one scoring offense in the PAC and established a new single-season scoring record with 53 goals.
 
A native of Guinea, Balde was a two-time All-PAC performer as a player at Bethany College. He went on to serve as a graduate assistant at his alma mater and earned a Master of Arts in teaching in 2016.
 
Following his collegiate career, Balde played with the Pittsburgh HotSpurs for their inaugural season in 2019. Before that, Balde played for three seasons with the Fort Pitt Regiment (2018, 2016, 2015), where he was the leading scorer for the Regiment in both 2015 and 2016. In 2017, Balde competed with Indy Eleven. While there he also trained with the 1st team (USL Pro).  
 
Balde has coached with the Arsenal Football Club of PA (ages 13-16) since August of 2018 and coached training sessions with the Olympic Development of Pittsburgh (ages 12-14) since July of 2016. He has previously worked with FC Pittsburgh Soccer Club (ages 4-16) and Soccer7 Training Program (ages 4-16).