Andy graduated from Northwestern in 1998. He was named All Big-Ten 3 years, Team Captain 3 years, all-time assist record holder and NSCAA All Midwest Region. While playing seven seasons of professional soccer in Germany, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Charlotte, Andy trained in the martial arts, earning his Third-Degree Black Belt and was the head instructor of a tae kwon do school. After 9/11, he served on the Tactical Response Unit of the Phoenix Police Department for 9 years. Besides tac ops and pro-active community policing, he also served as a certified translator in Spanish and in French, a Peer Counselor for PTSD/Trauma, and Subject Matter Expert and Physical Training Instructor for all Arizona Law Enforcement Agencies. While there, he competed in the World Police and Fire Games and in 2012 won the Gold Medal at the National Championships in the event called Toughest Competitor Alive. He became known as a Sports Performance and Fitness Expert- with over 100 published articles and videos for national media including Men’s Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, and USA Today. His training/nutrition content on YouTube has been viewed by 4.5 million people. He was discovered as an actor when he was cast in a movie with Will Ferrell called Everything Must Go. In 2012, he moved to LA and has appeared in over 40 Films and TV shows and many more commercials and photo campaigns. Andy relocated to the San Francisco area in 2017 when he was recruited to create and lead a $50MM Sports Technology and Entertainment startup called COPA Soccer Training Center. There, Andy also served as Director of Coaching for Solano United Soccer Club where he was responsible for the development of roughly 1500 student-athletes, four of whom were his two sons and two daughters. He has been coaching soccer at all levels for 25 years, and in 2019/2020 passed a year-long exam process to earn US Soccer’s National A-Youth License; the highest youth coaching badge in the country. In 2020, Andy also consulted on several sports training facilities, specializing in design and business development.

He and his wife Julie were married in Chicago in 1999, and along with their four kids and bulldog George Best, they returned to the Chicago area in Fall of 2020 after 20 years of adventures to create and lead Intentional Sports.

Austin Carr is President at Intentional Sports following a 12 month stretch as the organization’s Vice-President, Sporting Director. Mr. Carr came to Intentional Sports having just retired from the National Football League, where he played wide receiver for four seasons with the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots. While playing in 2020, he also served his Saints teammates as the unanimously team-elected NFL Players Association representative, handling responsibilities in league governance with the newly signed CBA. Mr. Carr holds a B.A. from Northwestern University in Philosophy (Minor in Business) and a M.S. from the Kellogg School of Management. As a student athlete, he was Team Captain of the Northwestern football team and earned many accolades, including being named the 2016 Big-Ten Receiver of the Year, 2nd Team Sports Illustrated All-American, 1st team All Big-Ten, Academic All Big Ten and a finalist for both the Biletnikoff and Burlsworth trophies; awarded to the top receiver and top walk-on in the country respectively. In 2015 he was honored with the Big Ten Medal of Honor for outstanding athletic and academic achievement. Austin lives in Chicago with his wife and two sons.

Email: info@intentionalsports.org

Marco was born and raised in Queens, NY. Growing up, he was a huge Mets fan (we don’t talk about what happened in the 2015 World Series). He played many different sports growing up, most notably, handball, the national sport of New York City. While his athletic ability never truly matriculated, this didn’t deter his love for sport. Marco went on to earn his Bachelor’s in Sports Administration and Masters in Sport Science from Lock Haven University (PA). 

Marco has spent almost 10 years in the indoor sport facility industry, specializing in operations. Having been involved with grass roots marketing and league development for newly opened projects as well as running leagues, tournaments, and programs for youth and adults. 

Marco is excited to serve the community daily, while doing what he loves.

Fun fact: Marco still plays Candy Crush (ask him what level he’s on)

Email: info@intentionalsports.org

Naomi Mayes is Intentional Sports’ Director of Nonprofit. Naomi began her journey in athletics at the age of 12 with a basketball in hand. She finished her high school career in 2014, with high honors in academics and served as starting point-guard and team captain all four years. She continued her success in her hometown at Joliet Junior College. Here, she obtained her Associates in Science, in General Studies, and in Arts. While playing basketball, Ms. Mayes was leading scorer and starting PG before suffering an ACL injury that prevented her from playing her sophomore year. A year later, Naomi was recruited by Division I, Western Kentucky University, where she joined the Lady Toppers and a conference win, earning the title of C-USA Champs (2017). Naomi finished her playing career at Limestone University (2019), graduating with a Bachelor of Science with concentrations in Physical Education and Strength and Conditioning. In an effort to stay in touch with her roots and give back to the community, Naomi has trained with players of all ages and skill sets, from beginners to pros alike, with emphasis on skill development, as well as being a certified IHSA Basketball Coach. In addition to her years of experience in athletics, since putting away her game shoes, Ms. Mayes has been emerged in the corporate scene. She began her journey in Marketing, specializing in E-commerce, then later obtained her Real Estate License and began her career in Commercial Real Estate as a Transactions Coordinator, working alongside a few of Chicago’s Top Performing Agents. Today, Naomi brings her extensive knowledge in athletics as well as her business savvy skill set under one umbrella, Intentional Sports. Naomi hopes to not only positively impact the children in the community, but she is excited for the opportunity to learn from and grow with them as well.

