2016 NSCAA Convention
 
Presenter Bios


 
Club Champions League
 
National Championships Committee
 
National Presidents Cup Committee
 
NWSL Players Panel
 
US Youth Soccer Risk Management Committee
 
US Youth Soccer TOPSoccer Committee
 
Youth Referee Advisory Group/USSF Representatives
 
Greg Abel
Abel Communications
 
Ryan Alexander
Sports Physiologoist
United States Men's National Team
 
Doug Andreasson
Diversity Committee Chair
U.S. Soccer Federation
 
Carlos Anton
UEFA PRO License Coach
Ex-Real Madrid CF, Malaga CF, and Bristol City FC
Despite his young age (twenty-nine), Carlos Anton has thirteen years of coaching experience and holds UEFA PRO license, Sport and Sciences Bachelor and Sport Psychology Master. After spending a few years working for semi-professional clubs, he signed for Real Madrid CF, which he finished, leaving after two years to join the ambitious project of Malaga CF as Head of Coaching and U19 Head Coach. His next challenge was abroad, working for the English Championship club Bristol City FC as U18 Head Coach for the last two years. Throughout his career Carlos has coached more than ten players who achieved the top level, playing for the national teams or even Champions League winners. Currently he is taking advantage to dedicate time to expand knowledge and implement coaching education.
 
Yael Averbuch
Current Midfielder
FC Kansas City
Yael Averbuch, born and raised in New Jersey, is a current professional soccer player for FC Kansas City in NWSL. Yael attended the University of North Carolina, where she won two NCAA National Championships and her #17 jersey was retired following her collegiate career. She has played professionally around the world, including in Russia, Sweden, and Cyprus, and has 26 caps and one goal for the U.S. Women's National Team. Off the field, Yael enjoys writing and speaking about the game, as well as working with youth players.
 
Jene Baclawski
Assistant Director of Coaching
South Texas Youth Soccer Association
 
Ian Barker
Director of Coach Education
NSCAA
Ian Barker has been with the NSCAA as the Director of Coaching Education since 2012. Prior to his current position, he served as men’s soccer coach at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn. He also has collegiate coaching experience at the University of Wisconsin, serving as an assistant coach from 1989-1996. In the eight-year span with the Badgers, Barker joined the squad in four NCAA tournament appearances. In 1995, the Badgers won both the Big Ten and NCAA National Championships.

 From 1997-2007 Coach Barker served as the director of coaching and player development for the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (MYSA). As a state association, the MYSA represented over 140 clubs and 75,000 members.

Barker has served on the national instructional staff for the NSCAA, U.S. Soccer and U.S. Youth Soccer. His formal coaching qualifications come from the NSCAA, U.S. Soccer, U.S. Youth Soccer, the English FA, and the German DFB.  As a coach and coach educator, Barker has traveled extensively in Europe, South and Central America, and Africa.


 
Derek Barraza
President
California State Soccer Association South (Cal South)

Derek Barraza is president of the California State Soccer Association-South (Cal South). He is an Information Technology professional (IT) and a Project Management Institute (PMI) certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with over 30 years of experience in IT sales and delivery. Derek has performed in various IT roles including Business Development, Account Executive, Customer Relationship Manager, Project Manager, Business Systems Analyst, Quality Assurance Manager, and Software Developer.

Derek has served as a committee member and member of the Cal South Board of Directors since 1998. Derek's soccer background includes playing in local adult soccer leagues, coaching and managing youth teams, directing local and international youth soccer tournaments, and serving various roles on local youth soccer boards.

Derek and Cindy, his wife of 35 years, have three sons, Derek, Ray, and Victor and one grandson.

 
Lorenzo Beltrame
 
Michael Bergeron
President & Chief Executive Officer
Youth Sports of the Americas

Michael F. Bergeron, Ph.D., FACSM is President and Chief Executive Officer of Youth Sports of the Americas, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama.

Internationally recognized for his research and leadership in exercise-heat stress and youth athletic health, Dr. Bergeron co-chaired and is the lead author on the 2015 International Olympic Committee Consensus on Youth Athletic Development. He is a Fellow and past Trustee of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and served a 4-year term as a member of the National Federation of State High School Associations Sports Medicine Advisory Committee. He is also a member of the Medical Advisory Committee for Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. and the Academic Advisory Board for the International Olympic Committee postgraduate Diploma Program in Sports Medicine. Dr. Bergeron serves as an Editorial Board member for the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism and Journal of Athletic Training. He also serves as Clinical and Scientific Consultant to the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) professional tour medical services and Heat, Hydration and Research Advisor to Major League Soccer (MLS).

Dr. Bergeron has worked with numerous youth, collegiate, and professional athletes and teams on appropriately and safely enhancing athletic capacity and resilience by providing individualized and sport-specific training and nutrition/hydration guidance, with a particular emphasis on preparation, competition, and recovery strategies in the heat and helping athletes to avoid exertional heat illness and injury. Because of his recognized expertise and reputation among athletes, coaches and sport and sports medicine governing bodies, Dr. Bergeron has been regularly featured as the “go-to” expert resource on myriad national television and radio shows, as well as in numerous online and print media and publications.

 
Lynn Berling-Manuel
Chief Executive Officier
NSCAA

Berling-Manuel is the first female to lead the NSCAA in its storied 75-year history, and one of the few women in the world to lead a major soccer organization. Berling-Manuel joined the NSCAA after nearly eight years as chief marketing officer of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) in Torrance, Calif.  With nearly 500,000 players and 70,000 coaches, AYSO is the biggest youth soccer club in the world. During her tenure, Berling-Manuel guided all brand management, partnership development, fundraising, and communications efforts. Her most recent accomplishment was developing a five-year, multi-million dollar partnership with FOX Sports, making AYSO its exclusive youth soccer partner.

Prior to joining AYSO, Berling-Manuel was with  Soccer America Communications LLC,  first as editor-in-chief and associate publisher (1984-1991), and then as CEO and publisher (1991-2007). She directed the strategic development and execution of the multi-platform soccer media company, which includes Soccer America Magazine, as well as monthly, weekly, and daily digital publications, conferences, and events. Berling-Manuel was also responsible for transforming the then 30-year-old Soccer America from a national weekly magazine to an internet-dominant communications product and the leading soccer media outlet it is today.

Berling-Manuel is not a new face within the NSCAA, as she has been a long-time member of the Association and an appointed at-large member of the NSCAA Board of Directors since 2006. She is also a member of the U.S. Soccer Diversity Committee. Berling-Manuel’s other volunteer experience includes serving as president of the West Berkeley Foundation Board of Directors (2002-07) and being a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame Board of Directors  (2005-10).

Berling-Manuel attended UC Berkeley, where she studied economics. She also earned a professional publishing program certification from Stanford University. Her hometown is Albany, Calif., and she is married to Martin Manuel.

 
Anouschka Bernhard
Head Coach
U17 German Women's National Team
Career as a player: VfL Sindelfingen FSV Frankfurt Successes as a player: Vice World Champion 1995 European Champion 1995 German Champion 1995, 1998 Cup winner in 1995 Career as a trainer: FSV Frankfurt (1998-1999, 2000-2002) Youth Coordinator Hertha BSC Berlin (2003-2011) Success as a trainer: U-17 European Championship in 2012, U-17 European Champion 2013
 
Nigel Best
Irish FA Coach Education Manager
Irish FA

Nigel Best is currently the IFA Coach Education Manager.

Nigel holds the UEFA “A” & Pro Licenses.

 
Bill Beswick
Applied Sports Psychologist

Bill Beswick is a leading applied sport psychologist who specialises in the achievement of high-level team performance. His background includes a Masters Degree, school and college teaching/management roles. He was Head Coach of the England Basketball team that won Gold at the 1982 Commonwealth Championships.

In football, Bill has worked at Manchester United, Middlesbrough & Sunderland in the English Premier League and with FC Twente in the Dutch Eredivisie, where he supported Women’s and Academy teams as well as the first team. He has contributed to Pro Licence award courses for a number of European Football Associations and has international experience with the England U18 and U21 squads and as Team Psychologist with England Senior Men.  Currently he is working with Derby County FC, supporting their aim of promotion back into the Premier League.

Bill’s assignments extend across other major team sports. He has provided mentoring and support to senior rugby union coaches and is retained by the RFU to support the England Senior Men’s Rugby team with specialist mental skills and performance advice through to the 2015 World Cup. He also advised the England Women’s Rugby coaching team during their 2010 World Cup. A return to basketball in 2013 saw Bill working with the GB Men’s and Women’s teams through their European Championship campaigns. Bill is thus unique in having England/Great Britain international experience across three major team sports: basketball, football and rugby.  Now he has added yet another elite team to his portfolio, having been appointed to work with British Swimming as they compete in Europe while preparing for the 2016 Rio Olympics

His Book ‘Focused For Soccer’ published by Human Kinetics and now in a new, enlarged  2nd edition, was one of the first to explore the psychology of football and has proved to be a sustained success, with translations into seven languages including Japanese, Chinese, Spanish and German. 

 
Marlene Bjornsrud
Executive Director
Alliance of Women Coaches
Marlene Bjornsrud’s career over the past 35 years has included leadership roles in several facets of the sports industry including a collegiate national championship tennis coach and an athletics administrator at Grand Canyon and Santa Clara Universities. She was the first General Manager of the San Jose CyberRays of the professional Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA) and the team won the inaugural WUSA championship. This organization was founded on the belief that the full aspirations of women in sports are yet to be realized, and that the full benefits of sports in society cannot be achieved without women. BAWSI is an advocate for all social and policy issues that impact the lives of girls and women in sports.
 
Hugo Blanco
Sports Projects Coordinator
LaLiga
Hugo Blanco is LaLiga’s Sports Projects Coordinator and an expert in methodology training. He has extensive experience with the Galician Football Federation and Galician School of Coaching.
 
Lindsay Blom
Associate Professor
Ball State University
For the past decade, Dr. Lindsey Blom has investigated positive youth development through sport and using sport to promote peace at the individual, community, and international levels. Specifically, her research focuses on maximizing the benefits of sport participation through a mastery and cooperative approach fostered by trained coaches and supportive parents, emphasizing a holistic, long-term athletic development model. Her current projects include conducting international sport for social change programs in Jordan and Tajikistan, developing a values-based curriculum that can infused into recreational sport leagues, chairing a task force for the position statement on Maximizing the Benefits of Youth Sport, and running local after-school sport for peace leadership programs with elementary school children. 

To accompany her educational training and research experience, Lindsey has over ten years of consulting experience as a certified consultant for the Association of Applied Sport Psychology and over twelve years of experience as a youth soccer coach. She has led numerous team-building workshops and presented at coaching conferences. Additionally, as a soccer coach, she has worked with children ages 4 to 18, in recreational, competitive, and school-based settings, using her former experiences as a semi-professional and college soccer player.
 
Dr. Julie Bonham
 
Jim Boyce
Vice President & Executive Board Member
FIFA

Jim Boyce OBE is currently a Vice-President of FIFA and a FIFA Executive Committee board member.  Jim has also served as President of the Irish Football Association, Northern Ireland's football governing body, from 1995 to 2007.

 
Noel Bradbury
Groundbreaking Assistant Principal
Royal Turnbridge Wells, England
Noel Bradbury grew up in Manchester, England, playing high-level soccer against the likes of Ryan Giggs and others. When his dreams of a professional career were cut short by a serious car accident, soccer got his life back on track, inspiring him to study and become a physical education teacher. With his school desperately struggling with low attendance, Noel hit upon a new idea: using soccer as a vehicle to drive learning – and the results have been astounding.
 
Tim Bradbury
Technical Director
Eastern New York Youth Soccer
Technical Director of the Olympic Development Program, ENYYSA (1996-1999), USSF 'A' License, NSCAA Master Coach
 
Michel Bruyninckx
Partner
CogiTraining
Michel is a renowned soccer educator who has worked with clubs all around the world in various positions. In the past few years, he has worked as a consultant for several clubs in Europe, including the AC Milan Youth Academy in Italy. Bruyninckx holds a UEFA ‘A’ License and a UEFA Youth Elite License. He has also acquired certificates as a K.B.V.B. certified youth trainer, assistant trainer and trainer-coach with great distinction, among many others. From 1972-2000, he worked as a teacher and also coached at several professional soccer clubs and national clubs. In 2002, he led UEFA Referees’ Courses in Monaco and was responsible for running and coordinating training for 54 elite referees in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Michel has taught dozens of courses and lectures on soccer and sports and has also authored several published articles. He has presented at workshops all around the world, including work with U.S. Soccer, MLS and the NSCAA.
 
Glen Buckley
Director
Glen Buckley Soccer
 
Becky Burleigh
Head Women's Coach
University of Florida

In 19 seasons at the helm of the UF soccer team, Burleigh, 46, has led UF to a NCAA Championship, two NCAA College Cup appearances, 13 Southeastern Conference titles and 17 NCAA Championships berths. Along the way, Burleigh picked up National (1998) and SEC Coach of the Year (2012, ‘10, ‘08, ‘00 & '96) honors. Her career winning percentage of 77.0 (419-113-34) ranks No. 4 among the NCAA Division I Active Coaches.

The 1998 season's culmination with a 1-0 victory over North Carolina for the NCAA Championship marked a remarkable job by Burleigh, as the program she built from its beginnings used a four-year fast track to the national crown. In 1998, Florida set season marks for best record (26-1), highest national ranking (No. 1), and highest NCAA Championships seeding (No. 2). Florida captured its third consecutive SEC Tournament title and advanced to its first-ever NCAA College Cup. By taking UF to the College Cup, Burleigh became only the second female coach to lead her team to the NCAA semifinals and the first to win the NCAA crown. Burleigh also received the 1998 NSCAA/adidas, College Soccer Weekly and Soccer Buzz National Coach of the Year awards.

Burleigh's Gator teams were overachievers from the beginning, setting impressive milestones each fall. After joining the Gator program in June of 1994, Burleigh had just over a year to put together the first Florida soccer team. Burleigh used the time wisely, and the team that she introduced to the crowd of more than 4,400 at the James G. Pressly Stadium on Sept. 2, 1995 was a squad that was ready to step into the challenges of NCAA Division I soccer competition. Burleigh’s second Gator team made it known early that they were ready to take a spot among the nation’s elite, defeating then-No. 9 Virginia, 1-0, the opening week of the 1996 season for UF’s first win over a ranked team. Florida quickly jumped into the top 10 of every national poll -- a position it would hold throughout the 1996 campaign. The 1996 UF squad became the first of four UF teams (1998, '99, '00) to sweep through the SEC regular season and Tournament undefeated. As a second-year program, Florida was the youngest in the 32-team field of the 1996 NCAA Championship, reaching the NCAA quarterfinal and finishing the season ranked in the nation’s top 10. The 1997 Florida team defeated three top-25 teams and although the Gators finished second in the SEC Eastern Division, UF did defeat SEC Eastern Division champion Vanderbilt to win the program’s second consecutive SEC Tournament title.

Prior to being named Florida’s first head soccer coach, Burleigh coached the Berry (Ga.) College Lady Fury for five seasons (1989-93), when she compiled an 82-23-6 overall record. During her five-year coaching tenure at Berry, Burleigh guided the Lady Fury to two NAIA national championships (1990 and 1993) and was also named NAIA National Coach of the Year during the same two seasons. Burleigh was named NAIA Regional Coach of the Year in her first season as head coach at Berry in 1989, when her squad finished as the national runner-up. At Berry, Burleigh compiled a 76.6 win percentage, as she lost only seven games to NAIA opponents during her five seasons of coaching the Lady Fury.

Burleigh has coached 19 NSCAA All-Americans, 11 NAIA All-Americans, 38 All-SEC players, 120 student-athletes on the All-SEC Academic Honor Roll, five CoSIDA Academic All-Americans with seven honors and 11 student-athletes honored as NSCAA Academic All-Americans.

As a student-athlete, Burleigh played her collegiate ball at Methodist College in Fayetteville, N.C., where she was a four-year letterwinner. In her senior year, the Tarpon Springs, Fla., native served as team captain and was named to the All-South team as well as the team’s Most Valuable Player from her goalkeeper position. Burleigh graduated Magna Cum Laude from Methodist in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. In the fall of 1999, Burleigh was inducted into the Methodist Hall of Fame. She earned her master’s degree from Georgia State University in 1993.

 
Nevin Caple
Co-founder and Executive Director
Br{ache the Silence Campaign
Nevin Caple is Co-founder and Executive Director of Br{ache the Silence Campaign. BTS Campaign is a non-profit organization founded to end anti-LGBTQ bias in sports through education and public awareness initiatives. As a strategic diversity consultant, Nevin travels to college athletic departments throughout the country to educate coaches, athletic administrators and student-athletes on how to create inclusive athletic communities. She sits on the Wade Trophy Committee for women’s college basketball, the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Advocacy Committee and National Center for Lesbian Rights’ National Leadership Council. Nevin works closely with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and the NCAA Office of Inclusion to develop educational programming. She is a founding member of the Nike LGBT Sports Coalition and resides in New York City. For more information, visit nevincaple.com or connect on Twitter @nevincaple and @BTScampaign
 
Dr. David Carr
Professor
Ohio University
Developed the masters degree program in coaching education in 2001, Designed the curriculum for online delivery in 2008, National Staff Coach since 1995, US Youth Soccer
 
George Chiampas D.O.
Assistant Professor Emergency and Sports Medicine
Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago

George Chiampas, DO is an Assistant Professor in Emergency and Sports Medicine at the Feinberg school of medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago. George serves multiple roles in the sports medicine world with a broad scope from team physician, emergency management and response, as well as mass event planning.
George currently serves as team physician for the Northwestern University wildcats, Chicago Blackhawks as well as travels and provides medical coverage for US soccer and the Men’s National team locally and internationally. He has been the Medical director of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon with 45,000 runners annually and the 40,000 participant Shamrock 8k shuffle. He works closely with city, state and federal agencies in the planning of these events and has incorporated and lead the way with the “Unified Command” approach for mass sporting events and medical coverage.
He currently is president of the American Road Race Medical Society where the direction of “Best Practices” in medical endurance events have been established. He has lectured nationally and internationally and has authored book chapters and journal articles on several topics including mass event management, EMS and communication in a unified command approach. In 2010 Dr Chiampas led and co-authored the medical chapter for the US Bid  for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup.
Locally in Chicago, Dr Chiampas is involved with several shorter and larger running events and since 2009 has also served as co-medical director of the Hustle up the Hancock climb for lung disease research. He is involved and a member of several national emergency and sports medicine societies where his focus has become emergency management and mass event preparedness.

