Tom Byer

adidas Soccer, Advisor/Japan

• Considered the pioneer of grassroots soccer in Japan.
• Has conducted more than 2,000 events in Japan, instructing more than 500,000 children.
• Presented the Golden Boot Award by adidas International in 1997.

Thursday, January 12 - 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM - "Insight into Japanese Youth Development for Men and Women." - CC - 2103 AB

Friday, January 13 - 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM - "The Importance of Techincal Coaching" - CC - Exhibit Hall D

Saturday, January 14 – 2:25 PM to 3:15 PM - "Insight into Japanese Youth Development for Men and Women" - CC - 2103 AB

View the full NSCAA Convention schedule. 

Jim Cassell

International Academy Manager, Manchester City FC

• The leading force for MCFC’s Youth Academy from 1997 to 2010.
• Developed such stars as Shaun Wright-Phillips, Stephen Ireland, Nedum Onuoha, Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge.
• 37 MCFC Academy graduates have played in the Premiership, another 37 in the Football League.

Friday, January 13 – 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM - "The Leader's Role in the Development of the Elite Performer" - CC - 2102 AB

View the full NSCAA Convention schedule. 

Mike Curry

NSCAA Diversity and Inclusion Committee Chairman, US Men’s National Team Assistant

• More than 37 years experience coaching goalkeepers.
• Selected as an assistant coach for the USMNT on Aug. 9, 2011.
• Has played a critical role in the NSCAA’s efforts as a leader in the area of diversity awareness in soccer.

Thursday, January 12 – 12:45 PM to 1:45 PM - "Goalkeeping Games" - CC - Exhibit Hall D

Satday, January 14 – 2:15 PM to 3:15 PM - "Diversity Awareness: The Decisions Exercise" - CC - 2102 AB

View the full NSCAA Convention schedule. 

Theresa Echtermeyer

Director of Coach and Player Development, Colorado United SC

• Boys and girls varsity coach, Mountain Vista High School.
• Director of Coaching, Highlands Ranch SA.
• A member of the NSCAA Coaching Academy Staff.  
• View Theresa Echtermeyer's Academy Staff profile.

Thursday, January 12 – 12:45 PM to 1:45 PM - "NSCAA Thematic Session "Our Favorite Training Sessions" - CC - Exhibit Hall E

Saturday, January 14 – 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM - "Hot Topics in High School Soccer" - CC - 2104 AB

View the full NSCAA Convention schedule. 

Jill Ellis

Development Director, U.S. Women's National Team

• Compiled a 229-45-11 in 12 seasons as coach at UCLA.
• Former U-20 and U-21 USWNT coach; assistant on the gold-medal winning 2008 Olympic Team.
• Appointed USWNT Development Director in January 2011.
• View Jill Ellis' NSCAA Academy Staff Profile.

Friday, January 13 – 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM - "Moving Our Game Forward: The U. S. Women's National Team Program's Role in Player Development" - CC - 2103 AB

View the full NSCAA Convention schedule. 

Schellas Hyndman

Head Coach, FC Dallas

• Named FC Dallas head coach on June 16, 2008.
• 2010 MLS Coach of the Year.
• Compiled a 368-96-38 record in 24 seasons as coach at SMU.
• NSCAA President, 2005, and a Director of Coaching Emeritus of the NSCAA Academy.

Saturday, January 14 – 2:15 PM to 3:15 PM – “Favorite Sessions of FC Dallas” - CC - Exhibit Hall E

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April Heinrichs

Technical Director, US Women's National Team

• USWNT coach, 2000-05, with an 97-17-20 record and two Olympic medals (gold in 2004, silver in 2000).
• Captain of the 1991 Women’s World Cup championship team.
• Appointed USWNT Technical Director in January 2011.
• View April Heinrichs' NSCAA Academy Staff Profile.

Friday, January 13 – 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM - "Moving Our Game Forward: The U. S. Women's National Team Program's Role in Player Development" - CC - 2103 AB

View the full NSCAA Convention schedule.

Vanessa Martinez Lagunas

FIFA Women’s Soccer Instructor

• Assistant Coach, U-16/U-17 German Women’s National Team.
• NSCAA-Latin American Soccer Coaches Committee Women’s Representative.
• Former player, Mexico Women’s National Team.
• Coaching and playing experience in Mexico, the United States and Germany.

