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INFLUENCERS

WABA's Influencers' are comprised of leading industry professionals that coach sessions, perform book reviews, guest speak, execute video reviews, direct cognitive & mentality programs, perform leadership workshops, discuss college pathway, advise on pro pathway & inspire WABA leadership to innovate.

Adam Mrowka - CEO WABA, Founder & Director

Patrick Ferguson - WABA Footskills Coach

Lori Elo - Pilaties, TRX & Stretching Instructor

Cole Mrowka - WABA Coach, Pro Footballer

Tony Kees - Author, Coach, Academy Director

Russell Payne - Presenter, NU Head Coach

Marcus DiBernardo - Author, 2X Coach of Year

Brian Roberts - Presenter, Mentality Coach

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Tom Lillig - Author, Motivational Speaker

Nelson Rodriguiz - MLS Chief of Staff

Paul Mc Guiness - EPL Coach

Patrick Mc Cabe - ICM Sports USA President

Anders Ericsson - Professor, Author, Contributor

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ADAM JAY MROWKA
WABA CEO - Innovator - Founder

Our Founder, Adam Jay Mrowka, has a diverse educational and experiential background that makes him uniquely qualified to spearhead a paradigm shift in youth soccer development. Adam's education and experiences teaching in unique cutting edge environments dates back to college where he studied psychology and biology while teaching at Montessori and Loyola's School for Dysfunctional Children. These experiences were the cornerstone of his ability to think outside the box to develop innovative teaching approaches. These methods were tailored to each learner in unique ways that uncovered their greatest growth potential.

 

For over 35 years he has applied his 

understanding of teaching, motivating, and innovating to the corporate world while rising to director of a multi-billion dollar sports and restaurant conglomerate. In the corporate world he developed the cutting edge management training programs "Nine Holes to Better Management" and "Yes, I Can."

• WABA, LLC - CEO & Founder

• Impact - President & Founder

• Chicago Direct - President

• Innovative Youth Coach - 25 Years

• US Soccer Federation Coaching License

• Business Innovation Executive - 35 Years

• University of Illinois - Masters in Business       

  Administration & Strategic Planning

• Loyola University - Biology & Psychology

Adam's passion for teaching led him to coach youth basketball, baseball, and soccer for 25 years. In these capacities he gained insights into the greatest challenges to youth athletic development. Since 2011, Adam has been combining his psychology and biology education, unique teaching insights, employee incentive models, and strategic planning skills with his diverse coaching experiences to create one of the most innovative soccer development programs available in the United States today - WABA development. 

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Adam lives on Chicago's Northshore with his wife. His 16 year old son, Cole, is a pro soccer player who lives in Columbus and plays for the Crew 2. His passions are diverse but all point in the same direction: advancing soccer worldwide, helping others achieve their dreams, innovating and creating works of art, traveling the world, and spending time with his family.

PATRICK FERGUSON
Director of Coaching

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• Coming Soon

LORI ELO
WABA Pilaties, TRX, Bosu, Bands &
Stretching Instructor

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• Coming Soon

COLE MROWKA (2006)
Pro Footballer Columbus Crew
WABA Coach

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• Coming Soon

TONY KEES
U15 Sockers Academy Director
Coach, Author, Artist

 

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• Coming Soon

Paul McGuinness
Man United & Leister City Coach
Footballer, Coach, Video Analysis

 

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• Coming Soon

TBA

 

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• Coming Soon

RUSSELL PAYNE
Northwestern Mens Head Coach
USMNT U19 Assistant Coach

Presenter, Motivator

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• Coming Soon

MARCUS DIBERNARDO
College Coach, Club Director, Author 
2X NCAA Coach of the Year

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• Coming Soon

BRIAN ROBERTS
PASS Academy Director Chicago Fire
Mentality Coach, Consultant

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• Coming Soon

TOM LILLIG
Director Stone Ward Advertising
Author, Motivational Speaker

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• Coming Soon

NELSON RODRIGUEZ
MLS Chief of Staff 
Worldwide Soccer Expert, Speaker

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Rodríguez joined the Fire from the U.S Soccer Federation, where he helped guide the country’s budding soccer talent while serving as Managing Director of National Team Advisory Services. His U.S. Soccer post came after 14 years of experience working in various senior roles in Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing. His last position within MLS was as Executive Vice President of Competition, Technical and Game Operations, where he was responsible for all on-field competition.

During his tenure with MLS and SUM, Rodríguez held a variety of posts including serving as President of Chivas USA during the club’s transitional year. At MLS, Rodríguez initiated and supervised the League's technical committee, expanded the League's scouting and analytics capabilities and was also instrumental in the creation of the Professional Referees Organization (“PRO”). In addition, he supervised supporter relations, safety and security, team travel and the League’s growing sports medicine initiatives.

In previous roles within MLS, Rodríguez served as Senior Vice President of Strategic Business Development where he worked closely with the Commissioner’s Office in areas such as business planning, new business development and strategic alliances and also served as Senior Vice President of SUM International.

Before joining MLS in 2000, Rodríguez served as Director of Soccer Operations for the MetroStars from 1998-1999.

PATRICK MC CABE
President ICM Stellar Soccer USA

Pro Agent, Motivator, Speaker
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• Coming Soon

ANDERS ERICSSON (In Memory)

FSU Professor & Researcher, Author of Peak

Influencer on WABA's FASTTT™ Practice Methodology, Go OTL™ & Get OOCZ™

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• Coming Soon

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