Being a soccer coach was never something that I had considered growing up. I was born and raised in Rogers Park on the north side of Chicago with my mother and brother. My brother and I were both very competitive and tried a season of almost every sport as kids. It wasn’t until 8 years old that I finally joined the local AYSO playing two years up at my with my brother’s team starting my lifelong passion. After a few matches it was recommended that we contact FC Royal to play at the club level. I followed a few of my teammates from FC Royal to Loyola Academy to play together in high school. Senior year was tough for me when I had as I had an overbearing coach, had my first serious injury that sidelined me for most of the season, and I began to loose my love for soccer.
I turned down an offer to play in college for a small school deciding to stay local and go to Loyola University to study psychology where I eventually met my wife through mutual friends. In my second year of college I finally dusted of my boots, started kicking a ball around again and began playing club. While finishing up degree I received an offer to help as a part-time coach in Skokie with AYSO Extra and summer camps. About a year in to coaching I received an offer to help start a community program in Logan Square for Manchester City. I was promoted to the director of the program and helped grow it from 8 players who regularly attended to 120.
I became more focused and started to get my coaching licenses. I met Nick Mulvaney through my work at the community program and started helping Chicago City with strength and conditioning and the pre-academy. The summer before joining the staff at CCSC I unfortunately tore my ACL and entered one another difficult time mentally and physically. I faced some of my biggest fears during this time and felt I came out a stronger and better person after. I feel lucky for the opportunities I have received but have never settled, looking to constantly change and adapt to be a better mentor, role model and coach for young players.