 
Brian Ching
Founder, Former USMNT Player
Helm Soccer, United States

Brian Ching (born May 24, 1978) is the managing director of the Houston Dash. Ching played professional soccer for thirteen years, twelve of which were in Major League Soccer. He also represented the U.S. national team for eight years. Ching's professional career began when he was the 16th pick overall by the Los Angeles Galaxy in the 2001 MLS SuperDraft, making him the first Gonzaga player and the first player from his native Hawaii selected in the MLS draft. After winning the U.S. Open Cup with Los Angeles, Ching was released from the team and played with the second division Seattle Sounders. He returned to first division soccer when the San Jose Earthquakes acquired him in the 2003 MLS Supplemental Draft. He won an MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield with the Earthquakes, collected the MLS Comeback Player of the Year Award, the MLS Golden Boot, and was named to the MLS Best XI. In 2006, Ching relocated to Houston when the Earthquakes team became the Houston Dynamo. He led the team to back-to-back MLS Cup Championships in 2006 and 2007 and four MLS finals overall. A six-time MLS All-Star, Ching retired from professional soccer in 2013 as Houston Dynamo’s all-time leading scorer. Ching made his international debut May 26, 2003, becoming the first Hawaiian-born player to represent the United States. Ching scored his first international goal, an equalizer in the 88th minute, in a World Cup qualifier 1-1 tie against Jamaica in Kingston on August 18, 2004. He became the first Hawaiian to be named to the U.S. roster for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He helped the US team win the 2007 Gold Cup. On May 11, 2010, Ching was named to the preliminary U.S. men's squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Off the field, Brian is a pillar in the Houston community where he partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build three homes for underprivileged families in the Houston area through fundraising efforts under his program "The House that Ching Built”. He now currently has accepted a seat on the board for Houston Habitat where he continues to help the community in which he played. Another one of his initiatives is Ching’s Champions in partnership with Kroger. This would honor people from the community that continuously give selflessly of themselves in the service of others. Each year winners would get a 250 second shopping spree. Along with these initiatives Brian constantly donates his time to other charitable causes like Recipe for Success, Celebration of Champions for Texas Children’s Hospital, Girls Inc., Houston’s Children’s Charity, Dynamo Charities, and others. He constantly enjoys giving his time and voice for the betterment of the community around him.

 
Ihor Chyzowych
Director
Chyzowych Soccer School
Ihor holds a USSF 'A' License, National Youth Instructor's License and NSCAA Advanced National Diploma.  He  is an ODP Region II Staff Coach and OSYSA State Staff Coach and Licensed Clinician.
 
Nancy Clark
Sports Nutritionist & Author
Nancy Clark RD

Nancy Clark, MS, RD, CSSD is an internationally respected sports nutritionist, weight coach, nutrition author, and workshop leader. She is a registered dietitian (RD) who specializes in nutrition for exercise, health, and the nutritional management of eating disorders. She is board certified as a specialist in sports dietietics (CSSD) and a certified WellCoach. Nancy's private practice is located in Newton Highlands, MA. She offers one-on-one nutrition consultations to both fitness exercisers and competitive athletes, coaching them on strategies to eat wisely, enhance energy, optimize performance, and manage weight. Her more renowned clients that have relied on her expertise in diet for sports conditioning to gain a competitive edge have included members of the Boston Celtics (basketball) and Boston Bruins (ice hockey), as well as many collegiate, elite and Olympic athletes from a variety of sports. She is the Team Nutritionist for the Boston Red Sox (baseball)..

 Nancy completed her undergraduate degree in nutrition from Simmons College in Boston, her dietetic internship at Massachusetts General Hospital, and her graduate degree in nutrition with a focus on exercise physiology from Boston University. Previously, she was Director of Nutrition Services at Sports Medicine Associates in Brookline, MA, and then from 2005 to 2011, counseled her clients at Healthworks in Chestnut Hill. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association), the recipient of their Media Excellence Award, an active member of the Academy's practice group of sports nutritionists (SCAN), and recipient of SCAN's Honor Award for Excellence in Practice. Nancy is also a Fellow in the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and recipient of the Honor Award from ACSM's New England Chapter. She is recipient of the American Society for Nutrition's Nutrition Science Writer Media Award

Nancy's contributions to runners in the Boston area culminated in her receiving the Will Cloney Award. Nancy also holds the honor of having her photo and advice on the back of the Wheaties box for their 2004 Olympic series. She has been a member of the Mizuno Advisory Staff. Clark is the nutrition columnist for New England Runner and American Fitness . She is a frequent contributor to Runner's World and Rowing News, and she has been on the advisory board for SHAPE magazine. Clark also writes a monthly nutrition column called The Athlete's Kitchen, which appears regularly in over 100 sports and health publications and websites, including Active.com and MomsTeam.com. Nancy is the author of the best selling sports nutrition reference Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook. Over 560,000 copies of this classic book have been enjoyed by health professionals and exercise enthusiasts alike. HerFood Guide for Marathoners: Tips for Everyday Champions and Food Guide for New Runners: Getting It Right From the Start help novice runners and walkers go the distance with energy to spare. And her Cyclist's Food Guide: Fueling for the Distance (co-authored with Jenny Hegmann, MS, RD) helps both beginning and experienced cyclists optimize their performance. Food Guide for Soccer: Tips and Recipes from the Pros, co-authored with Gloria Averbuch in conjunction with Women's Professional Soccer, helps soccer athletes have the winning edge.

 
Jean Claude Giuntini
Head Coach
France Men's U-17 National Team
 
Pekka Clewer
Head Coordinator of Coaching Education
Finland FA
 
Lisa Cole
Technical Director, U20 National Team Head Coach
Centre Soccer Association, Papua New Guinea
Lisa Cole is the Technical Director for Centre Soccer Association. Lisa is the former Head Coach of the Boston Breakers of the Women's Professional Soccer. Cole brings over a decade of coaching experience to the association from all levels; professional, collegiate, and youth, along with experience running camps and clinics. Cole was the President and Assistant Coach of SoccerPlus Connecticut Reds. In addition, Cole is the Director for the SoccerPlus Education Center, a non-profit organization that provides and participates in educational programs, seminars, community outreach events and individual mentoring on and off the soccer field. Cole’s collegiate coaching experience includes a year at Florida State as an Assistant Coach; she served as Head Coach of the University of Rhode Island; Assistant Coach at the University of Connecticut and Assistant Coach at the University of Mississippi. Cole holds a USSF “A” license and NSCAA Premier Diploma and is an NSCAA National staff coach and member of the Region I Olympic Development Program (ODP) staff. Lisa Cole serves on the Women's Committee with the NSCAA.
 
Emile Coleman
CEO
Globall Coach

Emile has 18 years of experience within the creative/new-media industry at the highest levels internationally. His professional career has been a mix of consultancy and entrepreneurship. Emile was part of Rafa Benitez's personal staff for three years and managed the development of Globall Coach from inception to realization. 

Emile is Chief Executive Officer responsible for managing the commercial roll out of the product and Head of Research at Globall Coach. 

 
Tom Condone
Soccer Across America Committee
U.S. Youth Soccer
 
John Cone
CEO and Founder
Fit For 90
John Cone has his Ph.D. in Kinesiology studying the effects of soccer-specific fatigue on movement mechanics. 
He is a soccer-specific sports scientist and periodization specialist with experience coaching at all levels of play from the professional (MLS) to collegiate and youth national teams. Cone was the Director at SoccerPlus Goalkeeping School for 12 years and was the Assistant Coach at the University of Tennessee until 2002.  He then became the Goalkeeping Director for Capital Area Soccer League (CASL) and was the Assistant Men's Soccer Coach for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  In 2005, Cone became the Assistant Coach for the Kansas City Wizards (now Sporting KC). He was also the Assistant Coach for the Carolina Dynamo and the Director of Sports Science for the Portland Timbers, and was a part-time faculty staff member at UNC Greensboro for 2 and a half years. Cone is now the CEO and owner of Athletes' Research Institute Inc. (formerly Cone Fitness Training and Consulting LLC.) specializing in delivering research-based innovative training solutions. He also is a consultant for the United States Soccer Federation and holds extensive fitness and soccer-specific coaching licenses from US and international federations.
 
Ann Cook
Associate Head Coach of Women's Soccer Team
Penn State Nittany Lions
Ann is the Associate Head Coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions Women's Soccer team that has won 15 Big Ten titles, and reached the NCAA Final Four in 2015. A three-time All-American player at the College of William & Mary, Ann was in the mix for the Hermann Trophy as well as the M.A.C. Player of the Year Award in both 1995. After her professional playing career in the WUSA, Ann joined the collegiate coaching ranks at Missouri State and Nebraska before heading to Penn State. Ann has been on the Soccer Without Borders (SWB) national advisory board since 2010 and played a critical role in the founding of the SWB Nicaragua program. 
 
Heather Cooke
Trainer
Beast Mode Soccer
Heather Cooke is currently a Trainer at Beast Mode Soccer and an associate at Max International. Cooke is a Filipino-American international footballer and reality TV personality. She was recently drafted to play for Landsbro IF of the Swedish Women's Football League System. In 2011, she appeared on the MTV reality series The Real World: Las Vegas, and later appeared on The Challenge: Rivals II in 2013. Cooke previously worked as a Nuclear Worker for DZ Atlantic. Cooke attended Loyola University Maryland.
 
David Copeland-Smith
Founder & Owner
Beast Mode Soccer, LLC
Internationally recognized as a leading figure in individual technical development, David is seen as a long-term thinker and visionary, determined to bestow a phenomenal work ethic on the next generation of soccer players. Beast Mode Soccer has grown into the go-to technical training system trusted by prominent player’s of the United States Women’s National Team, the United States Men’s National Team, Major League Soccer, English Premier League, National Women’s Soccer League and countless leagues in Europe. Based in Los Angeles, California, David Copeland-Smith created Beast Mode Soccer in 2010 as a training system to help guide players’ technical development and to instill a proactive, progressive mindset of self-reliance and personal accountability within his clients. The result? The creation of a training culture that has attracted the likes of countless collegiate, professional, and international players such as Alex Morgan, Christen Press, Landon Donovan and Ali Riley and the publication of award winning at-home training programs to direct players with their technical development while they’re on their own.
 
Joe Cummings
Founder and President
Manage Your Soccer Club

Founder and President of MANAGE YOUR SOCCER CLUB, LLC and CUMMINGS MANAGEMENT GROUP, LLC

2009-2015:  CEO, National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)

2007-2009:  President and General Manager, Boston Breakers

COO of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS)

2005-2007:  President, New England Soccer School

2004-2005:  Technical Director, New England Revolution

2003:   Venue Manager, Women’s World Cup-Boston and Philadelphia Venues

2000-2003:  President and General Manager, Boston Breakers (WUSA)

1999-2000:  General Manager, Boston Bulldogs, Boston Renegades and Cape Cod Crusaders

1999:   Director of Operations, Women’s World Cup-Boston Venue

1996-1999:  Director of Operations, Assistant General Manager, New England Revolution,

1996:   Director of Operations, Olympic Games, Birmingham, AL Venue

Two time Executive of the Year, Women’s United Soccer Association

Member of Algonquin Regional High School Hall of Fame, Central Massachusetts Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Massachusetts Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame

New England High School Coach of the Year

President and/or DOC of four different youth clubs

 
Dr. Stuart Currie
Assistant Professor of Health and Human Performance
University of Tennessee-Martin

Dr. Stuart Currie is an Assistant Professor of Health and Human Performance at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Stuart studies physical education and sport pedagogy with research interests in motor learning and development. He has presented his research on tennis, golf, and soccer at national and international conferences. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Physical Education and a Ph.D. in Human Performance. Stuart played soccer in England and at college in the United States. He holds a USSF ‘C’ License and has coached soccer at the youth and college levels and for the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program in Tennessee.


 
James Davies
Club Director
FC Boulder

James Davies is a club director at FC Boulder, with more than ten years experience as a full time staff coach in Colorado. During that time he led two major tournaments - one for developmental players which grew from 100 to 340 teams and a second aimed at elite athletes, which has grown from 0 to 350 teams in four years and is nationally ranked in the top 50. Prior to becoming a soccer director, James was a consultant and project manager to state governments - both of which he has tried to incorporate into the soccer business model. His coaching qualifications include the USSF A and Y Licenses, NSCAA Premier Diploma and Director of Coaching Diploma. He teaches USSF E and D licenses and state NSCAA certifications. During one such course it became apparent that coaches were traveling 800+ miles for education. James set up SoccerAnywhere.com to give all coaches free access to top level practice plans, advice, reviews and interviews with experts from around the game - no matter where they live. Through building the audience for the site, and interviewing social media professionals, he is in a unique position to be able to share lessons learned on growing and engaging an audience for club, tournament and other soccer events.

 
Steve Davis
Technical Director & Director of Coaching Seniors
New York Rush
 
Atticus DeProspo
D1 student-athlete
Cornell University
Atticus DeProspo received his B.S degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University in May 2015, graduating with honors.  He wrote his senior honor thesis on LGBTQ inclusion in sports using human resource analytics.  He was a member of the Cornell Men's Varsity Soccer Team for four years, helping them win an Ivy League Title in 2012. Atticus founded and was President of a chapter of Athlete Ally at Cornell, where he helped to make the athletic community a more inclusive space for LGBTQ individuals. During the summer of 2015, Atticus interned for Justice Sonia Sotomayor at the US Supreme Court. He was recently selected as a Schwarzman Scholar, where he will pursue a graduate degree in China. Atticus has been a member of the NSCAA's LGBT Committee since December 2013.
 
John DeWitt
Sports Performance Coach
Houston Dynamo
Coach De Witt is the Head Sports Performance Coach for the Houston Dynamo Academy and Fitness Coach for the Houston Dash. He is responsible for developing individualized on field fitness prescriptions for the U16 and U18 academy teams and the senior women's team. Coach De Witt has also served as the Fitness Coach for the Trinidad & Tobago Senior Women's National Soccer Team, where he worked with the coaching staff and external fitness coaches to create training programs for team players. Coach De Witt has had collaborations with English Premier League and Eredivisie, NBA, and NCAA Division I Football Teams, and with coaches and athletes in professional boxing. He is an expert at providing information based on sound scientific evidence to coaches and athletes in their language. Coach De Witt also works as the Senior Biomechanist in the NASA Exercise Physiology Laboratory and has presented at multiple past NSCAA Conventions.
 
Tony DiCicco
Director, Founder
NSCAA Goalkeeping Academy, Soccer Plus
Tony DiCicco is the President, Technical Director and Founder of SoccerPlus Goalkeeper School and SoccerPlus Field Player Academy. He is the former head coach of the U.S. Women's National and Olympic Soccer Teams and the U.S. Under-20 Women's National Team. In 2008, in his return to international soccer, he coached the U.S. to the FIFA Under-20 World Cup Championship in Chile. He previously led the Senior National Team to the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Championship, the largest women's sporting event in history. And in 1996, he coached the U.S. Women's Olympic Team to the first ever Gold Medal in Women's Soccer. Tony is the only American coach to have guided teams to an Olympic Gold Medal; a FIFA World Cup Championship and a FIFA Under-20 World Cup Championship. Tony is currently the Director of the NSCAA Goalkeeping Academy. He has also served as a consultant for international federations, must recently, the Turkish Football Federation. He also serves as a TV soccer analyst with ESPN and Fox Sports.

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Ian Donnelly
Managing Director
Performance Innovation Ltd.

Ian Donnelly has been immersed in the area of Performance Analysis (PA) in sport for more than 20 years both in the role of analyst and in the development of video and data analysis technology for coaches and educators. He is an integral member of ISPAS (International Society of Performance Analysis in Sport) and has been at the forefront of the growth and integration of PA at all levels of the game.

With a background in both education and coaching, Ian founded ESA in 1995 and was instrumental in developing the world’s first interactive video and data analysis software for coaches. He continues to utilize the latest computer and video technology in developing analysis and development tools for coaches in his current role as MD of Performance Innovation.

Within coach education, Ian works with a growing number of National Associations who now fully integrate performance analysis into their courses.

 
Landon Donovan
Founder, Former USMNT Player
Helm Soccer, United States

Landon Timothy Donovan (born March 4, 1982) is a retired professional soccer player. His career spanned 16 years and he played over 500 total games in Major League Soccer for the San Jose Earthquakes and LA Galaxy, in Germany for Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich, and in England for Everton FC. He also appeared 157 times for the US Men's National Team in addition to playing for the U-17, U-20, and Olympic National Teams. Landon is the all-time leader in goals and assists for the US Men's National Team as well as the all-time leader in goals and assists in Major League Soccer. He participated in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and played in 3 World Cups. He is a 6-time MLS Cup Champion and considered the best soccer player America has ever produced.

Landon is also very involved in the community, working closely with the LA Galaxy Foundation on its educational, health, and soccer based initiatives and programs. Through the foundation, Landon has visited Children’s Hospital Los Angeles numerous times, served Thanksgiving meals to children and families in need, and participated in holiday gift giveaways for underprivileged children. Separate from his work with the LA Galaxy Foundation, Landon has participated in countless charitable endeavors. He lent his name and his voice to the United Against Malaria Campaign to raise global awareness and renew worldwide commitment to ending malaria, as well as increase the use of prevention tools and malaria treatment in Africa. Landon participated in the popular television show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” filming a special message of support and encouragement to a family whose living conditions had caused their health to dramatically deteriorate. Landon has also served as a spokesperson for Kids 4 Kids, a charity that supports the Children’s Cancer Research Fund. Finally, Landon works extremely closely with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and, to date, has granted more than a dozen wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses.

 
Anson Dorrance
Head Women's Coach
University of North Carolina

“The single most successful coach in any sport in all of intercollegiate athletics,” Dorrance is credited with having set the standard for women soccer worldwide when as the U.S. Women’s National Coach his 1991 team won the first FIFA women’s world championship with an extraordinary attacking style.  For this feat Dorrance and the team were awarded the National Soccer Hall of Fame Medal of Honor in 2001.  Named National Coach of the year on many occasions in his role as Head Coach of the University of North Carolina Women’s Soccer program, in his 37th year of his collegiate coaching career, Dorrance’s staggering 777-58-31 record and 22 national championships represents the best NCAA record for any coach in any Division I sport nationwide.

In 1991, Soccer America named Dorrance one of the 20 most influential men in American soccer over the previous 20 years. Soccer America followed that up in 1995 by naming Dorrance as one of the 25 most influential people in the history of American soccer. Dorrance was one of only three coaches on that list and the only women's coach tapped. In 1995, Dorrance’s program was profiled in a full-length documentary film entitled, “Dynasty,” focusing in particular on the Tar Heels’ amazing nine-year national championship run from 1986 through 1994.  More recently HBO produced “Dare to Dream”, a special on the remarkable rise of the U.S. Women built on the “91ers”, the five athletes Dorrance picked for the first world championship who remained the spine of a U.S. national team dynasty that won two world championships (1991 & 1999) and two Olympics (1996 & 2004).  Dorrance has co-authored two best selling books for coaches and players:  “Training Soccer Champions” and “The Vision of a Champion”.  Dan Davies publisher of Business Leader in the September 1997 issue of his magazine called “Training Soccer Champions . . . the best book on management I’ve read in the past five years”.  In October of 2006 Tim Crothers, senior writer for Sports Illustrated, produced “The Man Watching:  A Biography of Anson Dorrance the Unlikely Architect of the Greatest College Sports Dynasty Ever”.

In 2004 an expert panel employed by ESPN announced its list of The Best Twenty-five Coaches of the Past 25 Years.  Most of the coaches selected were from the professional coaching community and college football and basketball, Dorrance was one of only two coaches outside those communities honored on that list.

A 1974 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in both English and philosophy, Dorrance was inducted 14 years later into the Order of the Golden Fleece, Carolina's highest honorary society which includes Carolina students, faculty and staff.  In 1994, Dorrance added another honor when the athletic department at the University of North Carolina designated him as a "Priceless Gem”. This is reserved only for those individuals who have contributed in extraordinary ways to the successful athletic climate at the University. Dorrance’s most recent honor came in 2010, when he received the C. Knox Massey Distinguished Service Award.  The criterion for the award is “unusual, meritorious or superior contributions made by an employee, past or present, to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.”

Dorrance has been a charter member of the NCAA Women’s Soccer Committee, currently serves as a national staff coach for the NSCAA and on the National Soccer Hall of Fame Board of Directors for U.S. Soccer.  On January 14, 2011, Dorrance received the NSCAA Honor Award. He is a member of the North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame and was inducted in 2005 into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame and on August 3, 2008 was inducted into the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame. 

