Dedicated to Improving Childhood
Development Through SPORTS
Our motto
About us
Playpen Sports Academy was started by a small group of three Chicago soccer coaches with experience at all levels of the youth sports spectrum. After working a few seasons as the director of another local soccer club, Playpen Sports Academy Founder, Chris Nagel decided to start his own toddlers program with a stronger emphasis on child development as well as the sport specific curriculum.
Take a second to meet our awesome leadership team below!
The Leadership Team
Coach Chris // Executive Director
Hometown: Appleton, WI
Email:
"Much like the toddlers of Playpen Sports Academy, I started playing sports at a very young age and they soon became a major part of my life as it is to this day. The skills and life lessons I've learned through soccer, football & basketball have everything to do with the person I am today and my goal now is to pass down those same values to not only the players I coach personally, but all the players I cross paths with on my coaching journey!"
Licenses & Education
Coaching Experience
2017-2018 AYSO U9G/U13B/U10B/U9B Skills Trainer, Soccer for Success Site Coordinator and Coach, U.S. Soccer Foundation Coaches Trainer, Toddlers Class Coach
2016-2017 Coach, Soccer for Success Site Coordinator and Coach, Toddlers Class Coach
2015 Athletic Performance Training Coach
US Soccer Federation National F License
Certified US Soccer Foundation Local Trainer
American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer
University of Wisconsin - Madison
B.S. Kinesiology - Exercise and Movement Science
Wisconsin School of Business
Certificate of Business Administration
Coach Aly OTR/L
Director of Childhood Development & Curriculum
Alyson is a Licensed Occupational Therapist specializing primarily in pediatric OT. She has spent much of her professional career working with young children in both clinical and educational settings and brings a great deal of knowledge and experience in the field of early childhood development to the Playpen Sports Academy team. Aly has always had a passion for working with kids and her experience and approach to childhood development will provide incredible value to our new and improved developmental-based curriculum. Aly was a two sport athlete, excelling in swimming and softball throughout her childhood, but now focuses her athletic energy on molding future generations of athletes.
Register Occupational Therapist // Licensed
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee // Bachelors of Occupational Sciences
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee // Masters of Occupational Therapy
Licenses & Education
Coach Tiffany
Director of Operations - Chicago
Email:
Tiffany comes to us with a large breadth of experience in youth sports management, both as a coach and as a program director. She is a former NCAA Division I soccer player and has spent her entire adult life coaching soccer at all levels from toddlers up to collegiate athletes. However, all professional experience aside, what makes Tiffany such a good person for this role is her experience as a mother to her 2-year old daughter. As a mother herself, she knows first hand what it takes to provide the best possible experience in our programs and we are incredibly excited for the impact she will have on our organization.
US Soccer Federation National C License
Eastern Illinois University // BS Psychology
Columbus State University // MA Public Administration
Drexel University // MS Education
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Northwind Soccer Club
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Chicago Kics Soccer Club
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National Goalkeeper License
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Columbus State University
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University of Kentucky
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Bucknell University
Coaching Experience
Licenses & Education
Coach Felix
Program Lead
"I've always been interested in opening a sports complex in the future to make sure the community has a safe and fun place to play. I love sports and working with people of diverse backgrounds. My goal with the toddlers is to make sure they have an opportunity to love the sport of soccer like I do and hopefully help to grow the sport in the United States."
