We are pleased to announce that Lake Zurich resident Derek Niepomnik, with over 20 years of youth and college coaching experience has joined Ela Soccer’s coaching staff.  He started his coaching career at the NCAA Division 1 schools of Northern Illinois University, University of Cincinnati and St. Bonaventure University (NY).  He then went on to become the Head Coach at Benedictine University in Lisle and Lake Forest College.

After leaving the college coaching ranks, Derek was the Director of Coaching with the Greater Libertyville Soccer Association (GLSA) and most recently the Director of Coaching with the Palatine Celtic SC. Derek currently holds his USSF A license and US Youth Soccer National Youth License. Growing up, Derek was a High School All American at Maine South High School in Park Ridge, 4 year starter at Northern Illinois University and played professionally with the Rockford Raptors of the USISL. 

"Ela Soccer continues to enhance our coaching staff by bringing in additional experienced, elite level coaches and Derek is no exception," said Doug Anderson, Ela Soccer President. "Derek's experience in both playing and coaching in college along with his numerous years coaching at large established soccer clubs will be a tremendous addition to Ela Soccer's players and parents, not only to those that wish to play at that level, but all players that are looking to improve and be pushed to simply become better," Anderson continued.

Ela Soccer's upcoming 2013/2014 season is about "One Goal", whereby each and every player's one goal is to improve and strive to be better today than they were yesterday by doing whatever it takes to get there.