Friday, January 13 – 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM - "Special Considerations to Effectively Coach Female Soccer Players" - CC - 2103 AB

Saturday, January 14 –12:45 PM to 1:45 PM - "Special Considerations to Effectively Coach Female Soccer Players" - CC - Exhibit Hall E

View the full NSCAA Convention schedule.

Kevin McGreskin

UEFA Clinician and Technical Director at Soccer eyeQ

• Since 2008 has been Technical Director at Soccer eyeQ, a specialist coaching consultancy.
• Has worked with the Irish, Scottish and Welsh FAs to develop visual awareness and other essential cognitive, physical and technical skills.

Thursday, January 12 – 2:15 PM to 3:15 PM - "Developing Vision and Awareness" - CC - 2102 AB

Saturday, January 14 – 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM - "Developing Vision and Awareness" - CC - Exhibit Hall D

View the full NSCAA Convention schedule.

Tom Sermanni

Head Coach, Australia Women's National Team

• Head coach of the Australian Women’s National Team since 2005.
• 2007 Asian Coach of the Year.
• Coached the New York Power and San Jose CyberRays of the WUSA.
• Played in Scotland, England and Australia.

Thursday, January 12 – 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM – "Transition Play" - CC - Exhibit Hall E

Saturday, January 14 – 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM - "Women's Soccer in Australia: Changing Philosophy and Perception" - CC - 2103 AB

View the full NSCAA Convention schedule.

Sam Snow

Director of Coaching, US Youth Soccer

• Joined the US Youth Soccer staff in 2003.
• Former US Soccer National Staff Instructor.
• Past coaching experience includes stints at Florida Southern College, University of South Florida, Virginia Wesleyan College and the Region III Olympic Development Program.

Saturday, January 14 – 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM - "U-10 Concept of Triangles" - CC - Exhibit Hall D

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Taylor Twellman

ESPN Commentator, Former Professional Player

• 2005 MLS Most Valuable Player after scoring 17 goals for the New England Revolution.
• Scored 101 goals in 174 appearances with the Revolution.
• Runner-up for the Hermann Trophy and the Missouri Athletic Club Player of the Year in 1999 for Maryland.

Friday, January 13 – 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM – "The Concussion Problem" - CC - 2102 AB

View the full NSCAA Convention schedule.

Peter Vermes

Manager, Sporting Kansas City

• Named manager of Sporting KC in August 2009 after serving as the club’s technical director.
• Earned 67 games with the USMNT.
• Director of Coaching, Blue Valley Soccer Club

Friday, January 13 – 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM – "Approach Play with Finishing in a 4-3-3" - CC - Exhibit Hall D

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Mark Verstegen

Founder and President, Athletes’ Performance

• Handled the fitness preparation for the German National Team prior to the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
• Author of the book Core Performance, which borke into the Amazon top 25 within six weeks of release.
• Assisting coach Jürgen Klinsmann with fitness for the USMNT.

Thursday, January 12 – 2:15 PM to 3:15 PM - "Creating High Performance: The Fundamentals for National Teams through Youth Systems" - CC - Exhibit Hall E

Friday, January 13 – 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM - "Creating High Performance: The Fundamentals for National Teams through Youth Systems" - CC - 2102 AB

View the full NSCAA Convention schedule.

Frank Wormuth

Head Coach, U-20 German Men’s National Team

• Head of the Deutsche Fussball Bund (DFB) Pro License since 2007.
• Appointed the U-20 German National Team coach on July 1, 2010; had a 5-0-1 record in his first six matches.
• Has coached at five different German clubs since 1999, including VfR Aalen.

Thursday, January 12 – 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM - "Coaching the Details - Technique in Tactical Training for Build-Up and Vertical Play" - CC - Exhibit Hall E

Friday, January 13 – 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM - "Coaching the Details - Technique in Tactical Training for Build-Up and Vertical Play" - CC - Exhibit Hall D

Saturday, January 14 – 12:45 PM to 1:45 PM - The "Hot Seat - An Efficient Strategy to Develop Coaches" - CC - 2103 AB

View the full NSCAA Convention schedule.

Eric Wynalda

FOX Soccer Commentator, Former USMNT Player

• Scored 34 goals in 106 appearances with the USMNT (a record at the time).
• Was the first American-born player to play for a top-level German club when he joined Saarbrücken in 1992, earning Best Newcomer of the Year honors.
• Has been an analyst with FOX Soccer and ESPN.

Friday, January 13 – 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM – "Why Not US?" - CC - 2103 AB

View the full NSCAA Convention schedule.