Former Southwest soccer standout Denver Bankston has returned to his alma matter for his second stint an assistant coach with the Men's Soccer program. He was an assistant coach during the 2017-18 seasons. During the latter of those two seasons, he helped lead the Bears to the MACJC Championship match and a 13-4-1 overall record.
A Denham Springs, LA-native, Bankston is a graduate of Live Oak High School where he was a four-year letterman for the Eagles. He was also named to the All-District Team in all four of his years and was named District MVP and an All-Metro Honoree for the 2012-13 season. In 2024, he was named to the school's Athletic Hall of Fame.
Bankston was a two-year starter for the Bears from 2013-15. He garnered All-State honors during both seasons. During his sophomore campaign he was selected All-Region and earned a spot on the MACJC South All-Star Team.
Following his playing career in Summit, Bankston moved on to the professional ranks, playing for IFK Amal in Sweden, the Las Vegas FC, International Acapulco FC in Las Vegas and ACS Cerceni in Romania.
Afterward, Bankston enlisted in the United States Army where he served for six years as a Green Beret.
Bankston and his wife Torri are the parents of a son, Nash. Torri is also a former Southwest Soccer Assistant Coach having previously worked with the Lady Bears squad.
