Staff
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Tyler Thompson
Director of High School Organization
High School: ‘07 Carl Sandburg
Playing experience: ’09 Joliet Junior College & ’11 Robert Morris University
- Director of Baseball Operations at Cangelosi Baseball since 2013
- NJCAA National Champion as a player (2008) and a coach (2012)
Bob Lisanti
Director of Player Development
High School: ’91 Fenwick
Playing experience: ’95 University of Notre Dame
- Director of Player Development at Cangelosi Baseball since 2016
- In 1996, signed as a free agent with the Chicago Cubs. Played up to AAA
John Cangelosi
Advisory Board Member
High School: ’81 Miami Springs
Playing experience: ’82 Miami Dade/4th round Chicago White Sox
- Won the World Series in 1997 with the Florida Marlins
- Played 13 seasons in the big leagues with 7 different teams
John Flanagan
Advisory Board Member
High School: ’85 St. Rita
Playing experience: ’90 University of Notre Dame
- Coaches collegiately at University of Notre Dame
- Member of Arizona State University baseball staff from 2007-09
Keith Massey
Advisory Board Member
High School: ’83 Oak Forest
Playing experience: ’87 University of Illinois
- Served as President from ’12-’16 and Treasurer from ’10-’11 of Sparks organization
- Son’s Andrew Massey (Concordia University) and Michael Massey (University of Illinois) both came thru the program
Dave Payton
Advisory Board Member
High School: ’82 St. Laurence
Playing experience: ’86 University of Illinois/St. Louis Cardinals
- Has played a huge role in the growth of the Sparks organization since ’03
- Son’s Mark Payton (Texas/NY Yankees) and Troy Payton (Maryville University) both came thru the program
Brett Velon, CSCS
Director of BSF Sports Performance
High School: ‘07 Carl Sandburg
Playing experience: ’09 Joliet Junior College & ’11 Robert Morris University
- Interned under Eric Cressey in Winter of 2016
- 2011 CCAC Player of the Year
Billy Copp
Pitching Coach
High School: ’82 Aurora Central Catholic
Playing experience: ’86 Iowa State/7th round Pittsburgh Pirates
- 20+ years of coaching experience including big leaguers: TJ McFarland, Mike Foltynewicz, Tony Zych, Casey Crosby
- Current pitching coach at Brother Rice
Garrick Pranchke
Hitting Coach
High School: ’89 Andrew
Playing experience: ’95 Grand Valley State
- Coached at Grand Valley State University from ’96-98
- Current hitting coach at Providence Catholic, ’14-’16 State Champs
Brett Maus
Pitching Coach
High School: ’09 Andrew
Playing experience: ’14 St. Joes
- 2014 1st team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference
- Played professionally for Windy City Thunderbolts
John McCarthy
Hitting & Outfield Coach
High School: ’02 St. Rita
Playing experience: ’16 University of Louisiana/Lafayette
- Current head coach at Brother Rice
- Coached with Sparks organization for 6 years
JT Scara
Hitting & Infield Coach
High School: ’05 Lincoln-Way Central
Playing experience: ’09 Robert Morris University
- Coached at McKendree University (D2) from ’13-’14
- Coached professionally with Windy City Thunderbolts & Gary Railcats, currently coaching with Schaumburg Flyers