Fox Valley Sports Academy
1625 Dundee Ave. (Route 25)
Elgin, IL 60120
Phone: (847) 622-8700 • Fax: (847) 742-9238
mail@foxvalleysportsacademy.com
Fox Valley Sports Academy has assembled the finest professional coaching and instructional staff in the Midwest. Each coach listed will be giving instruction during the fall and winter months of 2009-2010. Some coaches are available year round while others work at the academy during the professional offseason. A short bio regarding the coaches' playing and coaching experiences of the past and present are listed as well as their areas of expertise and number of years with Fox Valley Sports Academy noted in parenthesis.
Each coach has designated dates, days and times when they are available to provide private and group instruction at Fox Valley Sports Academy. To find out when a particular coach is available (days, dates & times), contact the academy at mail@foxvalleysportsacademy.com or call (847) 622-8700.
Current Lesson Rates and Policies are available on our Lessons page. Additional information regarding Group Lesson plans & Team Training sessions can also be found on the lessons page. Lesson reservations must be prepaid.
Bill Angelo, Instructor, Baseball Hitting & Catching (2)
Coach Angelo is in his 11th year as the head baseball coach of ECC and his first year at Fox Valley Sports Academy. In his previous ten seasons, the coach has brought a sense of pride to the program, building a winning tradition at ECC where the Spartans have made four consecutive trips to the NJCAA DII World Series.
Coach Angelo received the 2002 and 2003 Skyway Conference Men's Sports Coach of the Year Award. Last season, he was named Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference, Region IV and North District Coach of the Year. Under his leadership, more than 50 players have moved on to compete at the university level, 12 were named All-Americans and nine players have been drafted. Coach Angelo brings enthusiasm to the field everyday and believes hard work and passion are necessities for success. Coach Angelo is available during the winter months for both group and private instruction.
Buzz Capra, Instructor, Speaker, Baseball Pitching (10)
Buzz Capra is a former Major League pitcher with the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves. Following a sparkling minor league career, which included 44 wins to 18 losses and a career 2.86 ERA, Capra pitched his way into national prominence in 1974, while with the Atlanta Braves.
Capra posted a 16-8 record and was named to the National League's All-Star team by Yogi Berra. Buzz led the Major Leagues with a 2.28 ERA and finished within the top ten for Cy Young voting in 1974 as well as receiving votes for NL MVP the same year.
Previous to his professional career, Capra pitched at Illinois State University -- a team that won the College Division National Championship in 1969. In 2004, Capra's jersey number (9) was retired during a ceremony at Redbird Field.
Coach Capra spent over 20 years as a professional pitching coach in several minor league systems, most recently with the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets.
Coach Buzz is available year round for private and group pitching instruction at Fox Valley Sports Academy.
Joe Colucci, Instructor, Baseball Hitting & Fielding (2)
Coach Colucci is a former Division III athlete for North Park University's baseball program. At North Park, Colucci led his team in most offensive and defensive categories including home runs, slugging percentage, RBI, and fielding percentage, leading to All-Conference honors.
Prior to Joe's collegiate career, he attended Taft High School, earning All City and All Area honors. Joe joined the Fox Valley Sports Academy staff in 2009 and is available year round for private instruction.
Jaci Corn , Instructor, Softball Hitting & Fielding, (3)
Coach Corn is one of the newest member of the Fox Valley Sports Academy staff. She is a former high school and collegiate standout who graduated from Elgin High School in 2002 and is currently completing her Master of Education in Sports Management at Northern Illinois University.
During her playing years at Elgin, the left-handed first baseman/outfielder was named to the Upstate Eight Conference (UEC) All-Conference team, as well as being a Daily Herald and Courier-News All-Area player for three straight years. In 2002, Jaci was the Elgin High Female Nominee for the Wendy's Heisman Award and was a recipient of an Elgin Sports Hall of Fame Foundation Scholarship Award.
Jaci was also an All-Conference player at Elgin Community College and a Region IV All-Region team selection. While at Judson University, she was named Eagles' Defensive Player of the Year the two years she played there.
Jaci has also played travel softball since 1997. At the youth level, she played with the Fox Valley Renegades and Elgin Heat and played on two of the best teams those organizations have had. Since 2004 she has played for the Northern Illinois Lightning 18 & over team, twice being part of teams that finished third in the USSSA World Series. Jaci is available for slap hitting/hitting instruction, fielding and throwing.