 
Dan Dougherty
TeamApp
 
Sebastian Dremmler
Head Coach
FC Bayern U-16
 
Amanda Duffy
General Manager
Louisville City FC
Amanda Duffy has been in professional soccer ever since she graduated from East Carolina University.  She worked for United Soccer Leagues for seven years in various areas.  Spending time as the League Operations Administration as well as the Directo of USL PRO Operations led to her first gig for Louisville City FC as Vice President of Operations in 2014.  After three months, she became the General Manager, her current role.  
 
Roy Dunshee
Head Coach
Washington College (MD)

Roy Dunshee was named the 11th head coach in Washington College men's soccer history in April 2012. In Dunshee's first season as the Shoremen's head coach, he guided them to their best overall record since 2007 and best conference record since 2008.

Dunshee's diverse soccer background includes time as a successful high school coach, positions with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), and 16 years operating a soccer skills teaching company. 

Prior to coming to Washington College, Dunshee spent four seasons as the head boys soccer coach at Severna Park High School in Severna Park, MD. He also spent five years coaching at St. Mary's Catholic High School in Annapolis, MD.

Dunshee has also worked for the NSCAA since 2007 as the State Technical Coordinator for both Maryland and Delaware and, most recently, as a National Academy coach. In that position, he teaches high-level residential coaching courses around the country. He has been chosen as a clinician at the annual NSCAA Convention four times and was named the NSCAA's Associate Staff Coach of the Year in 2011. Since 2008, Dunshee has served as a state staff coach for the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association, teaching United States Soccer Federation (USSF) E and D license courses. 

For the past 17 years, Dunshee has operated Coerver Coaching, a company which provides team training, camps, clinics, and coaches' education. He is currently the principal owner and Director of Coaching for the company. 

During the winter and spring of 2010, Dunshee also served as an interim assistant men's soccer coach at Division I Northwestern University, designing and implementing winter and spring training sessions and game plans. Northwestern went on to win the 2011 Big Ten Championship.

Dunshee played collegiate soccer at the University of South Carolina, earning a B.A. in Journalism from the school in 1983. He went on to earn a Juris Doctorate from George Mason University School of Law in 1989. His additional professional experience includes five years as a law clerk and attorney and 13 years as a restauranteur. 

Dunshee's coaching certifications include USSF A, B, C, and D licenses, a US Youth Soccer Y license, and NSCAA Premier, Advanced National, and National Diplomas.

 
Tom Durkin
Technical Director
Boston Breakers Youth Academy

Tom Durkin is currently the Technical Director of the Boston Breakers Youth Academy. On September 3, 2013, he replaced Lisa Cole and interim manager Cat Whitehill as the manager of the Boston Breakers, after serving for them as an assistant for the last two matches of the 2013 National Women's Soccer League. Durkin served as head coach for FC Celtic BoltsBradenton AcademicsUnion County CollegeRichland College and Rutgers University. He also was an assistant manager for United States U–17 national team and the now defunct Tampa Bay Mutiny. He played for Le Moyne College and Loyola University Maryland before playing in the amateur level, competing in state leagues and cups. Durkin also graduated from Kent State University

 
Dr. Rick Eckstein
Professor, Department of Sociology
Villanova University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Dr. Eckstein is an experienced media commentator on the complex issues surrounding the construction of publicly financed sports stadiums and the relationships to the communities in which they are built. He has been quoted numerous times on the subject by leading media outlets including Newsday and The New York Times, and has spoken about stadium public policy in radio and television interviews. Dr. Eckstein has also published research and given conference presentations on issues of inequality in the workplace. His areas of expertise are Sports and Society, Social Inequality and Poverty, and Labor and unions.
 
Rick Eddy
 
Jim Eleftherion
Eastern NY Youth Soccer Assoc.
US Youth Soccer Risk Management Committee
 
Richard Elsinga
President
Meulensteen Method Europe

Richard Elsinga is from the Netherlands and played for professional teams sc Heerenveen, Sc Heracles and Fc Emmen in the Dutch Premier league and First Division. Richard has worked in The Netherlands as a Director of Coaching and Technical Director at several clubs for over 10 years as well as serving as the head coach of many senior and youth teams for 12 years. Elsinga has a UEFA B-license and holds a KNVB instructor license.

 
Chester Elton
Author, Co-Founder & President
The Culture Works
Called the “Apostle of appreciation” by the Globe and Mail, Canada’s largest newspaper, and “creative and refreshing‚” by the New York Times, Chester Elton is co-author of several successful leadership books. All In, The Carrot Principle and What Motivates Me have been New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestsellers. His work has been called a “must read for modern managers,” by Larry King of CNN.

Elton’s books have been translated into more than 30 languages and have sold more than a million copies worldwide. As a motivation expert, Chester has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Fast Company and the New York Times, and has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, CNN, ABC, MSNBC, National Public Radio and CBS’s 60 Minutes. And if you Google the 30 Top Leadership Gurus, you’ll consistently find Chester on the list along with Jack Welch and Jim Collins.

Chester serves as a leadership consultant to firms such as American Express, Avis Budget Group and Cigna. He is most proud, however, to be the father of four exceptional children—all the more exceptional now they have grown up and left home.

 
Jared Embick
Head Coach
Akron Men's Soccer

Jared Embick, who had previously served as the Zips' associate head coach and recruiting coordinator, officially became the seventh head coach in the history of The University of Akron men's soccer program in December of 2012. During Embick's time at Akron, the Zips have posted the highest winning percentage in the nation with an overall record of 140-23-19 (.821), including a 44-2-1 (.947) mark in Mid-American Conference play, while securing seven conference tournament titles, eight trips to the NCAA Tournament and two appearances in an NCAA final. Embick, who was the 2010 National Assistant Coach of the Year, has been a key component of the Zips' dominant run in college soccer – culminating with the school's first team national championship in any sport in 2010 – since joining the staff in 2007.
Due in large part to Embick's recruiting efforts, Akron identified and secured some of the best prospects in the country – and around the world – with top-five recruiting classes in each of the past five seasons. In total, Embick recruited or helped develop 24 players who have gone on to play professionally either in MLS or overseas since 2007. The success of this formula was no more evident than at the 2011 MLS SuperDraft where seven Zips had their names called, including five with the first eight selections overall, to set a pair of MLS records.
Embick has also served as a staff coach with the Under-16 and Under-18 U.S. Soccer Development Academy's Cleveland Internationals club team for the past five years. Prior to joining the Zips, Embick spent four seasons (2003-06) as the head men's soccer coach at Missouri Baptist University where he led the Spartans to a record of 47-21-8 and the program's first NAIA regional tournament berth in 2003. In all, Embick spent six seasons at MBU, including two seasons as a graduate assistant (2000-01) and one season as an assistant coach (2002). During his time at Missouri Baptist, Embick also served as assistant coach for River Cities FC of the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) whom he helped lead to a 13-2-1 record in its inaugural season and an appearance in the WPSL national final. A 2000 graduate of Indiana Wesleyan, Embick was named an All-American by the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) in 1998 and 1999 as a player. He was also an NAIA honorable mention All-America honoree in 1999 and was twice named to the All-Mid-Central Conference squad.

 
Dr. Ruben Enchemendia
Director
NHL Neuropsychological Testing
Dr. Ruben Echemendia is the Director of the National Hockey League’s Neuropsychological Testing Program and Co-Chair of the NHL/NHLPA Concussion Working Group. He is also Chair of Major League Soccer's concussion program and is the consulting clinical neuropsychologist to the US Soccer Federation and the U.S. Soccer National Teams. He is the founder of the Penn State University Concussion Program and the consulting neuropsychologist to Princeton University's Department of Athletic Medicine. Dr. Echemendia also serves as a consultant to numerous recreational, high school, college and professional sports teams. He serves on the US Lacrosse Sports Science and Safety Committee, the NCAA Concussion Task Force, the National Council of Youth Sports Safety, and the US Soccer Medical Advisory Committee. He has served as a consultant to the U.S. Defense Veteran's Brain Injury Center, the Centers for Disease Control, and other national organizations. Dr. Echemendia has had extensive clinical and research experience with sports-related concussions and has spoken internationally on issues related to traumatic brain injury in sports. He is currently in independent practice after having spent 18 years on the faculty of Clinical Psychology at The Pennsylvania State University where he was Director of the Psychological Clinic. Dr. Echemendia is a Past President of the National Academy of Neuropsychology, a Fellow of both the National Academy of Neuropsychology and the American Psychological Association, and is currently the President of the Sports Neuropsychology Society. Dr. Echemendia has published extensively in the area of sports neuropsychology and has been a featured guest on several television and radio programs.
 
Kate Fagan
Columnist and Feature Writer
ESPN
Kate Fagan is a columnist and feature writer forespnWESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine. She is also a regular panelist on ESPN's Around the Horn and can also be seen on First Take, which airs on ESPN2. Previously, Fagan spent three seasons covering the 76ers for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
 
Aaron Faro
Assistant Coach, Athletics Recruitment Coordinator
Messiah College Men's Soccer
A former standout on the soccer pitch for Messiah College, Aaron Faro begins his fifth season as a member of the Falcons’ coaching staff in 2013, serving as head coach Brad McCarty's top assistant coach. Faro also serves as the athletics recruitment coordinator in his full-time role, functioning as a liaison between the admissions and intercollegiate athletics departments at Messiah. Additionally, Faro oversees Messiah College Athletics' AROMA missions program. Faro has been a part of six of the nine national titles in the program's history as either a player or coach. Much of Faro’s experience stems from his work at Missionary Athletes International (MAI), one of the world leaders in sports ministry. Following graduation, Faro both played and worked for the United Soccer League’s Charlotte Eagles organization — a subsidiary of MAI. Faro’s playing career spanned five seasons with the Eagles, helping the club to the USL National Championship in 2005 while aiding to runner-up finishes in both 2004 and 2006.
 
Rob Fereday
Pro Assistant Referee
 
Donna Fishter
Leadership Specialist and Team Architect
Donna Fishter Consulting LLC

Donna Fishter is considered an architect of team culture & player development and is the heart of what it means to be an educator, motivator, and mentor. Her passion is to join the journey with coaches, providing an intentional focus on LEADERSHIP, CULTURE, & PEOPLE.

Donna has coached soccer for over 20 years at all levels, from youth to the college game. After thirteen years at an NCAA Division 1 Top 25 program, Donna stepped out of the x’s and o’s so that she can devote 100% of her time to growing leaders, cultures, and people. Today Donna consults for NCAA collegiate teams in several different sports, high school & youth levels, and professional & national team athletes. In the past 3 years Donna has had 7 NCAA teams in post-season in 2 different sports… 1 National Champion in NCAA Division 1 and 1 National Champion Runner-up in NCAA Division 2. Often referred to as the “the Coach’s Coach”, Donna is a certified leadership coach with the John Maxwell Coaching Team.
 
Jim Fleeting
Director of Football Development
Scottish FA
Jim was previously a professional footballer and began his career with Norwich City, before joining Ayr United, where he stayed for six years. He went on to have play for Clyde and Greenock Morton, before re-joining Clyde. He was appointed manager of Stirling Albion in the summer of 1988, before leaving the club and joining Kilmarnock as manager from 1989 to 1992.

Jim joined the Scottish FA in 1992, appointed by Andy Roxburgh as Head of Community Programme in charge of grassroots football although Jim had been involved with the Association as a coach educator since 1985.

In 2006 Jim was appointed Director of Football Development/Technical Director responsible for the management and development of all programmes and staff within the Football Development department. The Football Development Department is as the title suggests at the forefront of developing the game in Scotland. They cover all areas of the Scottish Communities, girls and boys, men and women, able and disabled, coaches and volunteer, parents and guardians, young and old.
 
David Fliegler
Software and Technology Developer
Coast Soccer League
David Fliegler has worked with Coast Soccer League in Southern California for 20 years developing their technology and communications systems. In 2002 he co-founded e7sports which provided online solutions to youth sports organizations worldwide to operate their player registrations, clubs, tournaments and leagues. e7sports was acquired in 2013. David continues to work with Coast Soccer League on their management systems, website, mobile app and social media.
 
Niall Foy
Section Resource Specialist
American Youth Soccer Organization
Niall Foy has been with AYSO since December 2013 and currently holds the position of Section Resource Specialist based in Phoenix, Ariz. During his time with AYSO, Niall has become embedded within Section 12 (Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Texas and Southern Colorado) and also consistently works with various Regions within neighboring Sections to assist in their development efforts. Niall has a large role within the AYSO's development and marketing team and has represented AYSO at many of the Regional and National EXPOs and events. 
 
D.C. Freedman
Children's Soccer Author, Former Editor for the English FA
D.C. Freedman is a best-selling UK kids’ novelist. D.C. draws upon his experiences in soccer having been with the English national team to two FIFA World Cups and interviewing the likes of David Beckham, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo along the way. D.C. is the author of The Jamie Johnson Series, which is making its official American launch at the 2016 NSCAA Convention.
 
Jeff Freeman
Assistant Women's Coach
University of Illinois
Freeman brought a wealth of experience and tactical expertise to Champaign, Ill., after serving as a member of the University of Miami (Fla.) women's soccer staff for the previous seven years, including three as the associate head coach. He played a prominent role in Miami earning conference and national recognition with top-25 rankings and back-to-back appearances in the 2007-08 NCAA Tournaments as he assisted in all aspects of recruiting and team administration. As the recruiting coordinator, Freeman was responsible for the Hurricanes' 2007 top-25 recruiting class.
 
Brad Friedel
Head Coach
U-19 USMNT
BRAD FRIEDEL is one of the most respected players in the history of American soccer. The former USMNT goalkeeper and three-time FIFA World Cup veteran holds the record for the most consecutive appearances in the English Premier League: 310 games in a row. Brad retired from professional soccer in May and was recently appointed head coach of the United States' U-19 Men's National Team. He also works as an analyst on FOX Sports.
 
Gari Fullaondo
Technical Advisor
LaLiga methodology / Committee of Football Coaches of the Royal Spanish Football Federation
Fullaondo is a UEFA-PRO coach with a Master’s degree in physical training. He is also the Kimet Sport General Manager, which advises sport methodology and offers consulting services.
 
John Gallucci
Medical Coordinator
Major Leauge Soccer
Currently, John is the Medical Coordinator for Major League Soccer (MLS), coordinating the medical care of more than 500 professional soccer players. Gallucci is the former Head Trainer of the New York Red Bulls MLS team and is a Sports Medicine consultant for professional athletes in the NHL, NFL, NBA, MLB, and USA Wrestling. The dynamic founder and president of JAG Physical Therapy, John Gallucci, Jr., MS, ATC, PT, DPT, is in demand for his expertise in injury prevention, rehabilitation, sports medicine and athletic conditioning. He has appeared often on radio and television, including ESPN’s award-winning “Outside the Lines”, MSG Varsity, NJ News 12, WFAN and is a popular public speaker.
 
Vince Ganzberg
Assistant Director of Coaching
NSCAA

Vince Ganzberg has more than 25 years of youth soccer coaching experience, including a decade as the director of coaching education for Indiana Soccer. He has been a member of the U.S. Soccer National Staff, NSCAA Academy Staff and a presenter at the NSCAA Convention since 1999.

Vince is currently a Coaching Education consultant for U.S. Soccer and the Director of Education for the Indy Premier Soccer Club. He holds a USSF ‘A’ License, NSCAA Premier Diploma, US Youth Soccer National Youth License and has a certified teacher’s license for business education.

An All-American at Bethel College in Mishawaka, Ind., Vince was inducted into the Bethel College Hall of Fame and is a member of the 2015 Indiana Soccer Hall of Fame class. He resided in Brownsburg, Ind., with his wife, Amy, his son, Zach, and two stepdaughters, Emma and Ellie.

 
Dan Gaspar
Assistant Coach
Iran National Team
For more than 25 years, Dan Gaspar has studied and created ideal training methods for goalkeeper and field player development. He has worked with world-class coaches: Luiz Felipe Scolari, Carlos Queiroz and José Antonio Camacho. His knowledge, expertise and savvy earned him the invitation to join the Portugal National Team coaching staff for the 2010 South Africa World Cup. Currently working with the Iran National Team who qualified for the 2014 Brazil World Cup and the 2015 Australia Asia Cup. Dan has set himself apart in the coaching profession working on four different continents. With his diverse expertise and strong interpersonal skills, he has the ability to motivate, train and educate athletes and coaches of all levels, and manage teams at every level. 

NATIONAL TEAMS • 2015 Australia Asian Cup - Iran National Team • 2014 Brazil World Cup - Iran National Team • South Africa 2010 World Cup Portugal National Team • US Women’s National Team • US Olympic Team • US Under 18 and Under 17 National Teams • South Africa National Team • Portugal National Team

PROFESSIONAL TEAMS • FC Porto, Portugal • SL Benfica, Portugal • Sporting Lisbon, Portugal • MLS New York Metrostars, Assistant Coach • A-League Connecticut Wolves, Head Coach • Japan League Grampus Eight, Assistant Coach 

COLLEGIATE COACHING • University of Hartford, Head Men’s Soccer Coach • Central Connecticut State University, Associate Head Coach 

COACHING LICENSES • U.S. Soccer Federation A License • National Soccer Coaches Association of America Advanced National Diploma • USYSA National Youth License 

HALL OF FAMER • CT State Soccer Association • University of Hartford • New England Soccer Coaches 

AUTHOR • U.S. Soccer Project 2010 Technical Consultant • Author of numerous soccer coaching articles published in regional, national and international publications. Most recently featured in the New York Times and Time Magazine.
 
Phil Gordon
Technical Director
Maryland State Youth Soccer
Phil is currently coaching with the Potomac Soccer Association. Phil played collegiately at Thomas University and professionally with the Northern Virginia Royals, Real Maryland and Crystal Palace Maryland.
 
Avram Grant
Manager
Ghana Men's National Team

Avram Grant has spent the majority of his career coaching and managing in Israel, winning a number of national league and cup victories with different teams, and also managing the Israeli national team for four years. Grant moved to England in 2006 to become Technical Director of Portsmouth before being appointed Director of football at Chelsea in July 2007. Two months later, in September 2007, following the departure of José Mourinho, Grant was appointed manager of Chelsea. Despite steering the team into the Champions League final, the League Cup final and contesting the Premier League title to the last day, his contract was terminated at the end of the season.

Grant returned to Portsmouth as Director of football in October 2009, and was made manager the following month. After the club's relegation to the Football League Championship Grant resigned and, on 3 June 2010, was appointed as manager of West Ham United a role he held up until 15 May 2011. On 13 January 2012, Avram Grant was named the new manager of Partizan Belgrade. After guiding Partizan to their fifth consecutive Serbian championship, Grant resigned on 14 May 2012. He is currently the coach of the Ghana national football team.

 
Steve Gummer
United States Development Academy Director
Charlotte Soccer Academy
Steve Gummer brings a wealth of experience … as a player and as a coach to his new position as the United States Development Academy Director of Charlotte Soccer Academy, Along with this he will act as the Club’s “Coerver Coaching Technical Director for the upcoming new club partnership with the “World’s Number 1 Soccer Skills Teaching program” Coerver –Coaching. A native of England Steve played English semi pro soccer for more than ten years, and spent fifteen months with Switzerland’s FC Vernier. He has also coached within youth academies attached to several professional clubs in England and Switzerland, Including the English FA School of Excellence, the youth academy which used to be associated to the governing body of the English Football association.
 