Email: info@intentionalsports.org

After four years of playing basketball at Northwestern, where Tre was named a team captain and selected to the All Big Ten team his junior and senior season, he went on to play four years professionally in Europe. While in Europe, Tre was top 5 in points and minutes in three of the four seasons he played abroad. In October of 2021, Tre retired from playing professionally following a hip injury and began working as a broadcaster for The Big Ten Network. Tre has a passion for serving and developing the youth through comprehensive basketball training and is excited to serve as the Basketball Director of Intentional Sports.

Email: info@intentionalsports.org

Gabe Garcia, a Wheeling IL native, has dedicated the past 10 years of his life to the youth soccer space. Currently, he holds his USSF B License and is Head Men’s Soccer Coach at College of Lake County. Gabe is excited to lead soccer operations at Intentional Sports. Fun Fact about Gabe: he is a Chicago Fire Fan and has attended 3 World Cups.

Email: info@intentionalsports.org

Jennifer Gibson is the founder of Elite Eats Inc and is an internationally recognized sport dietitian with 16 years of experience in elite sport. Most recently, Jennifer spent 7 seasons as the lead sport dietitian and sport science coordinator for the Chicago Bears Football Club. Between 2006-2015 she was a senior sport dietitian and applied physiologist with the United States Olympic Committee and within the Canadian Olympic sport system.Her consulting work has included the New Orleans Saints (2013-15), Vancouver Whitecaps MLS (2006-2011), Women’s Tennis Association Pro Tour (2006-2013) and within the NBA (2013-2014). She has traveled to over 20 countries to service her athletes including 2 Olympic Games (2010, 2012), 2 Pan American Games (2007, 2011), 1 Canada Winter Games (2007), 6 world championships, and hundreds of professional tournaments/games.

Gibson served as an adjunct sport nutrition lecturer for the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs (2011-2015), and was active in research, having published 9 peer reviewed scientific papers and 7 book contributions. Gibson completed her bachelors of science degree in Nutrition at Ryerson University and her dietetic education at the University Health Network in Toronto, Canada. Her masters in Exercise Science was completed at the University of Victoria in Victoria, Canada. She is a distinguished graduate of the International Olympic Committee Diploma in Sport Nutrition and a Level III certified anthropometrist with the International Society for the Advancement of Anthropometry. Jennifer is also a Board Certified Specialist in Sport Dietetics with the American Academy of Dietetics and Nutrition.

Jennifer Gibson MS, RD, CSSD, IOC Dip Sport Nutr
Founder & CEO
Elite Eats Inc.

Email: info@intentionalsports.org

Jason Heyward (‘J-Hey’) was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 1st round of the 2007 MLB Draft. He has spent time with the Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers. During his time with the Cubs, he led the club to its first World Series championship in over 100 years. Husband to Vedrana and father to Messi, Jason has partnered with Intentional Sports to host the Jason Heyward Baseball Academy on site where youth of all ages will be able to learn, train and have fun in the sport of baseball.

Email: info@intentionalsports.org

Tommy Christian is one of the top sports performance coaches in the country. He started his sports performance career at Northwestern University as the Assistant Director of Strength & Conditioning (2000-2002). His role expanded to take over all the speed development duties for the football program and under his first season in this role, the team saw an average decrease in 40 yd times of .15 seconds. Tommy broke off from NU to begin the process of growing TCBOOST in 2002, although he has continued to aid as a contract coach and/or consultant for NU ever since. Over the past 20 years, Tommy has trained more than 600 Division 1 athletes, 150 players for the NFL Draft, 4 NFL Pro-Bowl players and over 40 other professional athletes ranging from the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, and Rugby Union. Tommy is the former starting inside linebacker for the Wildcats under Coach Gary Barnett (1992). During his playing career at Northwestern, he was the top Iron Cat point winner for his combination of speed, strength, explosiveness, and stamina.  Pairing an extensive athletic background and coaching experience with a degree in engineering, Tommy has a unique analytical approach to developing performance in athletes of all ages.

Email: info@intentionalsports.org