Coach Ben began his love of soccer at 3 years old playing for the Orange Tornados at Mukwonago Town Park. He will never forget the chilly fall day when his coach handed him a chocolate candy bar larger than the size of his head after the game. What could provoke such a reward? The week prior to the game, Ben’s coach had challenged the entire team: whoever could perform the “Cruyff” during a game, would get a special treat. This exciting memory and the benefit of having a coach that understood players must have fun when learning soccer, has engrained how important the first experience of any sport can impact a child’s perception of the game for the rest of their life. Coach Ben aspires to provide a similar positive experience for young soccer players in every session of Spring Sports.

Coach Ben continued to play soccer as he grew up and went on to play at the select level for SC Waukesha (now SC Wave). During his time at SC Waukesha, he was coached by Marcelo Santos (a former Marquette University Assistant Coach & current Assistant Coach of New England Revolution II), and Giuliano Olivero (current Head Coach of the Milwaukee Wave). A few notable accomplishments Coach Ben would experience while playing under both coaches were qualifying for the Wisconsin State Cup every season (One time winner), qualifying for and winning the Midwest Regional League, qualifying and finishing 3rd while playing in the National League. Through these experiences and the teachings of both coaches, Coach Ben learned how to be a good team player, to bounce back, to learn from mistakes, and that there is no substitution for putting in the work.

His competitive soccer journey came to an end as he elected not to play at the collegiate level while attending the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Instead, he has multiple years of serving as a youth sports referee, officiating numerous soccer matches, and gaining valuable insight into the rules, regulations, and dynamics of the game. His experience provided him with a unique perspective on the sport, enhancing his skills for training youth players between the ages of 4 to 15.

The work ethic instilled in him through playing soccer at such a competitive level and the life lessons he was taught from his former coaches were monumental in propelling Coach Ben to want to pass the knowledge forward to young athletes today.