Jeremy Gunn
Head Coach
Stanford University Men's Soccer
In Jeremy Gunn's fourth season as Head Coach at Stanford, he led the Cardinals to National Championship.  Gunn previously served as head coach at the University of Charlotte for five seasons (2007-11), building the 49er program into a national title contender. He led Charlotte to two NCAA tournament appearances, including a run to the championship match of the 2011 College Cup before losing to top-ranked North Carolina. After the season, Gunn was named the NSCAA National Coach of the Year.  A 1993 graduate of Cal-State Bakersfield, Gunn began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater. He served on both the men's and women's coaching staffs during his seven-year stint at Bakersfield, helping the Roadrunners to the 1997 NCAA Division II National Championship and an appearance in the 1995 National Semifinal.  After leaving Cal-State Bakersfield, Gunn went to Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo., where he built the program into a Division II power. Fort Lewis advanced to three national title games and won the 2005 Division II championship with a 22-0-1 mark, earning Gunn national coach of the year honors.

Growing up in England, he was a youth player at Grimsby Town F.C. and Scunthorpe United F.C., while representing the North Region as an English schoolboy. A first team all-American at Cal-State Bakersfield, Gunn played professionally from 1993-95 with the Chico Rooks Pro Soccer Club in Chico, Calif., the North Bay Breakers in Rohnert Park, Calif.; and in 1998 with the Nashville (Tenn.) Metros and the Charleston (S.C.) Battery of what is now called the United Soccer League (formerly the A-League).
 
Megan Halmo
Tufts University
 
Chris Hamblin
Director of Coaching
New England Football Club
Chris Hamblin started as a team coach for Tri-Valley Eagles in 2003. By 2009 Hamblin had assumed responsibilities for the Senior Girls teams and worked with Club President Brian Mazar and other board members to establish NEFC. In June of 2015, Hamblin was promoted from Senior Girl's Director to club wide Director of Coaching.  Hamblin's coaching career began shortly after graduating Boston College in 2001. Hamblin became the top assistant for the BC Women's Soccer Program, helping Coach Foley build the program into a national contender. During the 2009/2010 season Hamblin served as an Assistant Coach for the Boston Breakers of the WPS and Head Coach Tony DiCicco. In 2011 Hamblin re-joined the college ranks as an Assistant Coach for the Women's Soccer Program at Harvard University. In Hamblin's four seasons on staff the Crimson have won three Ivy League Championships. Hamblin has also been involved with Region I ODP, serving as a staff coach from 2003-2011. In March, 2008 Hamblin coached the Region I U17 team in Russia. Hamblin has served as a US Soccer National Training Center Staff Coach since 2013 and In 2010, Hamblin was named Mass Youth Soccer's Girl's Competitive Coach of the Year. 
As a player Hamblin helped the Boston College Men's Soccer Team to the Big East Championship in 2000, and the first NCAA bid since 1990. Hamblin was selected as Big East Goalkeeper of the Year and as an NSCAA 1st Team All American. In 2001, Hamblin was selected as the Big East's Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Boston College honored him with the 2001 Outstanding Male Student-Athlete Award. Hamblin had a brief professional career, playing for Steve Nicol and the Boston Bulldogs during the summer of 2001.
 
Chris Hannan
Executive Vice President, Communications & Intergration
Fox Sports

In this role, Hannan oversees the FOX Sports public relations and corporate communications teams, where he is responsible for the development of key strategic communications initiatives and cross-platform efforts on behalf of FOX Sports’ portfolio of businesses.  Hannan works to ensure that FOX Sports is maximizing its communications assets across television, digital, mobile, radio and social media to support its national and local telecasts on FOX Sports, FOX Sports 1, and FOX Sports Regional Networks. 

Hannan is a 16-year veteran of FOX Sports.  Most recently, he oversaw marketing for FOX Sports Regional Networks, where he provided support for advertising sales, on-air promotions, and consumer marketing across the company’s leading group of owned-and-operated regional sports networks.  Hannan also spearheaded the integration of FOX Sports’ RSN assets in support of the successful launch of FOX Sports 1, and he was instrumental in FOX Sports’ early efforts to integrate social media within live telecasts.  Among Hannan’s most significant achievements has been the development of Fox’s Creative University program, now expanded to 20 universities.  Hannan joined FOX Sports in 1997 and has held a variety of key positions since, including vice president of on-air promotions and senior vice president of marketing.

Hannan has been honored for his work in sports media and marketing on numerous occasions. In 2012, Hannan was named to Sports Business Journal’s prestigious 40 Under 40 list.  He has also won more than 25 Promax, Telly, and Addy awards for his work with FOX Sports. 

Hannan attended Syracuse University in New York, where he graduated with a B.S. in Communications and Rhetorical Studies. He is also a member of the Syracuse University Athletic Advisory Board and serves on the After-School All-Stars Marketing Advisory Board.

 
Jim Hannesschlager
Project Officer, Mini-pitch Initiative
U.S. Soccer Foundation
Jim joined the Foundation team as a Fellow in August 2012 and assumed the role of Grants Coordinator in January 2014. He is a soccer professional that brings experience in both a technical coaching and professional management standpoint from the youth, state, collegiate, professional, and national levels of the game.  Jim has held various positions with the Arlington Soccer Association, North Texas State Soccer Association, Prince George’s Community College (NJCAA Men’s Soccer), United Soccer Leagues (Austin Lone Stars), Major League Soccer (Dallas Burn and D.C. United), and now the U.S. Soccer Foundation.  Ranging from program management to sales and marketing to coaching, Jim brings over 10 years of experience from all aspects of the game extending from the recreational youth level to the professional ranks.  He currently holds a USSF B License, a NSCAA Advanced National Diploma and a USYS National Youth License. In addition, Jim is pursuing a graduate degree at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA in Sport and Recreation Studies.
 
Laura Harvey
Head Coach
Seattle Reign FC
Recently named the NWSL Coach of the Year for the 2015 Season, Laura Harvey has been with the club since the beginning of the 2-2013 season.  From 2005-2011, Harvey served as assistant coach for the England women's national football team at the U-17, U-19 and U-23 levels. Harvey helped lead the Arsenal L.F.C. to three league titles in 2010-2012, before being named the first Seattle Reign head coach.
 
Emma Hayes
Head Coach
Chelsea Ladies FC
Emma Hayes was appointed Manager of Chelsea Ladies in June 2012, replacing Matt Beard after three years in charge. Hayes' career in management spans over a decade, earning huge plaudits after leaving her native North London for successful spells in America. Her team are current F.A Cup holders. Hayes joined W-League side the Long Island Lady Riders in 2001, for a two-year spell, which saw Hayes, the youngest female head coach in W-League in history, scoop the National Coach of the Year award in 2002. This was followed by a spell at Iona College, where Hayes scooped another individual honour, being named Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Coach of the Year in 2004, before leading her side to the 2004-2005 MAAC Conference Championships, before returning to English football in 2006. Upon her return to English football, Hayes served as Assistant First Team Coach at Arsenal Ladies, as the Gunners achieved unprecedented success, winning 11 major trophies during a three-season spell in North London, including three Women's Premier League titles, three FA Women's Cups and the UEFA Women's Cup crown. Hayes' role in the Arsenal backroom staff was combined with her position as Academy Director, overseeing the development of young players at the club, many of whom currently feature in the Women's Super League. After a trophy-laden spell in North London, Hayes headed Stateside once again in 2008, holding a series of managerial positions at clubs in the Women's Professional League, beginning with a spell at Chicago Red Stars. Her time in Chicago saw Hayes, appointed as Head Coach, assembling a squad of US internationals, as well as established European names, combined with the cream of American college soccer talent. Emma was also Director of Soccer Operations, which saw the implementation of an infrastructure, building the club into a sustainable, professional franchise, before her departure in 2010. After spells as a Coaching Consultant at Washington Freedom and Technical Director at New York Flash, Hayes returned to the UK in 2011.
 
Eddie Henderson
Technical Director
Puget Sound Premier League
Eddie holds the USSF 'A' License.  He is a past State Director of Coaching for Kansas and Nevada and has been a Director of Coaching for multiple clubs.  His most recent job as Technical Director for Heat FC combined with his past experiences earned him the promotion of Academy Director for the Puget Sound Premier League in 2014.  As a player, Henderson made appearances with the U-17, U-18, and U-20 US Youth National Teams.  He played for the University of Washington from 1985-1990.  He also played eight years in the National Premier Soccer League.  
 
Paula Hildman
State Referee Administrator
Minnesota Youth Soccer Association
 
Stuart Holden
Founder, Former USMNT Player
Helm Soccer, United States

Stuart Alistair Holden (born August 1st, 1985) is a USA International and most recently a member of Bolton Wanderers in England. He has represented his country 25 times scoring 3 goals. Holden made a name for himself in the U.S. youth ranks before earning his first call-up to the full national team in 2008. He represented the United States in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and scored the opening goal in a 1-0 win vs Japan. In the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup, he was selected to the Gold Cup All-Tournament Team. Holden was a part of the 23-man roster for the U.S. National Team during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and played as a substitute in the opening 1–1 draw with England. Despite being hampered by several serious injuries, Holden made his return to the U.S. Men’s National Team for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He played in the final, with the U.S. taking the title, but it was later revealed that Holden had suffered a torn ACL in his knee.
On the club level, Holden played with top clubs in the Barclays Premier League, beginning with Sunderland in 2005. He returned home to play for the Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer on January 1st, 2006. He led the team to back-to-back MLS Cup Championships in 2006 and 2007, scoring a penalty in the 2006 Final. An MLS All-Star and MLS Best XI in 2009, Holden moved to England to play for Bolton Wanderers on January 1st, 2010. He made several appearances with the club leading them to a seventh-place finish in 2011 and the FA Cup semifinals. In his first season at Bolton Wanderers, Holden was voted by “The Guardian” readers as the best player in the premier league at the halfway point.
Off the field, Holden founded Holden’s Heroes in 2006, a charity dedicated to bettering the lives of children with cancer. He partnered with Texas Children’s Hospital, making regular visits with the children and hosted a large number of fundraisers for them and their families.

 
Bobby Howe
Director of Coaching
Emerald City F.C.
Howe originally played for West Ham United F.C. youth system before progressing through their ranks and appearing in the first team at the age of 21 in 1966. He played at Upton Park until 1971 when he switched to A.F.C. Bournemouth. He played there until his retirement from league football in 1973. Howe came out of retirement in 1977 to become the player/coach of the Seattle Sounders in the NASL where he played until 1983. After his playing days were over, Howe became the coach of the United States U-20 men's national soccer team at the 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship and later went on to become the coach of the Portland Timbers from 2001-05. Howe was also in charge of the "Education of Coaches " for the US Soccer Federation. He wrote the preface for " The official playing and coaching manual of the United States Soccer Federation". Howe also had a short stint with the Saint Kitts and Nevis national football team towards the end of 2012 in a consultancy role.

 

 
Dr. Sheri Huckleberry
Professor
Ohio University
Huckleberry is the NSCAA State Director in Ohio. She has taught many NSCAA coaching courses, including the National Diploma. Her desire to educate coaches arose from witnessing poor coaching and being given opportunity to be the NSCAA State Director for Iowa in the early 90s. She is the currently working at Ohio University as a program coordinator for their coaching education masters program. Sheri is responsible for advising and teaching a variety of classes to graduate students at Ohio University. As a doctoral candidate, her area of study is in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Educational Studies and emphasis in Coaching Education. Sheri’s coaching career began in 1997 when she helped develop the women’s soccer program at Ohio University. During their second season in 1998, the Bobcats were crowned MAC champions. Over the next 10 years, Sheri continued coaching as an assistant at Ball State University and the University of Iowa before coming the Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Marist College. Huckleberry played collegiate soccer at the University of Connecticut, helping the team to a Top-5 ranking, one Final Four appearance, three Elite 8 appearances and a Big East Championships. After college, she played in the English premiership league for Wembly FC, which competed in the FA Cup Final in the spring of 1997, and also played semi-professionally in the United States.
 
Schellas Hyndman
Head Coach
Grand Canyon University
Some of Hyndman's biggest achievements include being inducted into the Southern Methodist University Hall of Fame in 2015 and being named MLS Coach of the Year in 2010.  In 2007, Hyndman was enshrined into the Walk of Fame at Toyota Stadium, an honor given to those who have made significant contributions to the sport of soccer in Texas. He is also a former President, Senior Staff Coach, and Director of Coaching Emeritus of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (2005). He received the 2007 Mike Berticelli "Excellence in Coaching Education Award from the NSCAA as well.  Before joining FC Dallas for five years in 2008, Hyndman spent 31 seasons as a college head coach, including 24 at nearby SMU. Hyndman ranks fifth all-time in victories among Division I coaches, posting an all-time college record of 466-122-49, which includes a record of 368-98-38 at SMU and 98-24-11 at Eastern Illinois University, where he was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. In 31 years as coach, he led his schools to 30 NCAA playoff appearances, 11 quarter finals and five final fours (three in Division I, two in Division II).  He was also named the 1981 "National Coach of the Year".
 
Erik Imler
Former College and U17 USMNT Assistant
Kwik Goal
Erik Imler is currently the Southeast Territory Manager at Kwik Goal. Previously, Imler was an Assistant Soccer Coach at University of Kentucky and was an Assistant Coach for the US Soccer U17 MNT Residency Program at University of Kentucky.
 
Brett Jacobs
Head Coach
Clark College (WA)
Brett Jacobs is the new head men's soccer coach for the Penguins. Coach Jacobs joined the Penguins with an impressive resume and elite coaching background.  

A USSF 'A' licensed soccer coach, Brett also has a diverse knowledge of the US Soccer system from youth to college and MLS, and he has over twenty years of domestic and international experience as a coach and player. Educated in all aspects of player development, coach education and organizational management, he has put this knowledge into practice at multiple levels of the professional pyramid with great success. His leadership and ability to lead, while inspiring players and coaches to perform to their maximum potential within the framework of a system has resulted in two National Championships and an MLS Cup.  His coaching experience includes four years as an assistant coach in Major League Soccer with the Colorado Rapids, winning the MLS Cup in 2010. Additional coaching stints include:  in the United Soccer Leagues as coach of the Michigan Bucks, winning the national championship in 2006 and losing in the championship game in 2007; coach at the University of West Florida; and also as a full time academy coach for Wimbledon Football Club in London, England. He is a national staff instructor with US Soccer and the head regional coach for US Youth Soccer Region 4.  Brett has also served as the Broadcasting Match Analyst for the Portland Timbers.

In addition to his USSF 'A' license and UEFA "B" license, Coach Jacobs is currently earning his UEFA 'A' license. He has already secured his NSCAA Premier Diploma, NSCAA Advanced National diploma, and USSF National Youth license.

 
Mike Jacobs
NSCAA President, Assistant Technical Director
Sporting Kansas City
Mike Jacobs is currently President of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) after a three-year stint as Vice President of the world’s largest soccer coaches organization. Prior to joining Sporting Kansas City, Jacobs was the Executive Vice President and Technical Director of the United Soccer League (USL), providing strategic direction for the organization at all levels. Jacobs has vast experience in American soccer having spent four years as an assistant coach at Duke University before accepting the head coaching role at the University of Evansville. In 2004, Jacobs was named the National Assistant Coach of the Year during a season in which his Blue Devils advanced to the College Cup. While at Evansville, the Purple Aces posted a 71-69-8 record and were Missouri Valley Conference Tournament runners-up in 2009.

 

 
Lynn Kachmarik
Founder and Director
TRUE BRAND SPORTS LLC
Lynn Kachmarik has been an NCAA DI Coach for 18 years at Bucknell University, NCAA Athletic Director and a Vice President and GM for a Minor League Baseball Team.  Over 45+ years of coaching experience as an age group, high school, collegiate an assistant USA National Water Polo Coach.  Member/captain of the USA Women's National Water Polo Team where she competed in 4 Aquatic World Championships, 8 World Cups and many years of international competitions. Board of Directors for USA Water Polo where she wrote Code of Conducts for coaches, athletes, officials and parents. Travel the world doing workshops for coaches, parents and students at the youth, high school and collegiate level on character coaching, leadership, grit, caring and so much more. Inducted into 6 Athletic Hall of Fames such as the USA, Collegiate Coach as well as Bucknell University’s Athletic Hall of Fames.
 
Charlie Kadpuski
 
Markku Kanerva
Head Coach
Finland National Team
 
Paul "Whitey" Kapsalis
Former Player/Author
Indiana University
Paul “Whitey” Kapsalis is a former soccer player at Indiana University in the mid-80’s, where he went from walk-on to Team Captain in his 4 ½ year journey.  He is a motivational speaker, author and sales representative in the apparel industry and volunteer youth soccer coach who, in working with people of all ages, inspires them to reach for their goals every day. In addition, Whitey is a Youth Minister and Eucharistic Minister and serves as Chairman of the Bigelow-Brand Charity Advisory Board of the Pancreatic Cyst & Cancer Early Detection Center. He owned and built a soccer specialty retail business that US Soccer ranked number one in the country. Was recognized by the Indianapolis Business Journal’s “40 under 40” for his positive contributions to business and community, Whitey also is a winner of the Indiana Youth Soccer President’s Award. As a volunteer of many organizations, he was awarded the Indiana Sports Corporation Volunteer of the Year Award in 2010.  He lives in Fishers, Ind., with his wife and three children.
 
Tommi Kautonen
Finnish FA

Tommi "Auge" Kautonen (born 24 December 1971 in LahtiFinland) is a Finnish football manager and former player (midfielder). He is currently the head coach of Finland national under-21 football teamAs a player Kautonen played for Reipas LahtiFC HakaMyPaVaasan Palloseura and FC LahtiHe is the only player who played in every Veikkausliiga season since its beginning to the season 2006. Kautonen made his debut in highest tier on 1 October 1989 in a match between Reipas and Kemin Palloseura. He ended his career in match between FC Lahti and KooTeePee on 29 October 2006. Kautonen played total of 377 league matches and scored 21 goals. In 1999 he won the Finnish League Cup with Vaasan Palloseura. In 2004 he was chosen the best midfielder in Veikkausliiga. Kautonen has nine caps in Finnish national football team. He has also played 27 youth internationals.

 
Lee Kendall
Goalkeeper Coach
England WNT
Lee Kendall is currently the England Women's National Team Goalkeeper Coach. Kendall previously worked as the First team Goalkeeper Coach for the Bristol City Football Club, National U21 Goalkeeper Coach for the Football Association of Wales, Head of Academy Goalkeeping for Cardiff City FC, and was Head of Academy Goalkeeping at Sheffield United Football Club Limited.
 
Dr. Michael Khadavi
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Carondelet Orthopaedic Surgeons

After completing medical school at Kansas University and Residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Missouri, he pursued a fellowship in Sports Medicine at Stanford University. He is Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with an extra Certification in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, Interventional Spine, and Running Medicine. Dr. Khadavi emphasizes comprehensive, non-operative care of musculoskeletal conditions from "head to toe."

He also subspecializes in the care of runners, focusing on the biomechanics of running to return his runners to the pavement as quickly and safely as possible. Dr. Khadavi is the Medical Director of the Sports and Running Medicine Clinic at Carondelet Orthopaedic Surgeons, and has implemented a running injury and prevention program called RunSafe. He will holistically treat your injuries as quickly as possible to keep you active!

 
Roch King
PCA Trainer
 
Dr. Stacy King
Doctor of Physical Therapy & Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
Aspire PT & Wellness
Aspire PT & Wellness is owned and operated by Stacy E. King, PT, DPT, OCS, CIMT, CSCS.

