Coaches

Kellington Boddie - Director of Coaching
Kell has coached for 11 years, with the last year being with United. His highest level of playing experience is at the semi-professional level for the Madison 56ers. His “why” for coaching soccer is it gives him endless opportunities to influence, empower, and inspire others while having the opportunity to create an enlightened soccer environment where players can find personal meaning in the sport experience. Coaching at ECU is an opportunity for him to grow, develop, and connect with a new community through soccer. The club Kell supports outside of ECU is Chelsea FC. Kell’s best soccer memory is winning the Illinois State High School Championship. His favorite pregame tradition is listening to a playlist. When not on the pitch for United, Kell enjoys working with the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Varsity Soccer Teams.

Shamus Funk – Assistant Director of Coaching
Shamus has coached for 20+ years, with the last 11 years being with United. He started playing soccer when he was five years old and continued playing until his body got too old to play at the level he wanted. His “why” for coaching soccer is because he loves the sport. He knows that once the players take the field during a game there is very little he can do as a coach; it’s the preparation, work, and development that he provides as coach that prepares the players for success. Coaching at ECU is about sharing a love for the game, while hopefully being able to mix in player development with having fun. Shamus wants to help players find their own solutions and think independently versus dictating how they should play. The clubs Shamus supports outside of ECU are Sevilla FC Femenino and Minnesota United. Additionally, he supports the USWNT. Shamus’s best soccer memory is watching his kids grow up with the game and seeing them celebrate the highs and work through the lows. His favorite pregame ritual is a special way he takes the field. When not on the pitch for United, Shamus enjoys a career as a Chemistry Teacher at CVTC and works with the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Women’s Varsity Soccer Team.

JD Jones - Sporting Director
JD has coached for 15 years, with the last six being with United. His highest level of playing experience is at the collegiate level. His “why” for coaching soccer is his love helping players break through ceilings. Coaching at ECU is an opportunity to show his community pride and development. The clubs JD supports outside of ECU are Manchester City (for men) and Chelsea FC (for women). JD has too many best soccer memories, but most recently it’s coaching with the ECU boys’ team that won President’s Cup. His favorite pregame tradition is his pre-flection. When not on the pitch for United, JD enjoys a career as Associate Head Coach with the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Women’s Varsity Soccer Team.

Ned Noel - TOPSoccer Director
Ned has coached for five years, with the last two and a half years being with United. His highest level of playing experience is at the high school level where he helped his team win a State Championship. His “why” for coaching soccer is to help others learn the beautiful game. Coaching at ECU, and being the TOPSoccer Director, is an opportunity to give children who would not normally have a chance to play the game that opportunity. The clubs Ned supports outside of ECU are Leicester City and locally Minnesota United. Additionally, he supports both Italy and USA’s national team. Ned’s best soccer memory is when he saw Pele speak live at the USA Cup. His favorite pregame tradition is talking with the team to get them excited for the game. When not on the pitch for United, Ned enjoys a career as the City Planning Manager for the City of Eau Claire.

Scotty Lyons
Scotty has coached for 18 years, all being with United. His experience with soccer started as a coach for his children. His “why” for coaching soccer is the opportunity to work with young athletes and instill both soccer skills and life skills and provide them an amazing experience to help build their confidence. Coaching at ECU is a priceless opportunity to not only see a young player improve and develop their skills but also become a great teammate. That moment on the field when it happens, when you see their face light up, fills up Scott’s heart and puts a big smile on his face. The club Scott supports outside of ECU is Chelsea FC. Additionally, he supports both the USMNT and USWNT. Scott’s best soccer memories are his first year of coaching and taking a C2 team from a collection of potential to the State Finals, and watching two of his sons play in the Wisconsin State Soccer tournament. His favorite pregame tradition is the pregame huddle and watching the girls' faces change as they get into game mode. When not on the pitch for United, Scotty enjoys a career as a Sales Director.

Ryan McKone
Ryan has coached for seven years, with the last three being with United. His experience with soccer started as a coach for his children. His “why” for coaching soccer is the opportunity to teach and help children gain confidence through sport. Coaching at ECU means everything because of the community of people, getting to work with his children, and helping support the mission of the club. The clubs Ryan supports outside of ECU are Manchester United, Barcelona, Inter Miami, and KC Current. Additionally, he supports both the USMNT and USWNT. Ryan’s best soccer memories include first getting into soccer following Brazil’s runners-up run in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, being in Italy and watching the reaction to losing the 2000 Euro Cup Final, and now watching his daughters grow as both players and leaders on the pitch. His favorite pregame tradition is giving his daughter(s) a hug. When not on the pitch for United, Ryan enjoys a career as an Infrastructure Construction Executive and owns a local restaurant.

