Meet the new General Manager of Columbus United

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) – After a historic first season for Columbus United, the soccer team has just made a historic hire. Eleni Hitchcock will be the club’s first General Manager ahead of the 2025 season.

Hitchcock is a graduate of Texas Tech University and most recently worked with the Lubbock Matadors with gameday operations and coordinating community events. She now joins the small group of the youngest General Managers in US soccer history.

Hitchcock’s father, Michael, and John Dale “JD” Hester launched the club in August 2023. Columbus United went on to become the 2024 Gulf Coast Sunshine Conference Champions and 2024 South Region Champs. The team made it all the way to the NPSL National Championship, but fell short to FC Motown.

Sports Leader 9′s Mackenzie Collins spoke to Hitchcock on her plans and ideas for the new season, her relationship with her dad, and the latest on when fans can expect schedule announcements.

Click on the video player above for the full interview.