Jerry Donahue, Instructor, Baseball Pitching & Hitting (11)
Coach Donahue is a former minor league pitcher with the Detroit Tigers organization (AAA). Jerry recorded an impressive 32-9 lifetime record coupled with a career 2.81 ERA during his professional career. Jerry's career also included two minor league all-star appearances with the Tiger's organization. Jerry was inducted into the St. Viator's Sports Hall Of Fame in 2001 for his professional baseball achievements.
Jerry Donahue has been offering private and group pitching instruction in the Chicago area for over 20 years. Many of his students have continued their careers at the collegiate and professional levels.
Coach Donahue is available for private and group pitching or hitting instruction and is a lead camp instructor during the winter and summer months at Fox Valley Sports Academy.
Ben Erickson, Instructor, Baseball Pitching & Hitting (10)
Coach Erickson is a former scholarship collegiate pitcher and outfielder with several years of group and camp instruction at Fox Valley Sports Academy. As a player, Erickson was Judson College's first Chicagoland Collegiate All-Conference Player in 1999 and was also an NAIA All-Region selection the same year.
Coach Erickson has spent time as a high school and volunteer assistant coach at the college level. Currently, Coach Erickson is the assistant varsity baseball coach at South Elgin High School and also serves as an associate scout with the Baltimore Orioles organization.
Coach Ben is available year round for private and group instruction and is a lead camp instructor at Fox Valley Sports Academy during the winter and summer months.
Liz Feehan, Instructor, Softball Pitching and Hitting (3)
Coach Feehan is a 2007 graduate of Judson University where she was a tri-captain and participated in the NCCAA (Christian College Nationals). Coach Feehan pitched for Judson University as well as Elgin Community College where she lead the Lady Spartans to back-to-back record setting wins in a season ('05 - '06). Coach Feehan was also named to the All-Academic Team in '05 and '06 at ECC.
In 2007, Liz worked in the front office for the Rockford Thunder Pro-Fastpitch team (NPF).
Starting in the Spring of 2010, Coach Feehan will join the Harlem High School's softball program as a Junior Varsity assistant coach.
Coach Feehan is available for private lessons, camps and clinics for both pitching and hitting lessons at Fox Valley Sports Academy in 2009 and 2010.
Mike Hawkins, Instructor, Softball/Baseball Hitting (4)
Coach Hawkins played at Judson College from 1993-98. He started with the Lady Eagles softball program in 2000, moving to head coach in 2003. In his first year of heading the program, the Lady Eagles made their first regional playoff appearance in school history. During his time there, they set team records in wins, hits, runs scored, RBI, and extra base hits. Players also set numerous individual hitting records under his tutelage.
Coach Hawkins is currently the assistant coach at Elgin Community College for the Lady Spartans softball team, and assists with various Fox Valley Sports Academy camps. He is currently available year round for group and private lessons.
Mike Hlavacek, Instructor, Baseball Hitting & Pitching (*)
Mike started his collegiate career at Elgin Community College where he was selected as an NJCAA All-American pitcher (11-0 record) in 2005.
Mike went on to play for the Illinois State Redbirds in 2006-07 and led the team in saves with 6 in 2006 and had 11 starts in 2007. Coach Hlavacek is currently a coach at Prairie Ridge High School and is available for group and private instruction year round.
Randy Kaczmarski, Instructor, Hitting & Fielding (10)
Coach Kaczmarski is a former minor league infielder, having played for both the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cub farm systems. In addition to his professional playing career, Randy has also worked as a professional scout in recent years with several organizations.
Coach "Kaz" has been instructing for nearly twenty year as a private hitting instructor as well as lead camp instructor for many of Fox Valley Sports Academy’s winter programs. Coach Randy is also a camp evaluator and lead instructor for the academy's Annual High School Baseball Advanced Camp every January.
Randy is available year round for both private and group hitting and fielding instruction at Fox Valley Sports Academy.
Jim Kating, Instructor, Hitting & Catching (10)
Coach Kating is a former two-time minor league all-star from the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Playing primarily as a catcher, Jim was also played in the Oakland Athletics system.
Previous to his professional career, Coach Kating enjoyed a successful high school and junior college career, earning All-State honors at Fremd High School and All-American honors while at Triton College. Coach Kating still holds records at Triton College, including a staggering single season homerun total of 25 HRs in 1986.
