Our Team

Mark joins BC United having most recently worked with FC Boulder as their 11-19 Boys Academy & High-School Director, and prior to that, was Trebol Soccer Club’s Director of Coaching.

Mark currently works with our U13-19 Academy Boys & oversees our Boys’ National Platform; The Elite Academy. BC United’s Academy Program represents the highest level of soccer within the club, and Mark is excited to help create an environment that allows each player to really thrive, grow, and positively express themselves through the game itself. Along with Directing this Program, Mark coaches our U19 Elite Academy Steel & U12 Academy Steel Boys.

Originally from Glasgow, Scotland, football has always been a huge part of Mark’s life and he is an avid supporter of Glasgow Celtic.  Mark came across to the United States in 2010 on a soccer scholarship and played as a center-back at Cumberland University in Nashville, Tennessee. There, he started all four years & eventually became co-captain.

College Athletic/Academic Awards:

–   All Mid-South Conference Soccer Team Selection

–   All Mid-South Conference Academic Team Selection

–   Academic Dean’s List Selection

After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health & Human Performance & a Minor in Psychology, Mark enrolled in the Graduate Program at Cumberland University and earned his Master’s in Sports Management. He worked as a Graduate Assistant on campus in the Academic Enrichment Center (AEC), helping with campus tutors & college testing. During this time, Mark coached for Murfreesboro Soccer Club and managed to win a State Cup in 2016 with their 2000 Girls.

Coaching Credentials:

– USSF B-License

– United Soccer Coaches: Advanced National Diploma & Goalkeeping Level 1

– Scottish Football Association: Youth Badges Levels 1-4

Ongoing:

– USSF A-Youth License (August 2022 start date)

Mark & his wife Reilly reside in Erie with their boxer-staffy mix, Scotia.

Stephanie is originally from California. She attended University of Colorado where she graduated with a BS in Kinesiology.  Immediately after college she moved to Aspen where she was on ski patrol at Aspen Highlands. Moving back to CA after 3 years in the mountains, she began her coaching career and education as the head coach for the girls South High School team, coaching ODP and for a local club and got her USSF D license.

She then jumped into the college level where she was an Assistant at UC Irvine for a year. From there she coached at the College of William & Mary for two years as Assistant as well as running their summer camps and then on to Duke University as an assistant for 5 years.  During that time period she also got her USSF A license and USC Advanced National certificate.

In 2001, the Hempen family moved to Boulder County where she ran the Colorado Soccer Camps and began raising her two kids Emma (22) and Lucas (20).  Since the move to Colorado, she has been heavily involved in the Boulder County soccer community, coaching her own children and giving back by coaching boys and girls of all ages from rec level through the upper levels of the previous club programs.  She was also a PE teacher for 3 years at Dawson Alexander School in Lafayette while was a certified Personal Trainer and Strength Coach working with individuals and athletes to become their best selves.

Stephanie brings the experience of not only coaching but also playing at a high level (National B team and semi pro national champions NC Raleigh Wings) but also the experience from the perspective of a parent who has been through the club level and a son who is now playing in college at the DIII level.

Stephanie, husband Bill, Emma and Lucas, have lived in Louisville CO for 20 plus years. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and walking with her dogs and husband, skiing, mountain biking, playing soccer and traveling.

TJ is originally from Western New York. She attended Allegheny College where she was a Goal Keeper and Graduated with a BS in Biology and Psychology. In 1998, her club coach asked her and a teammate to coach a U14 girls team, thus beginning her coaching career. TJ moved to Colorado in 2002 where she was again asked to coach a CSA adult competitive B team. In 2006, she began coaching the Girls Soccer teams at Denver’s George Washington High School.

In 2008, TJ took a brief break from coaching to pursue her MS in Social Psychology of Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Northern Colorado. After graduating, TJ returned to coaching as the Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS. While in Jackson she also served as an Assistant ODP girls soccer coach. In 2011, TJ was named the Head Women’s Soccer coach at Albion College in Michigan where she spent two seasons rebuilding the program.

TJ then returned to Colorado joining the staff at Rocky Mountain Soccer Camp where she designed training and assessment for goalkeepers attending camp throughout the year. Beginning in 2014, TJ spent six seasons coaching the Girls Soccer teams at Denver North High School, assisting a number of players in obtaining collegiate scholarships. After coaching at North, TJ served as the Varsity Boys Soccer Coach and Varsity Girls Goalkeeper Coach at Eagle Ridge Academy for two years.

In fall 2020, TJ began coaching with Boulder County Soccer Club where she coached both boys and girls competitive teams. She also designed and led U12-U14 Fall technical sessions and the Spring U14 Goalkeeper Camp. Since joining Boulder County United, TJ has coached multiple Premier and Academy teams and assisted with year round Technical and Goalkeeper training.

