Meet Our Board
Nate is father to three sons and two daughters who keep him very busy and active. He has been a pillar in the BYFA program since its inception in 2012. With extensive football knowledge and experience including his designation as a two time NAIA All-American lineman for Cumberland University, Nate infuses passion and excitement for the sport into the league along with his reinforcement of hard work and dedication. He values physical fitness as an important part of life and stays active as a professional in mixed martial arts. Nate thoroughly enjoys mentoring youth and giving back to the community.
Brandon, affectionately referred to as “Coach BJ” by the athletes of BYFA, is serving his second year as Vice President of the board and third year coaching in the league. Brandon is a proud husband and father to four amazing children. The Wathen family has been involved with BYFA since 2014 when they moved to Tennessee from Florida. Brandon and his three sons are serious football enthusiasts who have a true love for the game of football. He is a servant leader at heart and takes great pride in developing the BYFA program and athletes.
Brent comes to the board with more than 10 years of accounting and finance experience making him an integral part of the BYFA program as treasurer. He has also previously served as a coach for BYFA. Brent is married to Lindy and has three beautiful children: Landon, Boston, and Landrie. Brent is very engaged in the Blackman community and his church, New Vision Baptist Church, where he currently leads worship for elementary-aged students. In his spare time, he enjoys being around his family, sports, and anything to do with music.
Kaleigh is a Murfreesboro local and grew up just a few miles away from the Blackman area. Kaleigh is a MTSU grad and will be attending graduate school in the fall of 2018 for Speech-Language Pathology. Kaleigh cheered during high school and also cheered competitively for over nine years. She is happily married to her best friend Robert and will be celebrating their first anniversary together in August of 2017. Kaleigh loves to spend time outdoors with her husband and Siberian Husky, AJ. Kaleigh will be serving her second year with BYFA and first year serving as cheer director. She is so proud to be serving her community once again and looks forward to leading the Blackman Cheerleading League.
Scott is serving his second year on the BYFA Board of Directors. He began coaching in 2010 and will be coaching his seventh consecutive football season. He is married with four children including a daughter currently on the Blackman High School Marching Band and a son who is on the Blackman Middle School football team. Scott has been with Blackman since the league started in 2012. Though he no longer has a child in the program, he continues to volunteer and enjoys teaching fundamentals of the game and teaching life through football. Some of his fondest memories are when former players see him at a high school or middle school game and walk up to say, “Hey Coach.” Just knowing he’s made an impression in a young person’s life is enough to bring him back each year.
Greg has been affiliated with BYFA for five years as a head coach and board member for the past four years. He has also held coaching positions in youth basketball for 14 years. Greg attended Eastern Kentucky University and moved to the middle Tennessee area in 1995. He now lives in Murfreesboro with his wife and their two sons who play for BYFA. Greg is a 13-year firefighter and AEMT with the Nashville Fire Department who believes that competition, structured practices, and hard work help develop our youth both socially and academically. He also believes that being part of an organized and well-disciplined team will help mold our youth for middle, high school and years beyond.
Jonathan has been a youth sports coach for seven years and is entering his fifth year as a coach with BYFA. He has served in multiple capacities on the BYFA board over the years. When not coaching, Jonathan enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife and four children. He is a graduate of Leadership Rutherford and has served on multiple nonprofit boards including the Rutherford County YMCA, American Red Cross of Rutherford County, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes of Southern Middle Tennessee.
Sean has coached youth football for the past 25 years in Louisiana, Florida, and Middle Tennessee. He has coached for the Murfreesboro Blue Raiders (Mid State), Murfreesboro Mustangs (TYFA), and most recently with the Blackman Blaze for the past four years. Sean believes that focusing on fundamentals and discipline with a genuine care for players and families is what develops strong players along with lifelong relationships. Coach Sean is the father of three sons, all of which have played or are currently playing football.
Ryan has extensive coaching experience in football, baseball, and basketball for the last 15 years. Ryan, an athlete himself, played college basketball and football at Austin Peay State University. He brings high energy and enthusiasm to the field. Ryan challenges athletes to work hard and improve with fast paced practices that accentuate individual skill development and team play. He and his family have lived in the Blackman community for 6 years, where he works at a local barbershop, NexGen. Ryan enjoys giving back to the community where he raises his family by being active in BYFA.
George has been married to his wife, Marisa, for 11 years and is a proud father to his two sons, Mason and Cameron. Their family moved to the Blackman community 11 years ago from California. The great schools, close knit community, and football program have proven to be valued benefits for their family which have made Murfreesboro home. George is a professional automotive technician and small business owner who gives back to the community through the Make a Wish and Toys for Tots organizations. In his spare time, George enjoys coaching football, restoring classic cars, and riding antique dirt bikes.
Marisa is wife to George Russell and loving mother to Mason and Cameron. She is a savvy business woman who works with her husband in running their local business. Marisa is a talented artist, dog lover, and avid equestrian. The Russell family is very active with BYFA and look forward to another exciting year with the best football program in Murfreesboro.
Bill and his wife Carrie have four very energetic boys. Between football and soccer, their family is always on the go and staying active. Bill is also a local business owner and serves some of the best BBQ in Middle Tennessee at Stone’s BBQ Pit. With his extensive experience in the food service industry, he serves as a major asset to the league’s concession operations. When not running to practice or serving up delicious eats, Bill spends his down time with his friends and family just taking it easy and enjoying life.
Steven has been actively involved in the game since his teenage years when he played football for his high school. He is a devoted husband and father of three children. The Ivey family has been involved with BYFA since 2014 when his son started playing for the league and his daughter started cheering. Steven is returning for his second year of coaching in the A division and looks forward to another exciting year with the best athletes in Middle Tennessee. He will also be leading the organization in marketing efforts throughout the year.
Travis, his wife, and three children live, attend school, and work in the Blackman community. He has been involved in BYFA for the past three years as a parent and corporate sponsor. Travis has been involved in sports his whole life in some capacity from playing to watching as a fan and over the last several years as a parent. While Travis is a dedicated Volunteer football fan, his favorite football player is his BYFA athlete and son, Trey. Travis’ goal is to ensure that the Blackman youth have the best available coaches, equipment, facilities and learning experience possible all while having fun competing and developing a love for the sport.