After fourteen years of practice in the DC Metro area, Dr. Stacy King is incorporating her experience and knowledge to develop a practice that is fully focused on the specific needs of each patient. Taking the time to listen to her patients, performing a thorough evaluation and addressing all the components that could be leading to the pain is what sets her apart. She understands that with high quality rehabilitation and state of the art prevention, individuals can lead pain free, healthy and active lifestyles.

Stacy King received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Montana, and is a nationally recognized expert in injury prevention in adolescent athletes. A former Terrapin scholarship gymnast, Dr. King received her degree in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland in 1993. She became a personal trainer focusing on post rehabilitation and prehabilitation training before heading on to graduate school where she completed her MS in Physical Therapy at Marymount University. She went on to obtain her Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) from the American Physical Therapy Association in 2012 which designates her as an advanced clinician in orthopedic physical therapy. She has worked as a Pilates instructor for Cirque De Soleil’s Totem (2012) and Amaluna (2014), Washington DC and has served on a panel of experts in the area of youth injury and injury prevention. She consults regularly to parents and coaches about adolescent sports injuries and physical therapy. Dr. King’s clinical focus is to help all individuals receive the most advanced clinical care possible with a special interest in adolescent athletes and injury prevention in the Washington, DC area.
 
Dr. Ajit Korgaokar
Assistant Professor for Health & Human Performance
University of Tennessee-Martin
Ajit Korgaokar, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Health & Human Performance department at the University of Tennessee at Martin and the Director of Coaching for Jackson Futbol Club in Tennessee. He has presented and published research on dynamic stretching, caffeine supplementation and agility, and the relative age effect among youth soccer players. He is the Chair of Coaching Education of the Sport & Leisure Division of Southern District AAHPERD. In addition, Ajit has worked in the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program for Tennessee, North Carolina and Alabama, is a previous member of the US Youth Soccer ODP Region III staff, and is a former state Director of Coaching for Tennessee. He is currently a member of the Tennessee Soccer Coaching Education staff and teaches the ‘E’ and ‘D’ licenses. Ajit played at Rollins College and also played for the Orlando Lions (ASL) and Colorado Comets (USISL). He has also been a former college assistant coach and a head coach in the PDL. He holds the USSF ‘A’, NSCAA Premier, NSCAA Director of Coaching and the USSF Youth National License coaching qualifications.
 
Dean Koski
Men's Head Coach
Lehigh University

The 2015 season marks Dean Koski’s 24th season as head coach of the Lehigh’s men’s soccer program. Since taking over the program in 1991, Koski, the 15th coach in school history, has guided the Mountain Hawks to a Patriot League regular season championship in 2006, a Patriot League Tournament championship in 2000, three NCAA tournament appearances and eleven Mid-Atlantic Region Top 10 rankings. He has helped to develop 39 All-Patriot League first team players, and 35 second team players. In addition, four players, Andrew Mittendorf, Kevin Jackson, Adam Williamson and most recently Adam Welch, were drafted by MLS franchises and three, Evan Bruno, John O’Reilly and Joe Verdi, were named All-Americans.

 
Ted Kroeten
Artistic Director
Joy of the People
Ted is Architect of some of the most innovative and successful youth training programs. Innovations include the introduction of Futsal as a youth training tool, club wide comprehensive performance training, and individualized skill assessment and tracking programs. Ted is nationally recognized for his developmental soccer philosophy and method. His programs have developed hundreds of skillful, imaginative players with the philosophy of building the love of the game from the inside out. Ted is an "A" licensed coach with the highest coaching certificates from the US and Brazil.
 
Laurie Lane
Executive Director
Potomac Soccer Association
After retiring from a classical music career as a soprano soloist, Laurie Lane decided to focus on her children and get involved with the sport they loved, as a soccer administrator. Combining her experience as a firm law firm administrator and a team manager, she began her soccer career as the Executive Assistant at Montgomery Soccer Inc., where she assisted in the day-to-day operations of one of the largest soccer clubs in the country.

Lane along with her husband founded Red Raider Softball, the largest fast pitch softball organization in Maryland and serves as a Board Member Emeritus. She assists with their athletic facility, Raider’s Edge, as the Director of Business Development. She has also served as a PTA President and Executive Committee for Clarksburg High School Booster Club. She also produced the Montgomery County Public Schools original program, Quizmaster Challenge. She is Google AdWords Certified and is working on completing PMP certification.

Lane moved to Potomac Soccer Association in 2008 and served on the Board of Directors taking an active role with the USSF Development Academy, Washington Area Girls Soccer League, National Capital Soccer League, US Club Soccer as well as the top-rated Boy’s College Showcase, Potomac Memorial Day Tournament, which attracts hundreds of teams from all over the country. Lane officially took over operations of the club in 2013.

Lane is an avid supporter of local professional sports teams, especially, the Washington Spirit and DC United where she has recently been seen singing the National Anthem. 
 
Nicole M. LaVoi, PH.D.
Professor
University of Minnesota
Nicole M. LaVoi, Ph.D. is faculty in the School of Kinesiology at the University of Minnesota, and is the Associate Director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport. Generally, Dr. LaVoi’s research falls within the social psychology of sports where she answers critical questions that can make a difference in the lives of sport stakeholders—particularly girls and women. LaVoi’s research focuses on the effect of adult sideline behaviors in youth sport, barriers experienced by female coaches including the Women in College Coaching Research Series and Report Card, and media representations of females in sport. She has co-produced two documentaries on women in sport including the 2014 Regional Emmy Winner for best Sports Documentary titled “Media Coverage & Female Athletes: Women Play Sport Just Not on TV” and serves on the national advisory boards for the Women’s Sport Foundation, espnW and the Alliance of Women Coaches. LaVoi played collegiate tennis at Gustavus Adolphus College where her team won the NCAA-III National Championships in 1990, and she was a two-time Academic All-American. As a public scholar LaVoi writes a blog, One Sport Voice: A Critical Commentary on All Things Sport which can be accessed atwww.nicolemlavoi.com.  @DrSportPsych
 
Dr. Desmond Lawless
Assistant Professor of Health, Physical Education, and Sport Studies
Shepherd University

Lawless attended West Sussex Institute on Higher Education in Sussex, England, where he would graduate with honors. Lawless traveled to the Bahamas to pursue a teaching career. While teaching under the sun, he was selected to play for the Bahamas Olympic Soccer team at the Central American and Caribbean Games held in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
After five years in the Bahamas, Lawless landed the head position at the British International School. While coaching, Lawless developed contacts in the U.S. and decided to pursue a master's degree at the University of Wisconsin - Stout after three years in Ethiopia. Upon graduation, Lawless was contacted by then third-year head men's soccer coach Brian Haley and Athletic Director John Hill. With the Heidelberg women coming off of their first OAC championship season in 1990, Lawless enthusiastically signed on.
In his tenure, Lawless and the Heidelberg women claimed four OAC regular-season championships, five OAC tournament titles and made two NCAA Tournament appearances. He coached 16 All-OAC performers, four academic All-OAC selections, nine All-Americans and seven All-Ohio performers. Lawless mentored three OAC Player of the Year award winners, two Clyde Lamb Award recipients and one NCAA Woman of the Year honoree in Lynne Kraemer.
Lawless owns a career record of 106-30-2 and an astonishing OAC record of 56-7-0 in his seven years. His OAC winning percentage stands at .889 while his overall winning percentage rests at .775, making him one of the winningest Heidelberg coaches of all time. Lawless capped off his career with two consecutive OAC Coach of the Year honors in 1994 and 1995 and an Ohio Coach of the Year.

 
Brett Ledbetter
Founder, Lead Instructor
Ledbetter Academy
Brett is the creator of Ballstride Footwork System and founder of FilmRoomTV.com. He personally conducted over 160 video interviews with professional athletes, championship coaches, and leading researchers. He is also the creator of the CPR development model (Character>Process>Results). Brett has given two Tedx Talks and speaks at coaching clinics across the country. In 2014, Brett started working with the University of Florida developing a coaching collaboration program to learn how character development fits into the most pressurized environment where winning matters most. He is also collaborating with multiple teams installing the CPR model.
 
Dr. Lawrence J. Lemak
Founder
Lemak Sports Medicine & Orthopedics

Dr. Lawrence Lemak is the Founder of Lemak Sports Medicine & Orthopedics—a center of excellence in orthopedic surgery with expertise in all areas of orthopedics and primary care sports medicine. Dr. Lemak devotes his practice to sports medicine and knee replacements and is a nationally recognized leader in his field. With vast experience in sports medicine and his passion for the safety of athletes at every level of participation, Dr. Lemak serves as a member of the Medical Advisory Boards of Pop Warner Football, USA Football, and the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA)—sharing his knowledge and lending his expertise to these organizations. Dr. Lemak founded the National Center for Sports Safety (NCSS) in 2001 after identifying a need to decrease the number and severity of injuries to youth, recreation, and high school athletes. The NCSS educates youth and high school coaches on the prevention and care of athletic injuries and has educated over 20,000 coaches since its inception.
Dr. Lemak’s devotion to sports medicine led him to found and chair the Alabama Sports Foundation in 1996—bringing the highest level of sports competition to Birmingham, Alabama. In addition, he was a founder of the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI), a research and education institute for sports medicine, which has produced volumes of research for sports medicine and has educated over 250 orthopedic surgeons and family practitioners in sports medicine.
As the Medical Director of NFL’s Europe League for over 15 years and presently serving as the Medical Director of the United Football League, Dr. Lemak has cared for over 2,000 professional football players. In addition, he has been the Medical Director for Major League Soccer for 17 years. Not only does he treat professional athletes, he is also the team physician for many high schools and colleges in Alabama.
He serves as a Medical Advisor to more than 10 orthopedic medical companies and is the Orthopedic Medical Director for Community Health Systems (CHS).
After Dr. Lemak brought the 1996 Olympic Soccer Games to Birmingham, along with many other sports medicine endeavors in the community, he was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame with the Distinguished Sportsman Award in 1997. Dr. Lemak was the first physician to be inducted into the AHSAA Hall of Fame for his devotion to the care and safety of high school athletes in the State of Alabama. He is the recipient of numerous awards for service to the community such as: the “Outstanding Alabamian Award” (proclaimed Dr. Lawrence Lemak Day) and “Businessman of the Year.” In addition, the Florida Athletic Trainers Association named Dr. Lemak “Person of the Year” in 2006. Dr. Lemak has also served as chairman of Orthopedic Surgery at USF from 2004-2008.
Dr. Lemak is a graduate of The University of Alabama Medical School and completed his residency at The University of Pittsburgh. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) and the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA).

 
Bert Leonard
Video Coach
Atlanta Silverbacks

Leonard, a native Atlantan, grew up playing youth soccer in Atlanta for Genesis Soccer Club.  During his college career, Leonard played at University of Hartford and Georgia State University. At Georgia State, Leonard received his BA in British Literature and is certified to teach Language Arts.  Leonard has worked with the Atlanta Fire United Soccer Association and Roswell Santos Soccer Club, where he was a director for the U-11 Girls Academy program.  While previously serving as assistant coach at Southern Polytechnic State University, Leonard has also taken coaching internships in Norway, England, Holland, and Costa Rica.  Leonard is also the CEO of Interplay-Sports, USA, a video analysis software company that is currently being used by the Silverbacks and teams throughout Europe. This software provides players with video and analysis to individualize practice to provide players with top quality training.

 
Jim Liston
Director, Sport Science
Toronto FC

Jim Liston enters his second season as the Director, Sport Science for Toronto FC. He joined the team on August 31, 2014. Liston previously worked with the Kia Toronto FC Academy at the start of the 2014 season.
Liston brings a highly distinguished work history that involves time as strength and conditioning coach with three MLS clubs, LA Galaxy, Columbus Crew and Chivas USA. He is also the founder and president of CATZ (Competitive Athlete Training Zone) where he developed an entire curriculum and coaches training program. Liston is launching a new department within Toronto FC as he focuses on sport science innovation and helping athletes reach their highest potential.

 
Dr. Sam Lloyd
Director of Business Development
Hudl

Sam has a PhD in investigating the effects of video and data on athlete development from Loughborough University in the UK. Over the last 10 years Sam has worked with a number of National Teams and EPL academies to utilise video as a vehicle for learning and development. Sam now leads the Soccer department at Hudl and oversees how the company works with Elite, Amateur and Grassroots football clubs.

 
Gregory Love
Attorney
Love & Norris
 
Jill Loyden
Goalkeeper
Sky Blue FC
Jillian Loyden has become one of the best goalkeepers in the world despite suffering personal tragedy and untimely injuries. Ms. Loyden did not follow the traditional ascension through our national youth soccer development programs. She defied the odds when at the age of 24 she became a member of the senior U.S. Women’s national team. She has been a member of the U.S. Women’s national team for the last 4 years and is a current member of the NWSL Sky Blue FC. Ms. Loyden has a mentality as an underdog, and this combined with her positive attitude and a relentless fight, has allowed her to overcome life’s adversity. Unofficially called “the people’s keeper,” Ms. Loyden approaches life with a smile, a commitment and a daily mission to helping others by infusing in them the mentality that she follows… anything is possible and you always find a way to survive.
 
Dr. Scott R. Luallin
Board Certified Orthapaedic Surgery
Carondelet Orthapaedic Surgeons
Education: University of Kansas School of Medicine, MD 1988 Internship/Residency 1988-1993 - University of Kansas School of Medicine Fellowship 1993-1994, Sports Medicine - Harvard/ Massachusetts General Hospital He is the head of the medical team for the Sporting Kansas City soccer team (formerly the Kansas City Wizards). He has been with the team since the inaugural season in 1996. Professional interests include sports medicine, total joint arthroplasty and general orthopaedic surgery He also performs Carticel® (autologous cultured chondrocytes) implantation surgery of the knee. This treatment uses the patient’s own cells to repair cartilage injuries in the knee. To learn more about Carticel please contact our office. Outside the office Dr. Luallin enjoys spending time with his family, golfing and traveling. He is an exercise enthusiast.
 
John Madding
CEO & Technical Director
Oregon Youth Soccer Association
John Madding currently serves as the CEO & Technical Director for the Oregon Youth Soccer Association and as the Director of Coaching Education and Recreational Development for the Portland Timbers.  Over the past 15 years he has been involved at all levels of the youth game throughout  the United States.  He has served as a state technical director and as in various managerial roles within youth soccer clubs.  Mr. Madding holds the US Soccer “A” License, US Soccer National Youth License, the NSCAA Premier Diploma, and the NSCAA Advanced Director of Coaching Diploma.
 
Dr. Tasha Malhotra

Tasha is the co-founder of Pediatric Therapy Specialists, a private pediatric therapy clinic established in 2001 in Fairfax, Va.  She has been a practicing occupational therapist for 20 years and has dedicated her career to providing children the tools to be successful in life. She received her Doctor of Occupational Therapy at University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences and her M.S. in Occupational Therapy at Shenandoah University.  Tasha has extensive experience in utilizing Sensory Integration (SI) to promote function and independence in children with poor sensory regulation, developmental delays, and neurological disorders.  She has experience working with diverse pediatric populations in a variety of clinical settings in addition to the private clinic setting.  Tasha has also worked in private schools developing programs for effective implementation of OT services.  These programs meet the needs of the students in accessing their physical environment when engaging in recess and desired group sports.  She has teamed with physical therapy to develop and run groups in the clinic setting to teach kids basic, fundamental sports skills that can be applied to various sports activities such as t-ball, basketball, and soccer through offering sensory experiences to enhance sensory processing.

 
Heather Manning
Research Associate
George Washington University
Heather holds a Masters in Exercise Science from George Washington University.  She has been a Research Associate for one and a half years.  Prior to that, she has many years of experience in personal training.
 
Paul Marco
Head Coach
Binghamton University
Paul Marco completed his 13th season as the head soccer coach at Binghamton University in 2014. Under his guidance, the Bearcats have been transformed from a team that won just two games the year before his arrival into an established program that has become a fixture on the conference, regional and national scene. Before Binghampton, Marco spent 9yrs at West Virginia University. Marco has also been a member of the NSCAA national staff for 20 years.
 
Peter Mariahazy
Treasurer
US Youth Soccer
 
Jay Martin
Men's Soccer Head Coach
Ohio Wesleyan University
Martin is the winningest coach in college men's soccer history with a total of 657 wins. He has guided his 38 Battling Bishop soccer teams to a 657-124-61 record.  His career winning percentage of .817 entering the 2015 season ranks seventh all-time.  In 38 seasons, Martin's teams have compiled a 242-23-15 record in conference play, a winning percentage of .891, and have won 26 conference crowns.  In 2011, Martin guided Ohio Wesleyan to its second NCAA Division III national championship.  Along the way, the Bishops extended their unbeaten string in NCAC competition to a league-record 40 games.  Another peak in Martin's already-illustrious coaching career came when he guided the Battling Bishops to the 1998 NCAA Division III championship.  His teams have reached the NCAA Division III semifinals 9 times, finishing as national runner-up twice in addition to the 1998 and 2011 titles. They have brought home 12 regional titles, including 9 in the last 15 seasons that the NCAA tournament included a regional format. Ohio Wesleyan holds the NCAA Division III record with 37 playoff appearances and has recorded 61 playoff victories.  He has been the NCAA Regional Coach of the Year 16 times in his 38 years at Ohio Wesleyan and was named NSCAA national Coach of the Year in 1991, 1998, and 2011. In 2000, Martin received the Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association's Honor Award, only the fourth time that award was bestowed since the association’s founding in 1949. He received the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's Honor Award in 2007.  Under Martin's guidance, Ohio Wesleyan was the winningest men's soccer team in the NCAA -- regardless of division -- during the 1980s.
Beyond coaching, Martin also has served soccer with a term as president of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America as well as a 6-year stint on the NCAA Division III selection committee, including 4 years as committee chair. He has been a color analyst of the Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew for 9 seasons. In addition, he took over as editor of the NSCAA's The Soccer Journal in January, 2003, becoming the publication's third editor since its establishment in 1950.
Martin is a professor in Ohio Wesleyan's physical education department and served as the Battling Bishops' athletics director from 1985-2004. During his 19 years as athletics director, Ohio Wesleyan intercollegiate athletics enjoyed unprecedented success. Ohio Wesleyan won a conference-record 6 consecutive NCAC all-sports championships from 1988-94. More recently, the Battling Bishops finished in the top 25 of the NACDA Directors Cup NCAA Division III standings in 6 of the last 8 academic years under Martin's leadership.
Prior to joining the Ohio Wesleyan faculty, Martin served as a 2-sport assistant at The Ohio State University, from which he received both M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. Earlier, he was director of sport at the Munich, Germany, YMCA, coaching soccer, volleyball, basketball and lacrosse; and athletics director at the American International School at Dusseldorf.
A native of Hingham, Mass., Martin received his B.A. degree from Springfield College in 1971. He lettered in soccer and lacrosse, earning All-America laurels in the latter. In Germany, he also played soccer for the Kaiserwerth Club, played professional basketball and served on the staff of the Volleyball Pavilion at the 1972 Olympics.
 
Ian McMahon
National Executive Director
AYSO
 
Willie McNab
Soccer Academy Manager
Celtic Football Club

Willie is a proactive coach and manager within Youth Football, spanning over 15 years, incorporating extensive experience coaching within Elite Academies and Development Programs across Scotland. Willie is currently in his 9th season with Celtic FC, where he holds the position of the International Soccer Academy Manager for the club as well as being the coach of the Academy U14’s team and Development Center Manager and Coach for Central Scotland. Willie previously held Youth Academy Coaching positions at Hibernian FC and Heart Of Midlothian FC as well as being a Football Development Officer with the Scottish FA. He currently holds the UEFA A Licence, Scottish FA Advanced Youth Licence and Scottish FA Advanced Children’s Licence and can deliver Scottish FA Coach education courses up to Level 1.3. Willie is making his second appearance at the NSCAA Convention, having being a clinician in 2015  in Philadelphia and recently delivered at the inaugural Pacific Soccer Coaching Conference in Vancouver.