TJ possesses her USC National Diploma, USC Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma, and USSF D License.

Originally from Southern Illinois, Sean arrived at Boulder in June 2018 after playing two years of professional soccer abroad in Sweden.

A graduate from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville (SIUE) in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics & Finance. During his time at SIUE, Sean played four years of Division I soccer, leading his team to the second round of the NCAA tournament in 2014.

After graduating, Sean played abroad in Sweden with Nybro IF and then later with Skellefteå FF. Sean returned to the States in November 2017 where he began directing and coaching for Elite FT out of Glen Carbon, Illinois.

Sean joined FC Boulder’s staff in June 2018 after deciding to move out of the midwest and seek new challenges. Before being the U9-U12 Academy Director, Sean was the U9-U10 Juniors Director and Marketing Director at FC Boulder. Outside of FC Boulder, Sean has helped develop and move U23+ players on to the professional level.

In 2021, Sean completed his USSF B license and is planning to begin his USSF A License soon.

Sean lives in Thornton with his wife, Chelsea, and their border collie lab mix, Snickers!

Born in Basingstoke, England, Lawrence moved to Colorado 23 years ago. Having been involved with soccer since the age of 3, he has played for multiple competitive organizations including Colchester United’s Youth Academy, Colorado Rush Soccer Club, Evergreen High School and Fort Lewis College.

Prior to being appointed as Boulder County United’s U9-U14 Boys Assistant Academy Director, Lawrence’s time has been spent primarily in Colorado and most recently as the U11-U14 Girls and Boys Competitive Director at BC United. Prior to this he worked as the U11-U14 Girls and Boys Competitive Director at FC Boulder and the Girls Technical Director at Trebol Soccer Club. On the field, Lawrence is currently a USSF B Licensed Coach and has been coaching competitive soccer for 15 years for multiple competitive organizations within Colorado. He also retains a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with a History Minor from Colorado State University.

As Boulder County United’s U9-12 Assistant Academy Boys and Girls Director, Lawrence’s ability to implement age-appropriate soccer programs for players aged 3 thru 15 using necessary techniques to improve players technical skills and tactical awareness while ensuring a secure nurturing learning environment, will be sure to help lead the club towards its exciting future.

Jeff returned to BC United in 2021 after two years away from the club, having spent the time in Minnesota coaching for the men’s program at St. Thomas University.  Simultaneously, he enrolled in a graduate program in the School of Kinesiology at the University of Minnesota in the area of Sport and Exercise Psychology.

He returns to the club in the role of the Director of Education and Positive Youth Development, bringing his years of experience in coaching and parent education to the club, as well as a focus on creating team climates that not only promote youth development, but also reflect growing understandings of mental health issues facing young people today.

A long-time Boulder resident, Jeff has been heavily involved with soccer throughout Colorado for the past twenty years, having previously served the club in various capacities, coached both boys and girls soccer at Fairview High School, and worked on the coaching staff of Women’s Soccer at Regis University.  Jeff earned the USSF A license in 2015, as well as the Premier Diploma from United Soccer Coaches.

A former professor at CU-Boulder, Jeff has particular expertise in teaching and learning, as well as tools and strategies to enhance mental conditioning and psychological skills among both coaches and players.  He and his wife Kelli have three children, each of which are proud alumni of BC United.

While Tony’s extended family lives in Northern Minnesota he grew up in a military family and has lived all over the Western United States and spent close to a decade living in Europe where his passion for the game took hold. After returning to the United States he attended Mesa State College where he played two years of club soccer.

In 1998 Tony began his coaching career with the Fort Collins Soccer Club while also coaching the Colorado State Men’s Club Soccer program from 2000-2003. After leaving Fort Collins he spent the following 8 years living in Seattle working for Crossfire Premier and Seattle Public Schools. His time in the Pacific Northwest has left him an ardent Seattle Sounders supporter.

Prior to joining FC Boulder in 2019 he had spent the previous 8 years in Colorado working as the Director of Academies for St. Vrain FC and a Director of Coaching for Arsenal Colorado. During his time in Fort Collins, he earned the 2015 Coach of the Year – Boys Competitive honors, while also leading the ’97 boys to a State Cup Championship. Tony holds a USSF ‘B’ license has been a state instructor for the ‘D’ & ‘E’ Licenses.

Tony currently lives in Firestone with his wife Simone and their two sons Logan and newest family member 6month old Lachlan Harris. Beyond the soccer field Tony enjoys hiking, camping, boating, and generally being outdoors.

