Expert designed soccer programming for ages 2+

About Steve Locker

Steve founded Locker Soccer in 2004 when he discovered that there was a valuable connection between fun, sports and childhood development. He later founded Second Nature Sports in 2013 to share his coaching philosophy with others. He holds a Master of Education degree. Steve has 16 years of collegiate head coaching experience including: 7 years at Harvard University, 3 years at the University of Rochester and 6 years at Otterbein College. Steve’s coaching career includes 8 League Championships, including 2 Ivy League titles. He has coached players that have been drafted by the MLS, several All Americans and over a dozen Academic All Americans. His 1996 Harvard squad finished the season with the nation’s longest win streak that year (16 games) and finished the season ranked 7th nationally of all Division I schools. He played collegiate soccer for Penn State and internationally for Hannover 96 in Germany. Steve holds the distinction of being the first American to earn a professional coaching diploma from Germany. He has worked with A.C. Milan’s top team in Italy and has been the only American to be offered a position working with their youth players on their Academy staff. Steve resides with his wife Cindy and two children, Scott and Chloe, in Upper Arlington, Ohio.

Steve has 16 years of collegiate head coaching experience including 7 years at Harvard University, 3 years at the University of Rochester and 6 years at Otterbein College. Steve’s coaching career includes 8 League Championships, including 2 Ivy League titles. He has coached players that have been drafted by the MLS, several All Americans and over a dozen Academic All Americans.

His 1996 Harvard squad finished the season with the nation’s longest win streak that year (16 games) and finished the season ranked 7th nationally of all Division I schools. He played collegiate soccer for Penn State and internationally for Hannover 96 in Germany. Steve holds the distinction of being the first American to earn a professional coaching diploma from Germany.

He has worked with A.C. Milan’s top team in Italy and has been the only American to be offered a position working with their youth players on their Academy staff. Steve resides with his wife Cindy and two children, Scott and Chloe, in Upper Arlington, Ohio.

Steve Locker's Qualifications

Founder, Owner, Coach at Locker Soccer for 19 years
Head Collegiate Coach for 16 years
Worked with A.C. Milan in Italy
Holds a Professional Coaching Diploma from Germany
Played professionally at Hannover 96 in Germany
Holds a Master of Education degree
Played collegiately for Penn State
Won 8 Championship Titles in 16 years of collegiate coaching

Our Coaching Staff

Coach Mike

Coach Mike joined Locker Soccer in 2005. Mike has been involved with the sport of soccer in many different capacities. He played collegiate soccer at Otterbein University, graduating in 2005, and played 2 years at the Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh. For over three decades, Coach Mike has shared his profound understanding of the game through coaching.

His expertise has spanned the entire spectrum of age groups, from nurturing young talents at the U-8 level to molding aspiring players in the U-21 category, for both boys and girls. His dedication and commitment to youth development shine through in his role as the current coach of our Elite U-9 boys. Coach Mike has also been a successful high school coach having been the assistant head coach at Westerville North and 7 years as the head coach at Village Academy.

One of Coach Mike’s most cherished memories was being invited to accompany one of his Village Academy players to the All-State ceremony. On this remarkable occasion, his player honored with All-Ohio honors, a testament to Coach Mike’s dedication, mentorship, and the profound impact he has had on his players’ lives.

With Coach Mike’s unwavering commitment, vast experience, and indomitable spirit, Locker Soccer is privileged to have him at the helm, driving excellence and passion for the beautiful game. His journey through soccer continues to inspire and uplift all those who have the honor of working with him.

Coach Lis

Introducing Coach Lis!

With a lifelong love for soccer, Coach Lis’s journey in the sport began as a dedicated player during her high school years. However, her true calling emerged when she transitioned to the role of coach. For an impressive 12 years now, Coach Lis has been inspiring young athletes, nurturing their talents, and instilling in them a deep passion for the beautiful game.

Currently, Coach Lis leads the way as the coach of a dynamic U12 girls’ team for Locker Elite. Her commitment to coaching is matched only by her boundless enthusiasm, earning her the admiration of both players and parents alike. One that that sets Coach Lis apart is her coaching superpower, which she humorously refers to as “High and everlasting Energy that matches the kids.” Her ability to keep up with the energetic young players is nothing short of remarkable, ensuring that practices and games are both lively and engaging experiences.