 
Mary McVeigh
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Soccer Without Borders
Mary McVeigh is the Co-Founder & Executive Director of Soccer Without Borders and a former NSCAA All-American from Dartmouth. McVeigh joined SWB from the college coaching and professional ranks, earning her Master's degree in Sociology from Lehigh University while serving four seasons as an assistant coach in the Lehigh Women's Varsity Soccer program. Subsequently, she returned to her Alma Mater, Dartmouth College, as an Assistant Coach. As a player, Mary earned All-America and Scholar All-America honors in 2002, before heading to the professional field as the seventh overall draft pick for the Philadelphia Charge of the WUSA. In 2012, Mary was honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's Jerry Yeagley Award for Personal Service for her work with SWB.
 
Carlos Menjivar
Competitive Director of Coaching
California Youth Soccer-North

Born in San Salvador, El Salvador, Carlos Menjivar played professionally for Adler FC from 1966 to 1970, and was part of the 1969 U23 National Team. In May of 1970, Menjivar immigrated to the United States with his parents.  Menjivar’s coaching career began in 1980 in the San Francisco Major Division.  There he led the El Salvador Athletic Club to the its first ever championship. He was awarded his U.S.S.F. National “A” license in 1987, and has continued coaching education in Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Scotland, England, France, etc. Throughout his career, Menjivar has demonstrated the ability to coach and educate regardless of age, ability level, experience and physical challenge.

 
Thom Meredith
Executive Director
Connecticut Junior Soccer Association
 
Will Metzger
CEO
AT PEAK Sports
 
Rene Meulensteen
Founder, Former First Team Coach
Meulensteen Method, Manchester United

Rene Meulensteen has built a reputation for developing technical players and his journey led him to coaching functions at Al-Ghrafa, Al-Sadd (both Qatar), Brondby (Sweden), Manchester United (England), and all too briefly Anzhi Makhachkala (Russia) and Fulham competing in the English Premier League.  After an eight year stay in the Middle East where he worked hand in hand with the late Wiel Coerver, Rene joined Manchester United’s Youth Academy program as Skill Development Officer in 2001.  Rene was promoted to First-team Coach of Manchester United in 2008.  During his time as First-team Coach, he helped Sir Alex Ferguson secure the Premier League title in 2008-09, 2010-11, and 2012-13; the Community Shield in 2008, 2010, 2011, the League Cup in 2008-09 and 2009-10; the UEFA Champions League in 2007-08 and FIFA World Cup in 2008.  Manchester United confirmed his departure from the club on June 26, 2013, after incoming manager David Moyes decided to bring in his own coaching team.  Since then, Rene has had coaching stints at Russian Premier League outfit FC Anzhi Makhachkala, and at the EPL with Fulham.  He also held a role as consultant at MLS Philadephia Union in 2014-2015.

 
Karen Mihara
Manager of Safe Haven
American Youth Soccer Organization
Karen Mihara has been with AYSO since 2008 and has held the position of National Safe Haven Program Administrator since 2010. During this time she has worked to integrate standards for safe interactions with children and injury prevention into AYSO’s volunteer curriculum. Starting in 2015, Karen took on the role of being AYSO’s Business Solutions, Safe Haven and Special Projects Manager. 
 
Ian Mulliner
Technical Director
Massachusetts Youth Soccer
Before coming to Massachusetts Youth Soccer, Ian Mulliner served as the Director of Coaching of Illinois Youth Soccer Association for more than 10 years. Originally from Manchester, England, Ian has been coaching in the United States since 1992. He coached at St. Charles Soccer Club, Wheaton Whigs SC, and founded and was Director of Coaching for Northwest United Soccer Club. As the Illinois Youth Soccer Director of Coaching, Ian was responsible for growth in the association’s Coaching Education Program and developed the coaching curriculum for the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program in Illinois. He was also responsible for developing a coaching curriculum for Illinois Youth Soccer’s Inner-city program. He has been involved as an instructor on US Youth Soccer and U.S. Soccer national coaching courses and is a vocal proponent of professional coaching development. Ian has served as the US Youth Soccer Region II Coaching Committee Chairman and a member of the National Coaching Committee for US Youth Soccer. He has served as the US Youth Soccer ODP Region II Development Age Head Coach and also as a Staff Coach on both the Boys’ and the Girls’ programs. He holds the USSF ‘A’ License and National Youth License, FIFA Futuro III certificate, F.A. Preliminary Coaching Award, as well as the Dutch KNVB Coach’s License.
 
Kathryn Nagy
Girls' Program Director
Soccer Without Borders Oakland
Katy Nagy is the Girls' Program Director for Soccer Without Borders Oakland, the organization's largest and most veteran program in the USA. Katy coaches and oversees SWB Oakland's girls teams, which offer weekly practices, games, educational support, team-building, and language development to refugee, asylee, and immigrant girls from more than 20 different countries. In addition, to her direct service work, Katy wears a number of different hats for SWB, including serving as the primary liaison to SWB Uganda, grant-writing, and communications. Originally from Bellmore, NY, Katy was a co-captain at Villanova University during her playing days, graduating with a B.A. in marketing and international business. Katy joined SWB in 2013 as a Team Leader in Uganda, returning to the USA and SWB Oakland in 2014. She was named the Girls' Program Director of SWB Oakland in 2015. 
 
Justin Neese
Soccer Programs Manager
Houston Dynamo
 
Jason Neumann
VP Division Finance Manager, State Director & National Staff
BBVA Compass, NSCAA

Jason Neumann has worked and continues to work in many different areas of sport and business.  His current role is Vice President Division Finance Manager for BBVA Compass, who he has been with for 11 years.  As a State Director for the NSCAA, Neumann oversees Alabama and Mississippi.  He is also a member of the NSCAA National Staff and has been coaching in soccer for over 20 years.  Since 1996, Jason has also been the Gameday Promotions Field Manager for the Philadelphia Eagles.


 
David Newbery
eLearning Coordinator
NSCAA
David developed the club assessment process in 2008 called the Youth Soccer Assessment Tool (Y-SAT) and was appointed to lead the NSCAA Club Standards Project in January 2012. David and former USA Women’s National Team Coach, Tony DiCicco, are partners in a soccer consultation business, SoccerPlus FC, supporting volunteer based youth programs to become more serious about player and coach development. David contributes articles regularly to soccer publications, has written books focusing on player and coach development and presents at national soccer events. In his spare time David operates a youth soccer program for players age 3 to 8 in Stonington, CT.
 
Ruth Nicholson
Principal
Nicholson Facilitation & Associates, LLC
Ruth E. Nicholson, MPA, CPF is the Principal of Nicholson Facilitation & Associates, LLC, a woman-owned consultancy offering services in organizational development, facilitation, conflict resolution, training, and professional assessment in North America, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Europe. The firm’s Youth Sports Services are a collaboration of sports professionals who provide training and custom consulting, which strengthens club operations and enhances coaching effectiveness to enable clubs and coaches to devote more time to their players. Ruth is an internationally certified facilitator and instructor who has worked in soccer governance and administration for over 25 years. She offers a portfolio in soccer operations that includes strategic planning, volunteer programs, board operations, club administration, and tournament, camp, and stadium management. Ruth gets results. For example, her work in volunteer programs includes designing and managing a 5-day, 200-team soccer tournament with an 88% fill rate for volunteer jobs, as well as providing all-volunteer stadium staffing for a semi-pro team with a 98% return rate between seasons. She has also worked as a coach, referee, and referee assigner. Ruth is a contributing specialist in the Changing the Game Project’s Coaching Mastery course, as well as an invited speaker at the US Youth Soccer Leadership Development Symposium, National Soccer Coaches Association of America convention, and US Youth Soccer Workshop.
 
Michael O'Neill
Team Manager
Northern Ireland National Football Team

Michael O'Neill is the current Northern Ireland Senior Men’s National Team manager.

O'Neill started his playing career in his native Northern Ireland with Coleraine FC, before playing for a number of clubs in England and Scotland including Newcastle United and Hibernian FC. He was capped 31 times at international level by Northern Ireland, in which he scored four goals.

His managerial career includes stints at Brechin City in Scotland and Shamrock Rovers in Ireland where he made history by leading the first Irish team into the group stages of the UEFA Cup.  He took over as Northern Ireland manager in 2012.

 
John O'Sullivan
Founder
Changing the Game Project
John started the Changing the Game Project in 2012 after two decades as a soccer player and coach on the youth, high school, college and professional level. He brings to the table a wealth of practical, hands on knowledge garnered through years of working with players and their families on sport specific development, fitness and nutrition, college recruiting, and most importantly, nurturing positive, healthy, and supportive relationships between parents and their young athletes. He has complied much of this information in his #1 bestselling book Changing the Game: The Parents Guide to Raising Happy, High Performing Athletes, and Giving Youth Sports Back to our Kids.
 
Erik Oman
Instructor
NSCAA Coaching Academy
 
Giovanni Pacini
Director
GP Soccer
GP Soccer Director Giovanni Pacini has international experience working with some of the world's best coaches and players in researching player, coach, and goalkeeper development. He uses that experience and knowledge in the training and development of all clients who take advantage of GP Soccer. 
Coach Giovanni Pacini is an elite NSCAA Master Coach, a member of the NSCAA National Staff, NSCAA National Goalkeeper Staff, and is published. He also has a 24 year career as a health and physical education teacher having worked with young people from kindergarten to high school.
 
Paolo Pacione
Head of Performance and Fitness Coach
Miami FC

Paolo Pacione is the current Head of Performance and Fitness Coach for Miami FC.  Previously, he was the Fitness Coach / Performance Manager of the Montreal Impact, who recently enjoyed a historical run to the final in the 2014-2015 CONCACAF Champions League.  As the first team’s performance manager, he is responsible for all areas of player training, assessment and monitoring, both on and off the pitch.  Pacione has developed a number of partnerships with industry leaders with companies like Microgate, VX Sport, iThlete, Desmotec, Hedoko, HI Trainer, and most recently CoachMe Plus.  Paolo is also a member the Technology Committee for Major League Soccer. 

Pacione has had a long and successful career in soccer, working as a fitness coach at every level in the game for over 15 years.  Originally from Toronto, Pacione began his career as a physical preparation coach with the Toronto Lynx in 2003 and 2004, in the USL First Division.  Next, he went abroad between 2004-2006 and joined Italian club Faenza Calcio, near Bologna. He then came back to Canada and established a role with the Ontario Soccer Association and the National Training Centre Ontario as the Physical Preparation Coach, a post which he held until his departure for the Montreal Impact. During that time he worked with several teams in the Canadian Soccer League and Various youth clubs in the Greater Toronto Area.  His work with the National Training Centre Ontario led him to become the physical preparation coach with the Women’s U17 Canadian National Team that took part in the 2008 (Bronze Medal) and 2010 (Gold Medal) CONCACAF Championships, while qualifying for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cups in 2008 and 2010.  He went on to work with the Canadian Soccer Association for several of its other teams, including the Men’s U18 and U20 teams, and finally Men’s Senior and Olympic teams in 2012.

Pacione has a Specialized Honours degree (BSc) in Kinesiology and Health Sciences from York University and received his Fitness Trainers Award from the Football Association, in England, in 2009. He is fluent in English, French and Italian.

 
Chris Panayiotou
Developmental Director of Coaching & Developmental Technical Director
Virginia Rush Soccer Club
Chris is currently the Youth Director of Coaching at Virginia Rush Soccer Club. He is also a Rush Select XI Staff Coach. Prior to joining Virginia Rush, he was the Youth Developmental Director at Wisconsin Rush from 2010 - 2014. He was also the Director of Coaching for Middleton Soccer Club from 1999 - 2007 and was the Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association Staff Instructor from 2005 - 2013. Chris was the MYSC Women's Coach from 2006 - 2009.
 
Donald Park
Head of Coach Education
Scottish FA
Donald as the current Head of Coach Education oversees the programme from Grassroots to Elite level however is a key deliver of the UEFA accredited licenses. A member of the UEFA Jiri Panel (Responsible for UEFA Coach Education) he is a major influence in the development of the Scottish FA courses at our bespoke childrens and goal keeping pathway as well as ex National Team assistant coach and current assistant u21 National Team coach.
 
Thomas Park
Executive/Technical Director
Alexandria Soccer Association
Tommy Park is a graduate of DeMatha High School and product of D.C. United Academy. Tommy was a regional NSCAA All-American at University of Mary Washington where he excelled in both soccer and lacrosse. His notable coaching experiences include coach of the SAC U-19 Region I premier team where the club named him Travel Coach of the Year in 2009 after the team entered the top 10 rankings nationally and all 19 rostered players moved on to play collegiate soccer. He enters his eighth year at nationally recognized DeMatha High School as a varsity coach, was an on-site camp director for D.C. United for seven years and coach of D.C. United’s Super-20 Team from 2008-2011.  He has his MPS in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown University. Tommy is a USSF "A" and "National Youth" licensed coach.  

Tommy became Alexandria Soccer Association's (ASA)Executive/Technical Director in 2011 and the clubs first full time staff member.  Since then the club has expanded to hosting over 4,000 players annually in numerous programs and leagues including Tots, Recreation, Travel and Futsal.  ASA now has 7 full time office and technical staff members, 40 staff coaches and more than 250 volunteer coaches to support an operation that accepts 12,000 registrations annually.  
 
Jen Parker
Director of Accounting and Finance
US Youth Soccer
Jen joined US Soccer in 2011 as the Director of Accounting and Finance.  She was a former Director of Finance for Patriot Paws Service Dogs.  She has been an Audit Manager for Wagner, Eubank & Nichols, LLP from 2009-10 and a Finance Manager for Russell Newman, Inc.  She has also been a Senior Assurance Associate for multiple companies.
 
Robert Parr
Technical Director
Gulf Coast Youth Soccer Club

 

The co-creator of SoccerROM, Robert Parr holds a USSF 'A' license, NSCAA Premier Diploma, and a USSF National Youth Coaching license.  He is currently the Technical Director for the Gulf Coast Youth Soccer Club in Southeast Texas, and an NSCAA Consultant for the Club Standards Project.  Previously, he served six years as the Director of Coaching for the Arkansas State Soccer Association, and one year as the Director of Coaching and WPSL Head Coach for the Puerto Rico Capitals FC, which was the first international franchise to compete in the Women's Premier Soccer League.

From 2003-2008, he was the Head Women's Soccer Coach at Georgia College & State University and also coached for the Georgia State Soccer Association Olympic Development Program.  From 1995-2002, Robert was the Director of Training for the American Soccer Club "Eagles" youth program in Austin, Texas (now known as Lonestar SC).  He also served as the South Texas Men's State Team Coach from 1996-1998, and a South Texas YSA State Staff Coach for both the Olympic Development Program (1991-1999) and the Coaching Education Program (1991-2002).  From 1989 until 1995, Robert was the Head Coach of the University of Texas Men's Soccer Team, where he led the program to a National Collegiate Club Championship in 1990, three other National Tournament appearances, and an overall record of 80-25-16.  You can reach Robert at robert@soccerrom.com.

 

 

 
Adrian Parrish
Technical Director
Kentucky Youth Soccer
Parrish joined Kentucky Youth Soccer in October of 2005 as the associations third full time Director of Coaching. In this role, Parrish is responsible for the Coaching Education Program and the management of the Olympic Development Program. Prior to this appointment, he was the Director of Coaching for Amherst Soccer Association in Buffalo, New York in addition the Head Olympic Development Program Coach and Coaching Education Instructor for New York State West Youth Soccer Association.

In 2000, Parrish moved to the United States where he served as the National Assistant Director of Coaching for Britannia Soccer USA and as the Director of Coaching for Great Falls Soccer Club in the Washington DC Metro area. Prior to moving the United States, Parrish played extensively at the youth level with Boston United (formally English Conference league). After suffering numerous injuries attempting to break through as a player in the professional ranks, Adrian opted to remain in the game by starting his coaching career. One of his first appointments included serving as the Grimsby Town Football Club Youth Development Officer and Assistant Youth Team Coach.

A native of Louth, England, Parish currently possesses a USSF “A” License, UEFA “A” License (Pending), and the US Youth Soccer National Youth License. In addition, Adrian is the Head Women’s Coach for the Kentucky Wanderers, on the Region II Boys ODP staff, a USSF Coaching Education and US Youth Soccer National Instructor. Adrian resides in Nicholasville with his son Owen.
 
John Pascarella
Assistant Coach
Sporting Kansas City
Sporting KC Assistant Coach (2011-Present) Sporting KC Technical Staff, Goalkeeping and Fitness Coach (2009-2011) Former Head Coach and Technical Director of the Northern Virginia Royals (USL's Premier Development League) Former Olympic Development Program Coach.
 
Brent Paulson (Moderator)
Founder
Soccer by Design Event Management
 
Juan Paz
 
Stuart Pearce
Former Premier League Manager
League Managers Association
Stuart Pearce became caretaker manager of Nottingham Forest FC in December of 1996 to May of 1997.
After retiring from playing while at Manchester City FC, manager Kevin Keegan gave Stuart Pearce a coaching role within the club. When Keegan resigned in 2005, Pearce took over in a caretaker capacity.  Stuart was given the position permanently in May of 2005, and kept the position until 2007.

Pearce was then handed the England U21 job by the FA on a part-time basis in January 2007, a position made full time in July of 2007. Fabio Capello made Stuart Pearce part of the national teams coaching staff in January of 2008. Pearce was also installed as the manager of Team GB in October of 2011, for the summer Olympic games in 2012 of Summer. He was made temporary manager of the England job in February of 2012.

Pearce was appointed as the manager of Nottingham Forest from 2014-2015.
 
Ralph Perez
Head Men's Coach
University of Redlands on behalf of Nesquik
 
Lincoln Phillips
Goalkeeper Coach
Trinidad & Tobago Senior Women's World Cup Team
Lincoln Phillips, a native of Trinidad and Tobago he was dubbed "El Tigre" for his speed and acrobatic agility between the uprights. He was named the Goalkeeper of the Century by his peers and sports writers. His accolades in his country are numerous which include many club championship honours, a 20 goal shut out record, and a Bronze medal at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg Canada (1967). His outstanding performances in goal at the Pan Am Games landed him a contract with the Baltimore Bays of the defunct North American Soccer League (NASL) in 1968.
 
Angel Planells
Nutrition Consultant
ACP Nutrition
Angel Planells is currently the owner for ACP Nutrition, chair for the National Organization of Men in Nutrition (NOMIN), a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (RDN) with the Veterans Health Administration, and a youth soccer coach at Emerald City Football Club in Seattle. 

Angel also serves as a fitness and performance consultant who works with athletes (both youth and adult) on improving performance.
 
Chris Price
President
Xara Soccer
 
Ted Priestly
Marketing Director
INARIA International
Ted Priestly is the Director of Marketing for Inaria International. A Performance Sports Group company, INARIA designs and manufactures a full-line of soccer uniforms, apparel and equipment. 

Ted arrived at Inaria in January 2015 after serving three years as the Director of Athletic Development at UMass Lowell, where he had also served as Director of Soccer and Head Men’s Soccer Coach for twelve years, following a three-year stint as Head Coach of the Holy Cross men’s soccer team.