Rick Sosa
Rick has coached for 27 years, with the last three years being with United. His highest level of playing experience is at the professional level for Atlas MX. His “why” for coaching soccer is to pay it forward. Coaching at ECU is an opportunity for him to help someone fall in love with the game, while helping them become a better overall person, while working in a team environment with one common goal. The clubs Rick supports outside of ECU are Atlas MX, Barcelona, Liverpool, AC Milan and locally Minnesota United. Rick’s best soccer memory as a player was playing against AC Milan. As a coach, his best memory was an 0-2 comeback win in a championship game with his daughter’s Salvo team. His favorite pregame traditions are listening to the national anthem and walking the field. When not on the pitch for United, Rick enjoys a career in Banking.

Emma Stange
Emma has coached for four years, all being with United. Her highest level of playing experience is at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire where she captained the team. Her “why” for coaching soccer is she had amazing coaching growing up that pushed her to be the best player she could, and she is hoping to be that coach to players now. Coaching at ECU is an opportunity to stay involved with the sport that she loves, within a community that she loves. The club Emma supports outside of ECU is Manchester City. Additionally, she supports both the USWNT and anything Leo Messi related. Emma’s best soccer memories are placing third at nationals for club and scoring in her last ever university game in the WIAC championship. Her favorite pregame tradition is to do the “juicy wiggle in the shed”. When not on the pitch for United, Emma enjoys a career in Cardiac Rehab.

Jordan Dow
Jordan has coached for seven years, with the last five being with United. He started playing soccer when he was growing up and played at ECU when it was first starting then continued to play varsity high school soccer at EC Memorial. His “why” for coaching soccer is because he loves the game. He loves the strategy, complexity, and athleticism involved in success in soccer. He ultimately has chosen to coach to help and inspire young athletes (including his own kids) to be the best they can be on and off the field. Jordan loves the many life lessons that this sport teaches young athletes and cherishes the opportunity to help them learn these lessons and grow physically, mentally, and emotionally. Coaching at ECU is a privilege and a blessing for Jordan. He loves teaching young athletes how to compete and how to win and lose with pride and grace. Outside of ECU, Jordan supports many different club teams. Jordan’s best soccer memory is when he scored his first header goal off a corner kick. His favorite pregame tradition is dancing to music in the car on the way to the field. When not on the pitch for United, Jordan enjoys a career in Pharmaceuticals.

Brooke Hunwardsen - Girls Technical Director
Brooke has coached for four years, all being with United. Her highest level of playing experience is at the collegiate level. Her “why” for coaching soccer is to share her knowledge and love of the game with the next generation of players. Coaching at ECU is an opportunity to connect and teach with young athletes in her community and help them play at their highest level. While Brooke doesn’t support any club teams outside of Eau Claire United, she does support the USWNT. Brooke’s best soccer memory is during her early days coaching at United when she watched one of her players draw in a defender and rainbow over him and then look at her and smile. Her favorite pregame tradition is to listen to her favorite music. When not on the pitch for United, Brooke enjoys a career as an Account Manager.

Cooper Lyons
Cooper has coached for seven years, all being with United. His experience with soccer started as a U9 player with ECU and continued through U18, as well as playing varsity high school at EC Memorial. His “why” for coaching soccer is his love for the sport and his enjoyment for teaching the critical thinking skills involved in high level soccer. Coaching at ECU is an opportunity to continue to support the club he grew up playing for. The club Cooper supports outside of ECU is Chelsea FC. Cooper’s best soccer memory is playing in the Wisconsin State Soccer tournament in high school. His favorite pregame tradition is setting a one-hour timer before game time and watching everyone lock in as it gets closer to kickoff. When not on the pitch for United, Cooper enjoys a career in Environmental Restoration and Conservation.

STAFF

Kellington Boddie
Director of Coaching - dockboddie@ecusoccer.org

Shamus Funk
Assistant Director of Coaching - adoc@ecusoccer.org

Ashley Ninneman
Club Administrator - admin@ecusoccer.org