Originally from Duluth, Georgia, Clare and her family moved in 2016 to Colorado. She played competitive soccer and attended North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega, GA to receive a bachelor’s degree in English Education with a minor in Leadership. Clare’s first job ever was coaching and officiating soccer at a local indoor soccer facility. This job early as a young teen inspired her passion to coach and work to grow the soccer community.

For 12 years as an Army family, Clare taught English and coached in Georgia, Tennessee, Arizona, and Washington state before settling down and calling Colorado ‘home.’ Being an Army family taught Clare how to adapt and learn from any situation and make every moment matter.

Clare joined FC Boulder as a coach in 2018, starting in the Juniors Program and currently coaches within the Academy Program at BC United. Clare holds his U.S. Soccer C License and plans to pursue her B license in 2022. She is passionate and dedicated to coaching her teams and creating a positive environment for growth and development.

Outside of being at the SPC or soccer field, Clare loves to spend time and travel with her husband, Collin, and daughters, Ellen and Abby, and dog, Stryker. At home, she enjoys watching soccer, being outdoors, reading, and the occasional jigsaw puzzle.

Born and raised in Chicago, IL, James joins Boulder Counted United after spending the past seven years working at the club, college, state, and semi-professional level(s) across Illinois. Most recently, James was the Director of Goalkeeping with Lyons Township Soccer Club while also serving as the assistant coach for Elmhurst University Women’s soccer as well as acting as the associate head coach and goalkeeper coach for the Chicago Dutch Lions (WPSL, USL-W, USL-2). James also earned his Master’s Degree in Sport Administration from Northwestern University in 2020.

A goalkeeper by trade, he played collegiately at Lake Forest College before transferring to Wittenberg University to obtain his BA in Sports Management in 2015. Over the course of his collegiate career, he amassed over 40 appearances and was credited with over 250 saves while earning recognition from both the university and conference for his accomplishments. At the conclusion of which, James spent 8 months in San Jose Costa Rica in the Segunda División de Costa Rica, training with Aserrí FC before joining Club Deportivo Barrio Mexico’s development squad before kicking off his transition into coaching. 

During his time coaching in Chicagoland, James was the Director of Goalkeeping for ELA SC (’21), Team Chicago (’19-’20), and Lombard Firebirds (’17-’19). He also served on the IL ODP staff for four successful seasons (’17-’20), winning the Puma Cup in 2018 with the ‘08B group. In 2019, he co-founded GK Factory and began organizing private goalkeeper training programs for players seeking to further develop their technical, tactical, physical, and mental capabilities. He also has extensive collegiate coaching experience and has assisted in the athletic and academic achievements of numerous collegiate athletes across every division level over the past five years. Last summer, James was added to the coaching staff for the newly formed WPSL Chicago Dutch Lions. The squad finished 2nd at the conclusion of their 2021 inaugural season behind the Chicago Red Stars which led to James assisting in the expansion and creation of the franchise’s USL-W and USL-2 initiative.

He has earned:

– USSF C

– USC GK Level 3

– USC College Coach Diploma & NCAA Recruiting Certification

– GK Nexus: Eric Steele GK Mentorship Diploma

James is thrilled to kick off his time with BC United and will be relocating the greater Boulder area in the coming weeks. 

Kim was born and raised in Boulder Colorado. Her dad Arturo Ramirez is from Zacatecas Mexico and her mom Veronica Ramirez is also a Colorado Native. Kim has two sisters, Dre & Mayra and two furry brothers Neo & Koda.

Kim has been playing soccer since she was 6 years old. She played for FC Boulder and was a varsity player at Boulder High School. Kim then received a full academic scholarship to Metropolitan State University of Denver. She graduated May 2021 with a Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science and a minor in Nutrition. In 2018 Kim became a soccer coach for FC Boulder and has been coaching ever since! 

Kim lives in Longmont with her boyfriend Abe, in their free time you can find them hanging out in their hammocks, off-roading, traveling, watching or playing soccer with their buddies!

Born in Fort Collins, Colorado, Max joins BC United excited and eager to learn. Max started coaching in Tübingen, Germany while living there. He started coaching in the US when he joined FC Boulder in 2019 as a competitive coach, as well as supporting his former high school, Poudre High in Fort Collins. He finished his USSF C license this year, and will go on to his B license in 2023. Max looks to bring his passion and knowledge of the game to the club and the teams he works with.

Max spent time playing for FC Storm and Arsenal Colorado in Fort Collins during his teenage years, before moving on to play in the German amateur system for TV Erkheim, Germany.

Max graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in 2021 with a bachelors in Sport Administration.

Outside of soccer, Max enjoys travelling abroad, and tasting the different cuisines of the world. His favorite hobby when not on the fields is to watch the Bayern play. Mia San Mia