Meet the Synergy SC Directors and Coaching Staff

 Ben got his start playing competitive soccer in Glen Ellyn when he was nine years old. This includes three seasons on the Glenbard West Boys Varsity Soccer team where he, as a team captain, earned all-conference, all-sectional, and all-area honors. He attended Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was a part of the Division I Men’s Soccer team for four years. During his career at Butler the team was NCAA nationally ranked and highly regarded as a top Midwestern soccer program. Ben began coaching with the Glen Ellyn Raiders program in 2003. He also organized and ran the Raiders Youth Summer Camp. He currently holds a ‘C’ level coaching license from US Soccer.  Ben has also worked as a coach for the IL Olympic Development Program and has spent time coaching at the collegiate level.  He holds many other coaching certificate from United Soccer Coaches, including his Youth Director of Coaching Diploma.  In addition to his soccer experience, Ben holds a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing degree from Butler University and has earned his  Secondary Education Teaching Certificate through a Master of Arts in Education program from Benedictine University.  Ben currently lives in Wheaton with his wife, Lisa and their four young daughters.   

George's youth playing career unfolded in Bulgaria, where he also completed his high school and college education. He began his coaching career in 2014, taking on various assistant roles before moving to Champaign, IL, in 2015 to join Illinois FC. George holds a 'B' level coaching license from US Soccer which he obtained in 2022. His coaching journey also includes roles at Green White SC in Des Plaines, IL, and more recently, as a coach and lead of the development phase at Wizard FC in Oak Brook, IL.  George has numerous additional coaching licenses and certificates, including the National Diploma, Goalkeeping Diplomas 1 & 2, and the Performance Analysis Diploma from United Soccer Coaches, as well as the Youth Diploma from Coerver Coaching. Alongside his soccer playing and coaching experience, George is also currently pursuing a degree in Organizational Management and Leadership from North Park University in Chicago, IL.  Residing in La Grange Park, George shares a home with his wife, Sylvia, and their two dogs, Ivar and Korra.

 Hailey first joined Synergy as a player in 2009 and played with the club for five years. She attended Glenbard South High School and was a four-year starter on the Girls Varsity Soccer team. During this time the team was Conference Champions and Regional Champions four years in a row, and Hailey was named to the all-conference team twice and all-conference academic team all four years. Hailey went on to play at the University of Illinois Springfield. Hailey won the Women’s Soccer team Academic Award twice and in her senior year the Capital Scholars Honors Program Student of the Year, and the Outstanding Psychology Student Award. After graduation Hailey moved to Cambodia to serve in the Peace Corps as an English Teacher. In Cambodia, she played in an all-men’s rec soccer league, breaking down gender barriers and stereotypes about women and girls in sports. After the Peace Corps Hailey earned her Masters degree in Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Leadership from Wheaton College. 

Klaus joined Synergy SC in 2025 as out GK coach.  He runs separate sessions for all of our goalkeepers, along with spending time at each of their team training sessions and attending some games.   Klaus has been involved in soccer for 45 years as a player and coach in the Chicago area.   Klaus earned his German FA Coaching Certificate and License from the State of Thuringia Football Association (TFV), an official member of the German Football Association (DFB). He also has his United Soccer Coaches Diploma for Goalkeeping Level 1.