I grew up in a town called Diamond Bar, in Los Angeles County. I played AYSO soccer until high school and wrestled Varsity for 3 years. I loved all sports and was the team trainer for my high school’s football team.
My biggest influence in sports was Jack Cooprider, Aka Coop. Coop was an amazing positive influence for me in many ways. He taught me track in middle school, wrestling and how to be a trainer in high school. He taught me so much more than just sports. He was always honest, tough and pushed me to be better in sports as well as life. He helped me achieve an undefeated Senior year in wrestling.
I went to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and studied Graphic Communications. This is where I met my wife, we both worked on campus producing the daily newspaper. I know this is dating me.
I fell in love with soccer again when our 2 boys started playing sports. I was able to coach both of them in all their sports. I’ve always worked daytime hours so I can coach at night. A TEDxBend video I watched back in 2014 became a teaching point for every one of my teams. It was John O’Sullivan, “Changing the Game in Youth Sports.” My favorite thing to tell parents to say during the car ride home after a game is “I love to watch you play.”
I currently manage and play on a 35+ men’s indoor soccer team called Fighting Grey, we have been competing for the last 10 years. I have been coaching soccer in our club for 13 years. I am currently coaching the U17 Boys Blue team. It is such a gift to be able to work with absolutely amazing talented young men.