For Coach Lis, soccer is much more than a sport; it’s a platform for imparting valuable life lessons. She firmly believes that teamwork and team effort are two essential aspects of soccer that yield benefits both on and off the field. Through her coaching, she strives to instill in her players the importance of collaboration, communication, and supporting one another as a unified team.

The heart of Coach Lis’s coaching philosophy lies in her profound love and passion for the game. It is this very love that she aims to pass on to her players, igniting in them a flame that will continue to burn brightly in their hearts. The joy of seeing her young athletes grow, improve, and fall in love with soccer is what fuels her dedication to coaching.

As a Coach at Locker Elite, Coach Lis is committed to creating a nurturing and positive environment where players can thrive, develop their skills, and forge lasting memories. Her compassionate approach and ability to connect with her players make her a cherished mentor and role model for aspiring soccer stars.

With Coach Lis at the helm, her U12 girls’ team embarks on a journey of growth, camaraderie, and excellence, all while fostering a lifelong passion for this beautiful game of soccer.

Coach Sabrina

Meet Coach Sabrina!

With nearly a decade of experience in the world of soccer, Coach Sabrina brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her coaching endeavors. Her soccer journey began as a young player with Locker Soccer, where she dedicated close to 10 years to honing her skills under the guidance of Coach Steve Locker himself. During her high school years at Dublin Scioto, Coach Sabrina’s commitment and talent earned her the prestigious honor being a 4-year varsity letter winner on the girls’ soccer team.

Even as she pursued her education, Coach Sabrina’s love for the game remained unwavering, leading her back to Locker Soccer, where she has been coaching intermittently for the past 4 years. Her coaching experience spans a diverse range of age groups, from the adorable 2-year-olds all the way up to the spirited 12-year-olds.

For Coach Sabrina, the joy of coaching lies in witnessing the children’s excitement for soccer, observing their progress as they learn new skills, and, most importantly, ensuring they have a blast playing with their friends. She believes that coaching offers a unique opportunity to give back to the sport that shaped her life and provided her with invaluable experiences.

When asked about her coaching superpower, Coach Sabrina humorously expresses a wish for super speed to keep up with all the energetic kids without running out of breath! Her dedication and enthusiasm make a cherished mentor to her young athletes.

As she continues her coaching journey, Coach Sabrina is thrilled to work alongside Coach Locker, the very person who guided her through her own soccer odyssey. Together, they form a dynamic coaching duo, dedicated to passing on the love of soccer to the next generation of players.

Whether it’s on the field or off, Coach Sabrina’s commitment to soccer and her desire to inspire young athletes make her an invaluable asset to the Locker Soccer community.

Coach Jakaysha

Coach Jakaysha Williams — Building Confidence Through Soccer

We’re thrilled to introduce Coach Jakaysha Hookfin, a dedicated and passionate member of our coaching team here at Locker Soccer Academy. Jakaysha brings a wealth of soccer experience and a deep commitment to nurturing young talents.

With a strong background as a varsity player at Wellington High School and as part of the Locker Soccer Club Team, Jakaysha has honed her soccer skills at a high level. But what truly sets her apart is her coaching prowess and her ability to inspire young players.

During her coaching tenure at Locker Soccer and leading the Wellington 5th and 6th-grade soccer team, Jakaysha has had some remarkable coaching moments. One that she cherishes is the transformation of a young player who initially lacked confidence. Through her unwavering encouragement and support, that player not only improved his soccer abilities but also blossomed into a more confident individual.

Coach Jakaysha’s coaching philosophy extends beyond the soccer field. She aims to instill values such as hard work, teamwork, and self-belief that will serve her students well in life’s endeavors.

Her passion for soccer, couple with her love for children, motivates her to be a positive role model, helping kids become the best version of themselves. She believes in the power of sports to teach valuable life lessons and is dedicated to imparting these lessons to the next generation. Coach Jakaysha is not just a coach; she’s a mentor and an inspiration for our young athletes, promoting growth, confidence, and success both on and off the field.