Our Staff
Hockey
Bryce Gervais
Director of Hockey
Originally from Battleford, SK, Canada, Bryce has had an extensive career in Hockey, some of his experience includes:
- 3 Seasons in the BCHL (British Columbia Hockey League)
- 4 Seasons with Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks (NCAA Division I)
- FUN FACT: Junior Year finished 2nd in the nation in goals scored with 27
- 3 Seasons with the Chicago Wolves (AHL)
- FUN FACT: 2017 Bryce was awarded the Tim Breslin Unsung Hero Award with the Chicago Wolves
- 1 Season with EHC Olten (Swiss League)
- 2 Seasons with Heilbronner Falken (DEL2)
- 1 Season with Iowa Wild (AHL)
- 1 Season with Stavanger Oilers (Norway League) LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!
Alex Timm
Skills Coach
Jonathan Garcia
Power Skating/Performance Coach
- Two-time (2X) Olympian:
- 2014 Sochi, Russia
- 2018 Pyeongchang, South Korea
- Nine-time (9X) United States National Team Member
- 2017 World Cup Bronze Medalist
- 3rd Place, Team Sprint
- 2017 World Sprint Championships
- 4th Place, 1000 Meters
- 2016 Long Track World Cup Gold Medalist
- 1st Place, Team Sprint
- 2015 Long Track World Cup Silver Medalist
- 2nd Place, Team Sprint
- 2014 Long Track World Cup Gold Medalist
- 1st Place, Team Sprint
- 2012 US Short Track Championships Gold Medalist
- 1st Place, 1000 Meters Time Trial
- Three-time (3X) US Short Track American Cup Champion
Baseball
CJ KOEHLER
Director of Baseball
Originally from Grafton, WI. CJ brings a lot of knowledge when it comes to the game of baseball as he currently serves as an Assistant coach for the UWEC Blugolds baseball team mainly working with hitters and fielding.
Prior to his job with the Blugolds CJ was an assistant coach at Finlandia University where he mainly worked with outfielders while also working with hitters and pitchers. Prior to his time with Finlandia University Koehler was the Varsity Head Coach for Port Washington High School. CJ has also worked for multiple baseball facilities running private/group lessons, camps, and clinics.
ADAM LAROCK
Coach/Instructor
Originally from Eau Claire, WI – Adam has an extensive baseball background and will be assisting our Baseball Staff with programs and offering individual lessons.
- Played at Eau Claire North and made the State Tournament in 2016 while being a 2-time All-Conference Player
- In college played at the University of Iowa, Madison College and UW-Milwaukee
- Participated in the 2017 NCAA Tournament after winning the Big Ten Tournament at Iowa
- Was named the North Central Community College Conference MVP in 2019
- Both pitched and played the field at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- Played for the Eau Claire Express for 3 seasons
BEN DANIELSON
Coach/Instructor
Ben Danielson was a 4-year Varsity Starter for Irondale High School in New Brighton, Minnesota where he played Catcher, Infield and Pitcher. After High School, Ben continued his baseball career at the University of Minnesota Duluth where he was presented All-Tournament honors during the Conference Tournament his Sophomore year. He played catcher, third base, and relieved for the Bulldogs by pitching 10+ innings without a run his senior year. In fall of 2022, Ben relocated to the Eau Claire area where he manages for a local branch of a construction company. Ben loves to throw the frisbee around, play softball, and big game hunt.
STEPHEN SCATASSA
Lead Pitching Coach
- 4 year high school varsity starter in the Chicago Catholic Leauge
- Saint Marys University 4 year starter
- All-MIAC First team 2016
- ABCA Rawlings All- Midwest Second team
- D3 Baseball.com All- Midwest Region First Team
- Pitching Coach at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
DREW STEINMETZ
Lead Skills Coach
- Attended Madison College as a walk-on and played 2 years under Coach Davenport
- Assistant Coach with the Madison Mallards in 2017
- Head Coach for Post 77 Legion from 2017-2019
- Head Assistant Coach at Madison College with Coach Davenport from 2020-2021
Softball
Shelby Acker
Pitching Coach
Melissa Litke
Pitching Coach
Mikayla Hogan
Skills Instructor
A Chippewa Falls native, Mikayla was the starting catcher at Chi-Hi for 4 years resulting in four 1st team All-Conference awards with 2 BRC POY designations, and three 1st team All-State nods while leading the Cardinals to 3 state tournament berths with 2 runner up finishes. Mikayla is also the all time leading scorer for the Chi-Hi women’s hockey team where she was 2x 1st team All-Conference & BRC POY, and 3x 1st team All-State bringing the Cards to state twice with another silver trophy. There was also a much less successful 3 yr Varsity tennis career in there too.
After a successful high school career, Mikayla went off to Division II St. Cloud State University where she was a 4 year captain and starting catcher for the Huskies. There she was a 2x NSIC All-Conference player and currently ranks 1st all time in runners thrown out & pick offs. As well as top 3 in home runs, doubles, RBI, slugging %, and total bases.
Mikayla has been coaching softball and hockey for 18 years ranging from learn to skate kiddos through college athletes. She is thrilled to be joining the VSA staff to continue giving back to the community!
Emma Sather
Skills Instructor
Emma is originally from Chetek, WI. but is currently a student-athlete at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where she is pursuing an Exercise Science degree and is a Pitcher/1st baseman for the Blugolds. She just transferred from the College of St.Scholastica, and is very happy to be back in the area. Emma has been coaching back home for 2 years, and is looking forward to coaching lessons here at Valley Sports Academy. Emma will also be receiving a coaching minor while completing her undergrad, and will continue her education to get her Master’s in Athletic Training. Emma is excited to continue spreading her love and expertise for the game!
Soccer
LIAM NEVIN
Director of Soccer
Emmanuel Boamah
Lead Skills Coach
- Harrisonburg High School Varsity
- Springfield Youth Club
- Eastern Mennonite University Assistant Coach
- West Potomac High School Varsity
- United Soccer Coached All-South Atlantic Region First Team
- VA SID All-State First Team
- All-ODAC First Team
- EDP U-23 National Champions in 2018 with Annandale FC (Cub team) 2016
- VA SID All-State Second Team
- All-ODAC First Team 2015
- All-ODAC Second Team
Chris Brooke
Lead Skills Coach & Trainer
Strength & Conditioning
NICK STIRMEL
Sports Performance Coach
Nick comes to VSA with a degree in Fitness and Health/Exercise Science and a minor in Exercise Physiology. He has his NSCA CSCS Certifications and has spent the last 4 years working as a personal trainer. He also brings a long history of hockey playing and coaching to our VSA team!
Administrative
CHASE HOOPLE
General Manager
PHILLIP J SWILER
Director – Community Engagement
If your business is looking to advertise and sponsor at VSA, Phil is your contact. Phil is responsible for developing our growth by partnering with businesses that align with the VSA Mission.
You may see Phil out in the community sharing the VSA story.
Phil is a Deforest WI area native who is dedicated to impacting the Chippewa Valley. Growing up Phil was a multi-sport athlete playing football, hockey, baseball, and golf. Phil comes to VSA with 32 years of Business Development and Account Management Experience. Phil has extensive sponsorship and advertising experience. For the past 32 years Phil has coached hockey as both a head coach and assistant coach. Coaching the age ranges of 8U to High School. For the past 3 years he has coached at the Squirt Level IN Altoona. He is also one of our VSA Guardian hockey program coaches. Phil continues to play both Hockey and Golf.