Coach Jim is currently the Head Baseball Coach at South Elgin High School; he is also a football coach during the fall. Coach Kating is available for private and group lessons during the winter at Fox Valley Sports Academy.
Justin Kees, Instructor, Baseball Pitching (8)
Coach Kees rejoins the Fox Valley Sports Academy staff for 2008. He is currently the Associate Head Coach at Elgin Community College, a program which has been to the NJCAA World Series each of the last four seasons. Last season he helped the Spartans to fifth place at the NJCAA World Series and led the pitching staff to a combined 3.51 ERA. Since his arrival at the college, the Spartans have averaged 44 wins a season and Coach Kees has produced three All-American pitchers in four seasons.
Prior to coaching, Coach Kees played professionally in the Arizona Diamondbacks' organization and posted a .625 winning percentage in back-to-back seasons with Lethbridge, a Rookie-Class team where he went 5-3, and High Desert, a Class-A team where he went 6-2. Coach Kees played locally with the Schaumburg Flyers. His career professional record, which spanned over four seasons, was 20-13.
In January 2002, Coach Kees was named pitching coach of the Rockford RiverHawks, an independent team in the Frontier League. Under Coach Kees, Rockford's pitching staff ranked second in the league with a 3.88 ERA. In the 2001 season, he was varsity pitching coach at Barrington High School, where he helped the staff post a 23-10 record.
Coach Kees is available for private and group lessons on a year round basis.
RC Lichtenstein, Instructor, Hitting, Pitching & Catching (10)
Coach Lichtenstein has over 14 years of professional coaching experience, primarily as a pitching coach with the Milwaukee Brewers minor league system and the Tampa Bay Rays system. His teams made the playoffs in three of his first four seasons and in 1999 his staff led the Rookie level Pioneer League in ERA. In 2003, Coach RC became the manager of the Alexandria Aces professional baseball team (Louisiana). The following season, RC was the pitching coach of the Central League Champion Edinburgh Roadrunners (2004).
In 2005 and 2006 Coach RC was the pitching coach for the Tampa Bay Rays Midwest league affiliate. In 2007, RC became pitching coach for the Tampa Bay Rays Florida State League team in Vero Beach, FL.
Coach Lichtenstein has worked over ten years as a pitching coach and three as a Manager and Director of Baseball Operations. Coach Lichtenstein has also taken two USA Select teams on tours of Holland, Belgium & Aruba as well as having spent the last decade specializing in private and camp instruction.
In 2001, RC Lichtenstein authored a book entitled, "Preparing to Win: The Complete Pitcher." In 2003, RC produced a one-hour video follow-up to his book. Both instructional items are on sale at Fox Valley Sports Academy.
Coach RC is available for group and private instruction during the winter months at Fox Valley Sports Academy.
Pat Meginniss, Instructor, Baseball Hitting & Catching (3)
Pat Meginniss started his career as a two year varsity award winner for Elgin High School. Then became a Elmhurst College Bluejay, where he was a four year varsity award winner and three year starter with career batting average of .320 and career on-base percentage of .380; his career fielding percentage (catcher) was .975.
He was awarded Most Improved player in 2006, Gold Glove in 2007, and Coach's Award for leadership and outstanding play in 2008. He was also voted team captain in 2008. In addition, Coach Meginniss coached an 18U travel baseball team in 2008 for college-bound players.
Coach Meginniss has been assiting with catchers/hitting instruction for Fox Valley Sports academy since 2004. Coach Pat is available for instruction at the academy year round.
Jose Mieses, Instructor, Baseball Pitching (*)
Jose Mieses is a former professional pitcher with the Milwaukee Brewwers and the Chicago White Sox organizations. Jose advanced to the AAA level in both. While playing in the Dominican Republic, Jose tossed a no-hitter in 1997. 2001 and 2002 saw Jose being placed on the 40-man roster for the Brewers and was invited to Major League spring training. Jose was named pitcher of the month serveral times during his minor league career, and was also one of the club's top prospects.
Coach Mieses is available year round for private and group instruction starting in the fall of 2009 at Fox Valley Sports Academy.
Ken Nagler, Instructor, Baseball Hitting, Pitching & Fielding (5)
Coach Nagler is a former collegiate pitcher from Winona State University in Minnesota. Prior to his college playing experience, Ken was a four-year player at Elk Grove High School. Coach Nagler's playing experience also included a stint pitching for the Winona Chiefs a summer travel, an organization that has been in existence for over 50-years.