In his dozen years at the helm at UMass Lowell, Priestly posted an overall record of 131-76-28 and registered 10 straight winning seasons. The River Hawks reached the NCAA tournament four times, twice reaching the quarterfinals, and were a perennial power in the Northeast 10 Conference. Six of his players earned All-America honors, and 22 attained All-New England status. 

For his efforts, Priestly was named NSCAA, Northeast 10 and NEISL New England Coach of the Year. 

In addition to his on-field exploits, Ted has also been the architect of ‘Opening the Door to College Sports: The Recruiting Process from A to Z,’ a recruiting education seminar designed to enlighten, inspire and instruct prospective student-athletes and their families, as well as the first-ever ThinkTaylor/MIAA Concussion Awareness Week, a week designed to promote concussion awareness, recognition and education.
 
Dan Pullen
Pullen Insurance, Risk Management Committee
 
Pat Pullen
Pullen Insurance, Risk Management Committee
 
Dr. Margot Putukian
 
Dr. Ron Quinn
Professor
Xavier University
Dr. Ron Quinn is in his 37th year of teaching and coaching, and has worked at every educational level holding various positions. A member of the US Youth Soccer National Staff, he was one of the primary authors of the US Youth Soccer National Youth License and the State Youth Modules. For his work during the past 30 years in coaching education, he was awarded the 2006 NSCAA Youth Long-Term Achievement Award and in 2007 received the US Youth Soccer Dr. Thomas Fleck Excellence in Youth Coaching Education Award. Additionally, Quinn served as the Xavier University Women's Soccer Coach from 1993-2004 — holding a 134-95-16 record during the 12 year period, winning two Atlantic-Ten Tournament titles and qualifying for the conference tournament nine of 12 seasons. Dr. Quinn is considered a leading authority in youth soccer and coaching education, and he has attended prestigious national and international conferences, such as the 1999 XX Annual Union of European Football (Soccer) Trainers Symposium, in London. More recently, he was one of two Americans to present at the International Council for Coaching Education Global Coach Conference at Beijing Sport University in Beijing.
 
Mike Rabasca
Director of Cognitive Development
Toronto FC

Michael Rabasca enters his second season as Toronto FC’s director, cognitive development. He joined the first team on August 31, 2014, after previously working in the Kia Toronto FC Academy at the start of the 2014 season.

Prior to joining Toronto FC, Rabasca was a highly successful academy coach with stints at multiple clubs including RSLAZ Academy. Rabasca also worked with US Soccer as a scout and NSCAA as a consultant to their clubs standards project. His focus at Toronto FC is on cognitive and neuro development in athletes, which combines his work experience as an occupational therapist and his history in soccer. Rabasca’s role as director of cognitive development is the first of its kind in North America.

He holds a USSF “A” coaching licence and NSCAA Premier Diploma.

 
Deb Raber
Head Women's Soccer Coach
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Deb Raber, Head Women’s Soccer Coach at MCLA, has led the Trailblazers to victory on and off the field. Since coming to MCLA in 2000, the women’s soccer program has been awarded 38 All-MASCAC selections, 1 MASCAC Player of the Year selection, 2 MASCAC Rookie of the Year selections, 12 NSCAA Awards for Ethics, 4 NSCAA Academic Team Awards, and won the MASCAC regular season championship during the 2010 season. Prior to coaching at MCLA, she coached softball at Springfield College in Springfield Massachusetts; and both softball and soccer at Castleton State college in Castleton, Vermont.

Coach Raber‘s influence within the soccer community is far-reaching and her reputation is highly respected by leaders in the field. Named three times as MASCAC Coach of the Year, Raber also leads and instructs for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). As a member of both the National Goalkeeper Staff and Field Player Staff, she instructs all levels of goalkeeping and level 1 through the Advanced National diplomas on the field player side. In 2014 and 2015 she has presented at the Soccer Champions Coaches’ Clinic in Uncasville, Connecticut alongside Tony DiCicco. Raber has been very active with the NSCAA serving as Northeast Chair for the Academic All-American Committee, Ethics Committee, and Initiatives Committee.

Presently Deb Raber serves as Fitness Center Director and the Strength and Conditioning Coach for all athletic teams at MCLA. Her own personal interest in fitness is coupled with certifications from ACE Personal Training, Functional Movement Systems, National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Titleist Performance Institute, USA Weightlifting, and most recently deemed a Certified Functional Strength Coach through Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning. Coach Raber prepares athletes for their challenging seasons but also provides students with life-long tools of wellness.

 
Janet Rayfield
Head Women's Coach
University of Illinois
Rayfield has led Illinois to the NCAA Tournament in 10 of her 12 seasons at the helm, highlighted by the Illini's fourth Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2013. The Orange and Blue scored the most goals under Rayfield with 54 in 2013, just three goals shy of the school record, and finished the year ranked No. 25 by the NSCAA. Rayfield has worked as a National Staff Coach for the NSCAA and U.S. Soccer as well as served on the coaching staff of the U.S. Women's National Team and several Youth National Teams.
 
Moderator - Duncan Riddle
Executive Director
USASA

Duncan is the Executive Director of the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA), the official governing body of adult soccer, who left the world of professional soccer at Aston Villa after nearly ten years to help pioneer adult soccer in the United States.  The English-born Riddle has been known — on both sides of the Atlantic — for his ground-breaking accomplishments and pioneering partnerships.

 
Osian Roberts
Assistant Manager
Wales National Team
 
Dr. Matt Robinson
Director of Sport Management Program
University of Delaware
Dr. Matthew J. Robinson is a professor and the Director of the Undergraduate and Graduate Sport Management Programs at the University of Delaware. Dr. Robinson is also a member of the legal studies faculty and has a secondary appointment in the School of Education at the University and serves as Director of Management Education for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Dr. Robinson has created sport initiatives in Turkey, Senegal, Ireland, and India and in 2007–08 worked for the United States of America Department of State in the area of Sport Diplomacy.
 
Robbie Rogers
LA Galaxy

Robbie started playing football at the age of four in Huntington Beach, California. In High School, played for Mater Dei High as well as the USPDL. In 2005, he played one year for the University of Maryland. He also regularly played for the US U18 squad and later the U20 squad from 2004 to 2007. In 2006, joined Dutch Club Heerenveen and then The Columbus Crew of the MLS in 2007. Played in the 2007 FIFA U20 World Cup with the United States. In 2007, he was also called up to the U23 team for a friendly against China which led to his appearance representing the United States at the 2008 Olympics Games in Beijing.  In 2008 he joined the US Senior National Team. He started his first International Game in 2009 during a friendly against Sweden. Selected in 2010 to the 30-man preliminary squad for the World Cup. Member of the 2009 & 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup Teams. Signed with English Championship Leeds United the end of 2011. Loaned to League One Stevenage in 2012. Announced Retirement in early 2013. Came out of retirement and signed with the LA Galaxy in May 2013. In December 2014 won an MLS Cup Championship with the LA Galaxy at the StubHub Center in Carson, CA.
Currently, Robbie is the co-Owner of Menswear Brand "Halsey", the Producer on "Men In Shorts" & "My Policeman", is represented by Next Model Agency, and plays for LA Galaxy.

 
Nico Romeijn
Director of Coaching Education
U.S. Soccer Federation

Nico Romeijn joined the U.S. Soccer Coaching Department as the Director of Coaching Education on June 25, 2015. This newly crested postition will have him focused on developing a Pro license while working with Director of Coaching Development, Dave Chesler, to create new educational opportunities and to make modifications to the current licenses offered.
A native from the Netherlands, Romeijn previously worked as the Head of Education for the KNVB, the Dutch Soccer Association, where he was responsible for the content and the learning philosophy of the UEFA coaching development courses, as well as leading the charge when it came to the instructors of the UEFA Diploma Course at the KNVB Academy.
Additionally, he was a member of UEFA’s Jira Panel, a group of educational experts, where he presented at several UEFA conferences and co-wrote various vital coaching publications and concepts. He has served as a Technical Instructor for UEFA and as a scout for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. Romeijn played semi-professional soccer in the Netherlands while he was working towards completion of his bachelor’s degree in Sport and Physical Education. Before joining the KNVB, he taught physical education to juniors and seniors in high school, as well as serving as the head coach of many senior and youth teams for 12 years.

 
Karen Roos
PhD, MSPT, ATC
Center for Sports Injury Research and Prevention
 
Hugo Salcedo
Director of Development
CONCACAF
Salcedo brings extensive experience in the football field as a retired U.S. soccer player and member of the U.S. Olympic and Pan American teams. Furthermore, he has coached at the collegiate level and has spent over thirty years in various executive positions with FIFA, United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and Major League Soccer (MLS).

After a long path as a professional player and executive official at various institutions, Salcedo was appointed by FIFA as a venue General Coordinator for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Since then, he has been selected for a total of 22 FIFA competitions, most recently at the 2012 Olympic Football Tournament in London.

As part of Salcedo's professional engagements, in 1992, he became responsible for the oversight of the administrative portion of FIFA's coaching courses. Finally, he spent two years working for MLS in assisting the development of Hispanic players.From 2001-2004, Salcedo was the FIFA Development Officer for the region of CONCACAF with the task of supervising and helping member associations as they implemented FIFA Goal programmes, as well as noting trends that emerged in their respective areas.

 
Michel Salgado
Director, Former Professional
du Football Champions, Real Madrid
Michel was a defender who led Real Madrid to (4)four LaLiga titles and (2)UEFA Champions League titles in 10 years.  He has over 50 caps for the Spain National Team.
 
Bill Sampaio
National Director
U.S. Futsal
 
Geoffrey Sampaio
 
Fernando Sanz
General Director, Former Professional
LaLiga Middle East and North Africa, Real Madrid and Malaga
Sanz played professionally for 13 years, with all but one year (Chile, 1993) in Spain. During his playing career, Sanz won LFP and Spanish SuperCup titles, as well as the UEFA Champions League, Intercontinental Cup and UEFA Intertoto Cup. After retiring in 2006, he became owner and president of Málaga FC, an RFEF Board Member and LFP Commission Delegate from 2006-10. He has held his current title as General Director of La Liga Middle East & North Africa since 2012. 
 
Denise Schilte-Brown
Head Women's Soccer Coach
University of South Florida
Denise Schilte-Brown has been the Head Women's Soccer Coach and Owner of Future 50 for the past nine years. She has also been a motivational and keynote speaker for the past nineteen years.
 
Stuart Sharp
Men's Paralympic National Team Head Coach
United States Soccer Federation

Stuart has just over 18 years of experience coaching soccer from a grassroots to professional academy level in the U.S., and across 4 continents including delivering workshops on behalf of UEFA and The Asian Football Confederation. Stuart has been the Head Coach of the U.S Soccer Federation’s Paralympic National Team since January 2014, during that time he has significantly elevated the program’s awareness in the U.S., in addition to improving the National Team’s official world ranking. He is the former Head of Technical Development and an International Classifier for the International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football (IFCPF) which is the world governing body for Paralympic 7 a Side Soccer,  and now chairs their National Team Managers Working Group. Stuart also worked as The Scottish Football Association’s National Development Manager for Disability Football, where he developed a national player pathway in addition to the creating and tutor on coach education courses. He is also the former Director of International Sport Development for BlazeSports, during which time he successfully expanded their global sport development programs to encourage best practice in the fields of disability sport, recreation, and physical activity for people with disabilities. 

 
Nolan Sheldon
Youth Director
D.C. United
 
Jason Sisneros
Director of Analytics
University of North Carolina
 
Brad Skeen
Senior Technical Strategist
Americaneagle.com
 
Ciaran Skinner
Special Projects Manager
Globall Coach
Ciaran joined Globall Coach after graduating from Sheffield Hallam University with honors in Human Biology. He initially joined as a member of the sales team, but soon rose to his current role. Ciaran is the main communication channel between elite level clubs and Globall Coach - working one-on-one with some of the biggest names in world football. 
 
Celia Slater
Chief Visionary
True North Sports

Celia Slater is co-founder of the NCAA Women Coaches Academy (WCA) and The Alliance of Women Coaches (The Alliance). She has almost 30 years experience in college athletics both as a collegiate basketball coach and as executive director of the WCA and the Alliance. In 2014, Celia branched out on her own to launch True North Sports with a desire to extend her work to male and female head and assistant coaches and explore creative new ways to tackle other challenging civil rights issues in collegiate athletics related to race, gender and sexuality. Her services include educational program development, mastermind groups for coaches and one-on-one “coaching the coach,” sessions. Celia is also the founder of the Assistant Coach Immersion Program (ACIP).


 
Caulbert Smith
Associate Technical Director
Illinois Youth Soccer

Smith joined Illinois Youth Soccer after serving as the Director of Coaching of Cary Soccer Association for eight past years.

Smith currently holds the USSF National "B" Coaching License and USSF National Youth Coaching License. He has been a very active member of the Illinois Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program and Illinois Youth Soccer Coaching Education staff for the past three years.

 
Dustin Smith
Founder and President
Especially for Athletes
 
Jerry Smith
Head Women's Coach
Santa Clara University

Head coach Jerry Smith is in his 29th season at the helm of the Santa Clara women's soccer program in 2015. Although he is most known for the development of his players and teams, Smith also produces success and is the most winning women's soccer coach in Santa Clara history. Since taking over the head coaching duties at Santa Clara in the spring of 1987, Smith has built the Bronco soccer program into a national power.  

Smith has also earned recognition on national and international levels. In March 2000, he was named the U.S. Under-21 National Team coach, a position he resigned in August 2002, after capturing the 2001 Nordic Cup and successfully defending the championship a year later. He has also served on the FIFA Technical Report Team and was the Site Coordinator for Brazil during World Cup 1994. He was also the West Region head coach for the Olympic Development Program.

Smith began his coaching career at his alma mater, Homestead High School in Sunnyvale, Calif., where his boys' teams compiled a 69-29-12 record in seven seasons, including two consecutive league championships. Along with his head coaching responsibilities at Homestead, Smith also served as the assistant coach for Foothill College's men's team from 1982-86 in Los Altos Hills, Calif. He also had a one-year stint as Foothill's head women's coach in 1986. After obtaining his A.S. degree from Foothill in 1981, Smith earned his bachelor's degree in kinesiology from Cal State Hayward in 1986.

 
Sam Snow
Technical Director
US Youth Soccer
The US Youth Soccer Technical Department expanded when Sam Snow joined the team in 2003 as the Assistant Director of Coaching Education. His experience and knowledge are grossed from years spent in national, collegiate and youth education. In October 2004, Snow acquired a greater level of responsibility when he was promoted to his current position as Coaching Director for US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sports organization in America. His reputation for teaching both players and coaches in a manner that is professional, non-threatening and enjoyable is widely acknowledged and respected throughout the nation. Snow's accolades are impressively stacked, including the United States Soccer Federation "A" License and National Youth License, a Premier Diploma and National Goalkeeping Coaching License. Coaching is a second nature for him, as he has coached at the high school (Norfolk Catholic High School), collegiate (Florida Southern College, University of South Florida, Virginia Wesleyan College), state (Florida Youth Soccer Association) and regional (US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program Region III) levels. Prior to joining the US Youth Soccer Technical Department, Snow held positions as a U.S. Soccer National Staff Instructor and as a Director of Coaching for Louisiana Soccer Association. In 1977, Snow received his bachelor's degree from Virginia Wesleyan College and his Master of Arts – Physical Education from the University of South Florida in 1979.
 
Chris Snyder
Director of Coaching
United States Olympic Committee
Chris Snyder is the director of coaching education for the United States Olympic Committee. In his current role, Snyder focuses on supporting the USOC sport performance department and Team USA coaches His responsibilities include discovering and providing resources to enhance sport culture and the National Governing Bodies that service sport in the United States.

Previously, Snyder served as the manager of coaching education and training for U.S. Lacrosse in Baltimore. He has coached competitive sports for more than 12 years.

He currently lives in Colorado Springs, Colo., with his wife, Samantha.
 
Scott Snyder
Player Development Specialist
American Youth Soccer Organization
Scott Snyder has been with AYSO since 2012 holding the position of AYSO Player Development and Technical Advisor in the coaching department. During this time he has helped the National Coaching program reach new heights by rewriting the national curriculum for volunteer coaches, developing coaching workshops, creating communications for volunteer coaches and working with the National Coaching Advisory Commission to keep AYSO at the forefront of youth soccer education. Starting in 2015, Scott took on the role of AYSO's Player Development Specialist.
 
Mark Spiegel
Founder
Make Your Own Ball Day
Mark Spiegel is the founder of  Make Your Own Ball Day. Spiegel was born in Lee’s Summit, Missouri on the historic Florence Avenue. While growing up in a football family, Spiegel found soccer to be his passion and followed it to Butler University where he played center-mid for the Bulldogs. A traumatic brain injury cut his collegiate playing career short yet spurred on his pursuit of coaching. Spiegel has been fortunate enough to travel the world and in his adventures realized that he communicated best when playing soccer with the locals. 

Spiegel is the Academy Director for a club on the south side of Indy called South Central Soccer Academy where he teaches 8, 9 and 10 year olds the game he loves.
 
Bill Stara
Director of Recreation and Academy Programs
Broomfield Soccer Club

Bill Stara relocated to Colorado from Maryland in 2014, accepting the Director of Recreation and Academy Program position at Broomfield Soccer Club. Prior to moving to Colorado, Bill was the Technical Director for the state of Maryland. As the state’s Technical Director, Bill was responsible for Maryland’s ODP Program as well as the licensing courses and other state educational programs. During his tenure as state Technical Director he was also a presenter at the US Youth Soccer Workshop and the NSCAA Convention. Bill has worked as an instructor for US Soccer, US Youth Soccer and for the NSCAA.

In 1982, Bill started his coaching career at Centennial HS located in Ellicott City, Maryland. During his time at Centennial his teams appeared in nine state championship games, winning seven. In 1996, Bill was recruited to teach and coach at  a new school in Howard County Maryland called River Hill High School. The River Hill teams followed the same blueprint for success winning seven state titles under Stara’s direction. While working at the high school level Bill also coached at the club level for the Soccer Association of Columbia and the Howard Soccer Club.

During this time period Bill was the first coach to earn Coach of the Year awards from the NSCAA for High School and Youth Coaching. In 1998 the opportunity arose to become an assistant coach with Darryl Gee at the professional level, coaching the Maryland Mania. The team competed in the United Soccer Leagues at the “A” League level. After the coaching at the professional level, Bill was hired as the Technical Director for the Soccer Association of Columbia. After 10 years with the club, Bill moved on to become the Technical Director for the Loudon Soccer Club. While the Technical Director for Loudoun he started to work on the Women’s Task Force Committee for US Soccer. Bill Stara resides in south Denver with his wife Arden.

 
Hank Steinbrecher
Former CEO and Secretary General
U.S. Soccer Federation

The Long Island, N.Y.-native, is credited as the man who spearheaded American soccer’s surge to international prominence and credibility in the 1990s. In a December 2013 NSCAA.com feature, Steinbrecher said he learned how to be a top-level executive by first being a coach. 
Steinbrecher had a storied soccer career leading up to his time with U.S. Soccer. He coached at Warren Wilson University and Appalachian State University in North Carolina, before assuming the same position at Boston University. While at BU, he accepted the position as director of the Harvard University soccer venue for the 1984 Olympic Games.
The success of those matches propelled him into the private sector as the marketing director for the Gatorade. In 1990, he became U.S. Soccer CEO and Secretary General, which he held until 2001. Steinbrecher played a key role in attracting the two largest soccer events held in the United States: the 1994 World Cup and the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Both were won by the United States.
Steinbrecher was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005, followed by the NSCAA Honor Award in 2006. He was also named the 2012 recipient of the U.S. Soccer's Werner Fricker Builder Award, an honor bestowed to an individual who has worked to further the interest of the sport of soccer without regard to personal recognition or advancement.

