Addison Shrum returns back to the club he spent his youth soccer career at. Addison competed for ASC, then went on to compete for Grand View Men's Soccer for 2 years, and completed his college career at Central College. Addison earned his Bachelor's degree in Business Management from Central College.
Addison joins our coaching staff after gaining valuable coaching experience. His coaching career has taken him through middle school, high school and club coaching, coaching U8 through U15 at his previous club. Addisons coaching experience, knowledge of the Altoona community and business focused mindset is going to make him a great coach for our select teams.
Josh Birchmier has been committed to developing our GPS Iowa boys for the past 5 years and has seen the club transition from AYSA to GPS Iowa. Josh currently holds his USSF 'D' Coaching License and NSCAA Goalkeeping level 1 & 2. Josh has also completed the Iowa High School Coaches license which he puts to good use coacing North Polk High School, after time spent at Indianola High School and Bondurant-Farrer High School.
Along with coaching club and high school soccer, Josh is also a staff coach and goalkeeper coach at Fuerza Futbol Academy.
Deb Greif becomes our Director of Soccer of Operations and Director of Girls, beginning June 2020. Deb became a coach for GPS Iowa in the Fall 2019, progressing to become the Adminstrative Assistant for the club in the Spring. Deb has 5 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level, assistant coaching at Grand View University and Southwestern College, KS. Her Master of Sport Management and Masters in Business Administration will be an asset to running the day to day operations of the club.
Matt Crowl takes on the role of Executive Director for GPS Iowa and Altoona Soccer Club. Matt is no stranger to Altoona soccer, representing the club from age 7, going on to represent Southeast Polk High School before moving on to Wartburg College. Matt became a board member for the club in 2012 and has served as Director of Recreational soccer, Board President and Director of Tournaments.
Matt currently holds his USSF 'E' Coaching License and is the assistant coach for Southeast Polk High School boys team.
Matt's experience will be an integral part in the growth and success of this club. His vision is to promote the development of players and continue to help the club to grow to its potential.
Jorie Kruger has been appointed as our director of goalkeeping. Jorie has experience in playing as a goalkeeper and coaching goalkeepers. Jorie's playing experience was as a member of the Grand View Women's Soccer team where she earned all-conference honors and was a member of the first GV women's soccer team to make it to the NAIA national tournament. Her coaching experience has been with players of all ages including, coaching goalkeepers for Coerver soccer and coaching players for both Coerver and HappyFeet. Jorie has a passion for soccer, her family and for her business, which she owns, Against the Grain Woodworking and Design.
Luke Lopez is a recent graduate of Grand View University. He brings to the club years of playing and coaching experience. As well as competing for Grand View University men's soccer team, Luke has played for Real Sporting de Gijon U18 team (a spanish 2nd division club) and Gijon Industrial (a spanish 3rd division club). He has previously coached youth soccer at Aurora Youth Soccer Academy and Glen Ellyn Park District.
Tyler Hansen joins our coaching staff after competing for the Grand View Men's Soccer team for 4 years. He was a part of the team when they became voted #1 in the nation in 2013. Tyler brings to our club plenty of playing experience, including 12 years of club soccer and 4 years of college soccer. He is a student of the game and loves to be around it. Tyler is actively pursuing his soccer coaching licenses.
Kelsie Hansen joins our coaching staff after competing for the Grand View Women's Soccer team for 4 years where she captained the team in 2016. While at Grand View, Kelsie completed her undergrad education in Kinesiology and Health Promotions, which encouraged her to complete her Masters in Science in Athletic Training. Kelsie has coaching experience with all age groups through helping with summer camps for the Grand View program. Her soccer knowledge, combined with her education, will be put to great use in developing out recreational players, preparing them for the select teams,