Ken has worked closely with several successful local travel organizations as well as with area training camps. Currently he is the manager of the Fox Valley Royals 16U American team. Ken has also spent time as the pitching coach for the Judson University Eagles.
Coach Nagler specializes in private and group instruction and joined the Fox Valley Sports Academy staff full time in 2005. Ken is available for private and group instruction year round at Fox Valley Sports Academy.
Jon Novak , Instructor, Baseball Hitting & Pitching (2)
Coach Novak is a former area high school standout and collegiate pitcher from Judson College. Before joing the Judson Golden Eagles program, Jon was a three year varsity letterman at Hampshire High School, earning all conference and all area awards in 2004, 2005, and 2006. During his Varsity pitching career, Jon posted a 10-2 record with a 3.68 ERA, and hurled 4 shutouts, including 3 consecutive shutouts during an impressive 27 consecutive scoreless inning streak. Coach Novak also became one of the area's first four year American Legion players for Elgin Post 57(2004-2007).
Coach Novak is all employed full time by Fox Valley Sports Academy and serves as the director of baseball operations. Jon is available year round for private instruction.
Stacy Nowak , Instructor, Softball Pitching (*)
Bio coming soon!
Jim Richardson, Instructor, Baseball Hitting & Catching (2)
Coach Richardson is a former NJCAA and NCAA scholarship athlete. After earning four Varsity letters playing baseball at West Chicago High School, Coach Richardson went on to play at Elgin Community College and finished his career at The University of South Carolina-Upstate. While at ECC and USC-U Coach Richardson was at or near the top off every offensive category.
Coach Richardson has five years of professional instruction experience and is currently an Assistant Coach at St. Charles North High School. He specializes in hitting and catching instruction.
Becky Stenning, Instructor, Softball Pitching (4)
Coach Stenning joined the Fox Valley Sports Academy staff in 2005. Becky is the current head softball coach at Judson University (Elgin, Illinois). Previous to Judson University, Stenning spent three years as an assistant coach at Illinois Wesleyan University under head coach Beth Williams. As part of the staff, Stenning helped guide the Titans to a third-place finish at the NCAA Division III World Series in 2003, an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2002 and three straight regular-season CCIW championships. The Titans also won the CCIW Tournament Championship in 2002 and 2003. In 2003, the coaching staff earned CCIW Coaching Staff of the Year.
Stenning was a four-year player for Illinois Wesleyan from 1998-2001. Her teams made NCAA Tournament appearances in 2000 and 2001. As a senior she was a team captain and also received the Gwen Meyer Award for Outstanding Leadership, Sportsmanship and Hard Work. She was on the Dean's List and earned the Order of the Titans Award for Community Service and Leadership.
In 2001, Stenning graduated from Illinois Wesleyan with a Bachelor's Degree of Science in Mathematics. Following graduation Stenning joined the IWU coaching staff while also completing her Master's Degree at Illinois State University. In 2003, she earned her Master's of Science in Kinesiology and Recreation.
Coach Stenning is available for private as well as group pitching instruction at Fox Valley Sports Academy.
Anne Vogt, Instructor Softball Hitting, Pitching & Fielding (9)
Coach Vogt [VOTE] is a former high school and collegiate standout from the Fox Valley area. While at Larkin High School (Elgin, Illinois) Anne was three-time All Area selection as well as the Courier News' Player of the Year in 1992. Coach Vogt was also an NJCAA All-American at Elgin Community College and also received NAIA All-Region honors at Judson College (Elgin, IL).
Following her playing career, Anne became the assistant softball coach at Elgin Community College from 1997-1998 and became Head Coach at ECC from 1998-2000. In 2002, Coach Vogt returned to the Elgin Community College softball program where she is currently Head Coach. The 2006 campaign for the Lady-Spartans saw Vogt's squad break the Elgin Community College record for wins in a season; Vogt was chosen as the Skyway Conference Coach of the year in 2006. The 2009 season saw the Lady-Spartans become Skyway Conference champions and Coach Vogt was again named Skyway Conference Coach of the year.
Anne is also the Director of Softball Operations at Fox Valley Sports Academy. She is responsible for designing and maintaining many of the academy's softball programs and is a lead instructor for all of the academy's softball winter and summer camps; she is available for group and private instruction on a year round basis at Fox Valley Sports Academy.
(#) Indicates Number of years instructing at Fox Valley Sports Academy (*) First Year • Updated 7/16/10