Contact: Alvaro Garcia-Velez, Executive Director
414.358.2678 ext. 202
alvarogv@mksc.org
MILWAUKEE, WI (September 10, 2012) – The Milwaukee Kickers Soccer Club, a nonprofit organization and unifying force in the greater Milwaukee community proudly celebrating 45 years of soccer leadership in 2013, announces the addition of four certified, experienced coaches to its staff.
Marcelo Fontana, who at age 19 signed the first professional player contract in his homeland Argentina, moved to the United States in 1995 to play for a number of professional soccer teams including the Seattle SeaDogs, Florida ThunderCats, Wichita Wings and Milwaukee Wave. While with the Wave, he was named team co-captain and was part of the 2005 championship team. After an impressive playing career, Fontana transitioned from player to coach including positions as Director of Coaching for the Milwaukee Kickers’ Nicolet Soccer Club, Assistant Director of Coaching for Mequon Soccer Club and Coach of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) Omaha Vipers.
Jason Rienzi began his soccer career with the Mequon Soccer Club and went on to play for the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Men’s Soccer Team. While playing for UWM, he was drafted by the Milwaukee Wave, went on to play for the Chicago Stingers in the USISL and was drafted in the WISL first round to the Salt Lake City Freeze where he finished his professional soccer career. Post professional play, he returned home to Shorewood and became the University School of Milwaukee’s Head Coach for Varsity Boys (12 seasons) and Varsity Girls (7 seasons) celebrating a Division III Championship in 2008.
Paul Sanchez grew up playing soccer for the Milwaukee Kickers, Tosa Kickers and Marquette High School before going on to become the MVP and captain of the Marian University Men’s Soccer Team. His honors include a place on All Conference, All District, All Area V and Mid East NAIA teams as well as Honorable Mention All-American NAIA Player. After college, Sanchez played for the Milwaukee Kickers’ Majors as he transitioned to coaching. His coaching accomplishments include a Wisconsin State Championship for the Marquette High School Boys Varsity Team and seven years as the Tosa Kickers’ Youth Coach. Sanchez will be inducted into the Inaugural Class of the 2012 Marian University Athletic Hall of Fame this year.
Amanda Winn-Camilli also grew up as a Milwaukee Kicker spending the majority of her youth under the direction of her father, the Tosa Kickers’ Director of Coaching for over 20 years. She went on to play in the Olympic Development Program and as a member of the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Division I Women’s Soccer Team. After graduation, Winn-Camilli returned to her Wauwatosa roots to work in the Wauwatosa School District.
“These highly qualified coaches are primed to take active leadership roles because they have coached both boys and girls at advanced levels, have professional or collegiate playing experience, are licensed by the state, and remain current on the game’s evolution as it pertains
to our players,” said Alvaro Garcia-Velez, Milwaukee Kickers Soccer Club Executive Director and coach. “They are driven by their soccer expertise and their passion for the future of soccer in our community.”
Fontana, Rienzi, Sanchez and Winn-Camilli join Jerry Panek, Milwaukee Kickers’ Director of Coaching, and Michael King, Milwaukee Kickers’ Camp Director, to round out the coaching staff.
To learn more about the Milwaukee Kickers Soccer Club’s competitive and recreational, youth and adult soccer leagues, programs and camps, visit http://www.mksc.org.
ABOUT MILWAUKEE KICKERS SOCCER CLUB
Milwaukee Kickers Soccer Club, a nonprofit organization and unifying force in the community proudly celebrating 45 years of soccer leadership in 2013, strives to enrich the lives of adults and youth in the greater Milwaukee area by providing soccer to everyone no matter their size, shape, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. The club serves more than 6,000 youth members through recreational and select teams in 14 communities across southeast Wisconsin each year, and is committed to ensuring everyone can continue to play soccer while instilling a lifelong passion for the game. For more information, visit http://www.mksc.org.
