Leadership Team
ERIN MEDINA
COO
Erin is a seasoned sports executive with 15 years of leadership experience in youth soccer development and organizational operations. A former Canadian Women’s National Team player and a standout four-year starter for the SMU Women’s Soccer team. Throughout her collegiate career, Erin earned numerous accolades including All-Conference honors, All-American, and Academic All-American distinctions. A key contributor to SMU’s dominance, she helped lead the team to four consecutive Conference Championships, and impressive runs into the NCAA National Championship series.
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Off the field, Erin excelled just as impressively—graduating at the top of her class from the SMU Cox School of Business Summa Cum Laude with a 3.98 GPA. She began her career in marketing and advertising at The Richards Group where she managed new business, media planning and buying for some of the companies key clients including Home Depot, Bridgestone Tire, Fruit of the Loom, and Patron Tequila. But her passion drew her back to the game and she returned to SMU as the Assistant Coach of the Women's Soccer program. She finally found her calling in youth soccer and started a long journey with the Sting Soccer Organization in 2007.
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Erin is veteran of the youth soccer landscape having worn many hats, first as Marketing Director, then Chief Operating Officer, then Director of Youth Development over her 18 year tenure at the Sting Soccer Organization. In more recent years, Erin was instrumental in shaping the strategy and implementation of programs for players aged 13 and under managing a staff of over 50 coaches and directing all aspects of program delivery, league planning, marketing, and staffing for more than 2,000 competitive youth players.
In addition to Erin's most recent work in youth development, she served in a larger role as the Chief Operating Officer for the entire Youth Soccer Organization, overseeing administrative operations across six markets, and leading key initiatives in program management, marketing, business development, mergers and acquisitions, and facility acquisition, supporting a network of over 100 coaches and more than 5,000 competitive soccer players.
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Erin is known for her strategic vision, operational excellence, and deep commitment to the growth and success of youth athletes and soccer programs nationwide. Her journey reflects a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed both academically and athletically. Having walked that path herself, Erin is passionate and committed to facilitating an environment second to none for young players to reach their full potential in the classroom and on the field.
SHANI WILCOX
Director of Education
With over 20 years of experience in education, Shani has dedicated her career to supporting student success and fostering academic growth. She began her journey in the classroom as a teacher’s assistant from 2004 to 2008, gaining valuable insight into student learning and instructional support.
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In 2009, she transitioned into a teaching role, first as a 2nd grade teacher, then 3rd grade, and has been teaching 5th grade since 2013. As a lead teacher for the past eight years, she has taken on additional responsibilities in curriculum planning, mentoring peers, and driving instructional excellence.
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Shani holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education and is certified to teach grades 4–8 in all subjects. She also holds certifications in ESL (English as a Second Language), Reading Academy, and CPR, reflecting her commitment to both academic achievement and student well-being.
FABIAN VEGA
Director of Soccer
Fabian Vega brings over 35 years of elite experience as both a player and coach in the worlds of soccer and futsal. A native of Peru, Fabian began his professional playing career at the age of 18 with Deportivo Municipal in the Peruvian first division. His impressive playing résumé includes stints with top-tier clubs such as Sport Boys (Peru), Dragons (El Salvador), and several U.S. A-League teams including the Long Island Rough Riders, Minnesota Thunder, and Maryland Mania. He also trained and competed with Major League Soccer’s D.C. United and represented his country with the Peruvian National Team.
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Transitioning from player to coach, Fabian has made a lasting impact on the development of soccer and futsal in the United States. He has coached premier clubs, soccer academies, and nationally ranked youth teams across the country. Fabian holds a KNVB Dutch License, USSF A License, NCSAA Level 1 Futsal License, LaLiga Formation Methodology Level 1 certification, and a prestigious FIFA CONMEBOL Professional Coaching License issued by the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF).
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Also a futsal coach, Fabian has led both men’s and women’s professional teams in Virginia and built a youth futsal program that has claimed multiple state, regional, and international championships—including back-to-back titles at the World Futsal Championship.
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In 2018, Fabian founded Ballers Elite, a high-level youth soccer and futsal program focused on supporting development throuhg soccer - now headquartered in Southern California. Under his leadership, Fabian has coached and developed some of the best youth players across the country and Ballers Elite has earned national acclaim and expanded its footprint through strategic partnerships in Virginia, New Jersey, and Texas. As Director of Soccer at Sisu Soccer Academy he will design and lead a player development curriculum that emphasizes not only technical excellence, but also personal leadership.
ALEX JAKUBOV
Director of Technical Development
Coach Alex – Co-Owner & Head Trainer, VOLF Academy (Dallas)
Coach Alex is a former professional soccer player from the Czech Republic and the co-owner and head trainer at VOLF Soccer Academy in Dallas, Texas. His soccer journey began at just five years old, eventually taking him through some of Europe’s top youth academies. He started with FC Košice and later joined the prestigious AC Sparta Prague academy after turning down an offer from FK Austria Wien.
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At 17, Alex signed a youth contract with FC Porto in Portugal—renowned for developing world-class talent. While there, he trained alongside top-tier players like Hulk, Lucho González, Bruno Alves, and Lisandro López. He progressed quickly, becoming a key part of Porto's U19 and reserve teams.
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Alex returned to the Czech Republic at age 21 to begin his professional career. He played in the country's top division with clubs including FC Zlín, FC Baník Ostrava, and FK Senica, and also spent time playing in Germany. Following his retirement from professional soccer, Alex moved to Vancouver, Canada, where he began his coaching career with VOLF Soccer Academy. In February 2023, he and business partner Libor expanded the academy to Dallas, where Alex now serves as head coach.
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Known for his attacking mindset, Alex specializes in shooting and finishing, emphasizing a balance of enjoyment, focus, and discipline in every training session. His mission is to help young players reach their full potential through high-level development and a strong work ethic. Alex's role at Sisu Soccer Academy will focus on accelerating the technical development of the players, collaborating on the technical curriculum that will drive player development, and bringing intensity, passion, and his wealth of experience to the pitch each day.