 
Bernd Stober
Coach Educator for Pro, A and B licenses
Germany (DFB)
Holds the UEFA 'A' License. Spent multiple years as Germany Youth National Team Coach.
 
Carrie Taylor
Staff Coach, Technical Director
NSCAA, LNYSA (CA)
 
David Tenney
Sports Science and Performance Manager
Seattle Sounders

David Tenney enters his second season as Sports Science & Performance Manager after spending the previous five seasons as fitness coach. He is one of Major League Soccer’s most respected and progressive minds in sports science. Tenney implemented the Catapult GPS program which measures player movement in games and practices, as well as the Omegawave technology that tests player’s heart rate variability and state of readiness before and after participation.

Prior to joining Sounders FC, Tenney served as both Fitness and Goalkeeper Coach in Kansas City in 2007 and 2008, helping the Wizards reach the postseason both years. Kansas City reached the Conference Finals in 2007. He also holds an “A” license from the Czech Republic FA and NSCAA 'Premier' Diploma. Prior to MLS, Tenney held the same dual role with the George Mason University men’s and women’s teams for two seasons. In 2006, Mason advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 12 years.

While at George Mason, Tenney also served as Director of Coaching for the Washington Freedom youth teams from 2004-06 and as Maryland’s girls Director of ODP, winning two ODP National Championships (2005 and 2006). Tenney’s playing career features both collegiate and indoor professional honors. At Virginia Tech (1989-91), he served as team captain the final two seasons. As the Hokies’ goalkeeper, he was voted Metro Conference Defensive MVP in 1989.

His professional career began overseas with Germany’s SV Linx (1992-93) and FC Rastatt (1993-94). He returned home to play for the Washington Warthogs of the Continental Indoor Soccer League from 1994-97 and held franchise records for saves, wins and minutes played for goalkeepers. He was with the Baltimore Blast of the NPSL from 1998-2000 and also starred for the Baton Rouge Bombers, earning second team All-EISL in 1998. Tenney is married to Allison, who is an Assistant Coach of the Seattle University women’s soccer team. They have two daughters, Quinn and Cameron.

 
Max Trenerry
Neuropsychologist Sport Psychologist
Mayo Clinic
 
Frank Tschan
Academy Staff Coach-Europe
National Soccer Coaches Association of America
Sport Director/Club Manager, International School of Düssledorf
 
Tom Turner
Technical Director
Ohio Youth Soccer
 
Erwin van Elst
President
SportPartnersUSA - Meulensteen North America

Erwin van Elst grew up in the Netherlands and played for professional team Helmond Sport in the Dutch First Division.  He is a graduate of the Central Institute for Coaching, Arnhem, the Netherlands.  van Elst has worked in Michigan as a Director of Coaching and Technical Director at several clubs for over 20 years.  The past five years he has directed SportPartnersUSA – Meulensteen North America ‘s coach and player development clinics across North America.  van Elst has a UEFA B-license, USSF B-license, and the Meulensteen Method International coaching badge.

 
Dr. Judy Van Raalte
Professor of Psychology
Springfield College

Judy L. Van Raalte, PhD, is a professor of psychology at Springfield College; a certified consultant, Association for Applied Sport Psychology; and listed in the United States Olympic Committee Sport Psychology Registry. She has worked with athletes, coaches, and sports organizations around the world.

Dr. Van Raalte has presented at conferences in 16 countries, produced sport psychology videos, and published more than 80 articles in peer-reviewed journals on topics such as self-talk, body image, and professionals issues in sport and exercise psychology.

She is a fellow of APA and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.

 
Wim van Zwam
National Coach Instructor
United States Soccer Federation
 
Amanda Vandervort
Senior Director of Social Media
Major League Soccer
As the Senior Director of Social Media at Major League Soccer (MLS), Amanda Vandervort oversees the league's social media strategy, where she’s responsible for driving business growth and revenue through platform and content innovations.  Prior to MLS, Amanda was the Digital Media Manager for Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) and the Head Women's Soccer Coach at New York University (NYU).  She holds her NSCAA Premier Diploma and U.S. Soccer Federation B license.  She is the Vice President of the NSCAA and is a FIFA Instructor. 
 
Peter Vermes
Head Coach
Sporting Kansas City

Manager Peter Vermes oversees all soccer operations for Sporting Kansas City, including the active roster and the Sporting Kansas City Academy. He has spent seven seasons as Sporting Kansas City Manager since taking over in 2009. He ends the 2015 campaign as the team’s second-longest serving manager, and his 113 coaching victories in all competitions are the most club history.

During his tenure, Vermes has won three major trophies – the 2012 and 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups and the 2013 MLS Cup championship – as well as two MLS Eastern Conference regular season titles (2011, 2012). He is the second coach to lead Sporting KC to five straight postseason appearances, as well as the only person to ever win the MLS Cup as both a player and a coach with the same team. His 90 regular season wins top the club’s all-time chart and rank eighth most in MLS history.

After his college career as a star forward and All-American at Rutgers University, Vermes represented the United States in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Korea, and was named 1988 Chevrolet U.S. Male Soccer Athlete of the Year for his efforts.

Vermes was an integral part of a young U.S. team at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, where he nearly scored a sensational goal against the host Azzurri. It was the first time the U.S. had qualified for the World Cup in 40 years and set the stage for the progress of the U.S. National Team. In 1989 and 1990, Vermes became the first American to play in the Hungarian and Dutch First Divisions, playing for Raba ETO and FC Volendam, respectively. He later spent five years with Figueras of the Spanish Second Division.

For MLS’s inaugural season in 1996, Vermes served as captain of the New York/New Jersey MetroStars. In 1997, he was traded to the Colorado Rapids for current Sporting KC Assistant Coach Kerry Zavagnin and played in Denver through the 1999 season, leading the Rapids to the 1997 MLS Cup Final.

Vermes joined Kansas City in 2000 for what would be the most successful seasons of his MLS career. During his first year in Kansas City, he anchored one of the best defenses in league history and won MLS Defender of the Year honors in helping lead the Wizards to the 2000 MLS Cup Championship. He retired in 2002 after appearing in 184 MLS matches and playing more than 16,000 minutes. He was  nominated on the players’ ballot for the National Soccer Hall of Fame from 2007-2012. In 2013, Vermes was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

 
Joan Vila
Head of Methodology
FC Barcelona

Vila is the director of methodology for the FC Barcelona Academy. Vila is essential in the development of the concepts of Barca's game, and the methods used in daily training with youth teams. Vila's other extensive soccer experience includes working with the Federació Catalana de Futbol (FCF) as the technical and tactical professor. He also served as technical director for Soccer Services, CE Mataro, and FCF.

 
Dr. Amanda Visek
Professor
The George Washington University
Amanda Visek is a trained sport scientist-practitioner with extensive clinical and field experiences as a Certified Consultant of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (CC-AASP) with active status on the United States Olympic Committee Sport Psychology and Mental Training Registry. As a sport scientist and federally-funded public health steward, her research focus and applied practice has been making scientific advancements in our understanding of determinants of and barriers to children’s positive, fun sport experiences - the FUN MAPS.

The FUN MAPS are scientific blueprints for promoting a culture of fun for children participating in organized athletics and provide the evidentiary framework for the first-ever theoretical model of fun, known as the Fun Integration Theory. The FUN MAPS have captured the interest of youth sport communities both domestically and internationally and have been featured in USA Today, the Washington Post, the Huffington Post, the Chicago Tribune, ScienceDaily, CBS Radio, ABC, NBC, and FOX television and many more.
 
Chad Waelchli
Owner & Head Performance Coach
CW Fitness

Chad Waelchli is the owner, and head performance coach of CW Fitness. Chad received his Masters Degree in Exercise Science in August of 2005 and his Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science in May of 2004, both from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania . While at ESU, Chad served as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Wilkes University and Lehigh University and was a Graduate Assistant in the Intramural and Recreation Department at ESU.

Chad is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and a certified SPARQ trainer (Speed, Power, Agility, Reaction, and Quickness). Chad played collegiate baseball at North Carolina Wesleyan College and East Stroudsburg University. Chad was an all area and all state catcher who had professional workouts with the Florida Marlins and Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and was scouted by the Colorado Rockies. Chad turned down a free agent deal with the Philadelphia Phillies to focus on his graduate school and thesis research. Chad is currently working part time as a professional model for fitness, acting, and men’s casual wear as well as training and competing in mixed martial arts. Chad has worked for such companies as Majestic, Runners World Magazine, and has been a fitness Model for Men’s Health Magazine.

Along with coaching specialized, functional training, Chad annually presents reasearch and lectures at NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) and ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) conferences at the national, regional and local level, and has been doing so for over 8 years. He was a teacher of biomechanics, nutrition, and strength training principles at DeSales University in Allentown, PA from 2008-2009. While at DeSales, Chad served as the head strength and conditioning coach for the DeSales University Baseball team and provided training seminars for the Women’s soccer team.

 
Erica Walsh
Head Women's Coach
Penn State University

In Head Coach Erica Walsh's ninth season she led Penn State to a National Championship.  When she came to Penn State, Walsh brought with her a wealth of experience at both the international and collegiate levels. She already has coached at six different universities, including three stints as head coach as well as serving as an assistant for the U.S. U-19 team in 2004. Walsh served as head coach of the U-17 team from December 2004 until her hire at Penn State in February 2007.

As of January 2009, Walsh was appointed as a member of the Panel of Instructors and Lecturers for FIFA Courses. In addition, she was appointed as the Chairman of the Women's Technical Committee for the period of January 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011.

In January of 2008, Walsh was named as the assistant coach by Pia Sundhage for the U.S. National Team. With Walsh's help and guidance the U.S. team completed its historic run with a gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Even sweeter was that Walsh's main responsibility was the U.S. Team's defense, which held fellow world power Brazil scoreless in the gold medal game.

The Huntingdon Valley, Pa., native holds an NSCAA Advanced National Degree and a USSF "A" Coaching License.

 
Louise Waxler
Executive Director
McLean Youth Soccer
Louise Waxler's career began with the Soccer Association of Columbia (SAC) in 1985 as the Director of the Columbia Invitational Soccer Tournament serving in that capacity until joining the Maryland SoccerPlex in 2005 as Soccer Programs Director. She has held positions as General Manager for the Philadelphia Independence of Women’s Professional Soccer; Director of Operations for the Washington Freedom (Women’s United Soccer Association); and Operations Director at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC for the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup Tournament. 

Waxler was elected as the 58th President of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) in 2006, as only the third female in the 69 years of the organization to hold the office of President.  In 2010, Louise was a recipient of the NSCAA Women's Committee Award of Excellence, which recognizes those who have brought honor and distinction to women's soccer. In October 2011, Louise was inducted into the Howard County, Maryland Recreation and Parks Hall of Fame for her personal contributions and achievements in respect to community sports.  In January 2015, Louise received the NSCAA Letter of Commendation presented to individuals that have distinguished themselves in service to the sport of soccer.  Waxler served a five-year term on the NSCAA Board of Governors and continues to serve the Association as the National Chair of the Youth Coach of the Year Committee.  Louise also has her own foundation, Headers For Hope, which raises money through sport to help support the family and friends of those battling cancer.   Her efforts have raised nearly $1 million dollars since 1997 to assist those in need.
 
Chris West
Associate Head Coach for Strength and Conditioning
University of Connecticut

Chris West is currently the Associate Head Coach for Strength and Conditioning at the University of Connecticut working directly with Men's Basketball and Men's and Women's Soccer.

Prior to his appointment at University of Connecticut he served as an Athletic Trainer at Saint Louis University and was later appointed as Strength and Conditioning Coordinator. Coach West also has experience serving strength and conditioning and athletic training internships with the Oakland Raiders and Los Angeles Kings and a graduate assistantship with the Seattle Seahawks.

Chris earned his Bachelor's Degree from California State University at Long Beach in Physical Education and Masters Degree in Exercise and Movement Science from the University of Oregon. Coach West has held certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association as Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, the National Athletic Training Association as a Certified Athletic Trainer, and the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a Performance Enhancement Specialist.
 
Phil Wheddon
Head Women's Coach, Director
Syracuse University, GK ONE LLC
From the World Cup to the Olympics, Phil Wheddon has enjoyed success at soccer’s most prestigious events. He helped guide the United States to consecutive gold medals, including the 2008 crown in Beijing. Wheddon brought a wealth of experience at the collegiate, professional and international levels to Syracuse when he became the third head coach in the program’s history in the spring of 2008.
 
Lindsey Whitford
Program Director
Soccer Without Borders Boston
Lindsey Whitford is the Program Director for Soccer Without Borders Boston, the organization's newest year-round program. As Director, Lindsey oversees all aspects of program development and delivery, managing over 50 volunteers to serve hundreds of newcomer youth in Greater Boston. Lindsey first joined SWB in 2010 as an international Team Leader in Nicaragua, where she coached and led family engagement and community partnerships. Upon her return to the U.S., Lindsey took the lead on monitoring & evaluation for SWB, and was named Boston Program Director in 2012. Lindsey played varsity soccer at Lewis & Clark College while she earned a degree in Hispanic Studies.
 
Laurie Whitsel, Ph.D.
Director of Policy Research
American Heart Association

Laurie Whitsel, Ph.D. is currently the Director of Policy Research for the American Heart Association, helping to translate science into policy at a national level in the areas of cardiovascular disease and stroke prevention and health promotion. The association’s policy research department provides policy development and the foundation for the American Heart Association’s advocacy work at the national and state level.  She focuses on the AHA’s prevention policy portfolio and has written numerous published papers in the area of nutrition, physical activity, and obesity prevention, and has led the development of the AHA’s strategic policy agenda.  She serves as a consultant for several grants one from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention selecting interventions that have the highest impact and an NIH grant led by Dariush Mozaffarian on comparative effectiveness of population strategies to improve diet and reduce cardiovascular disease.  She has been integrally involved with national policy around nutrition and physical activity including nutrition standards in schools, physical education, worksite wellness programs, active community design, school wellness policies, food and beverage marketing to children, obesity prevention in early care and education, school wellness policies, procurement policy, and increasing community access to affordable, nutritious foods and beverages.  She is also helping to evaluate and measure the AHA’s progress toward its strategic priorities and 2020 impact goal. 

Whitsel helps manage several national relationships for the American Heart Association with key public health partners and serves on the Board of Directors for the Health Enhancement Research Organization and the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity.  Whitsel speaks at national and regional conferences on policy topics related to nutrition, physical activity, and obesity prevention.  She has served on the expert panel for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program, she has been a sector co-leader for implementation of the National Physical Activity Plan, she participated on a national healthy restaurant initiative with the RAND Corporation, and has served as a reviewer for numerous peer-reviewed scientific journals, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s School Health Policies and Programs Study  and the CDC’s School Health Guidelines to Promote Lifelong Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Among Young People.  She is a member of the AHA’s National Scientific Council on Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health. 

 
Dave Wiebenga
Founder
Excel Goalkeeping
Dave Wiebenga is an alumni of Truman State University (2002) and played in the USL Professional leagues from 2002-2004 with Arizona Sahauros and the Calgary Storm.  In 2005, he became the head men's and women's soccer coach at Lee's Summit High School.  Since taking over the program, they have earned 10 Conference and District titles, 2015 Women's Class 4 Final Four, and 2014 MO Class 4 Men's State Championship.  Dave was named 2014 Conference Coach of the Year, 2014 MO Western Region Coach of the Year, 2014 MO Coaches Association Soccer Coach of the Year, 2014 NSCAA MO State Coach of the Year, and 2014 NSCAA Central Region Coach of the Year.  Furthermore, Dave own's EXCEL Goalkeeping in Lee's Summit, MO, and is currently a NSCAA Goalkeeping Academy Staff Coach.  

 
Dr. Jay Williams
Professor, Department of Human Nutrition, Food, and Exercise
Virginia Tech
Dr. Jay H. Williams, professor of human nutrition, foods, and exercise, promotes physical activity among children.

Williams’ research has focused on the acute responses and chronic adaptations of skeletal muscle to exercise, diet and disease. Recently he has focused his research efforts towards effectively communicating research findings to students and practitioners. This led him to establish the website The Science of Soccer Online, which is dedicated to translating cutting edge research into practical applications. It serves as a bridge between the laboratory research and human performance.

He is also the author of the books The SCIENCE Behind Soccer Nutrition and The SCIENCE Behind Soccer Nutrition: Diet and Training Journal. His new text, Questioning Research focuses on assimilating and evaluating research information as a method to validate research claims.
 
Nathan Williams
Staff Coach
Carolina Rapids
 
Dr. Doug Williamson
National Staff Coach
NSCAA
NSCAA Mike Berticelli Excellence in Coaching Education Award (2006) Former Head Coach, Nebraska Wesleyan Men and Women's Soccer, Curry College Women's Soccer Coaching experience at both the youth and high school levels.
 
Justin Wilt
Executive Director
Arlington Soccer Association

Justin Wilt has served as the Executive Director for the Arlington Soccer Association since 2010 (and he was a volunteer administrator for 5 years before that).  Under his leadership Arlington Soccer has grown its player numbers and expanded its services and programs, and today ASA serves over 9,000 children and several dozen adults each year.

Justin has coached since the 1980s.  He has the USSF National Youth License, National D License, and the NSCAA Level 5, Goalkeeping 1 and Urban Soccer diplomas.  He currently coaches a U17 girls recreational team and hosts soccer clinics for beginning adult players in Arlington, VA.

 
Greg Winkler
Head Boy's Soccer Coach
Ida Baker High School

Greg Winkler relies on his 30 plus years of coaching and teaching, building relationships with student athletes, parents, and co-workers to inspire and motivate. Greg has written a book about coaching for significance and can present on a variety of topics. He has spoken nationally about dealing with sport parents and has a presentation on Leading/Coaching for Significance. Greg is passionate about youth sports and is concerned with the 70% dropout rate of youth participation by the age of 14 and the fact that 25% of coaches quit each year. Greg can help you make your teams and communities keep sport participation significant and help you become a better coach or leader.

 
Ivan Woyno
Director of Member Services
Minnesota Youth Soccer
 
Eric Wynalda
Analyst
Fox Sports
As a former MLS and USMNT starter, Wynalda has since stayed active in the soccer community. He is currently a member of the Fox Soccer broadcast team.
 
Theresia Wynns
Director of Sports and Officials Education
National Federation of State High School Associations
 
Jerry Yeagley
Former Head Coach
Indiana University
Jerry Yeagley was the coach of the Indiana Hoosiers men's soccer team from 1973 to 2003. His teams won six NCAA Championships and a Division I record 544 games. He is considered the most successful collegiate soccer coach in the history of the sport. His overall career record was 544-101-45 (.828). He never had a losing season as a head coach. Yeagley was also an NCAA Champion in soccer as a player, winning the national championship with West Chester in 1961.
 
Mike Yeatts
Executive Director
Prince William Soccer, Inc
Mike Yeatts began at Prince William over 15 years ago as a board member for the club and as a staff coach.  Mike became the General manager for the club in 2006.  He assumed the role of Executive Director in 2009.

Previously to taking the position as general manager, Mike was the library technican at Forest Park High School where he also worked with the boys soccer program.  Before moving to Forest Park High School he was a government teacher at Woodbridge Senior High School along with the girls varsity head coach where he led the Vikings to 2 state titles along with the 2001 National Championship.