Coaches and Instructors

Name: Hailey Cressman

Position: Senior Sports Administrator

Hailey is a 2019 graduate of Coastal Carolina University with a degree in Exercise and Sport Science and a minor in Coaching. She also completed her master’s degree in Sport Management from Coastal in 2020. During her time at Coastal, Hailey worked as the team manager for the Division I Coastal Women’s Soccer team. She was also an assistant coach for a girls’ soccer team in Myrtle Beach.

Hailey attended CAL as a young athlete participating in soccer and speed and agility classes. She also completed an undergraduate internship here at CAL as a Strength and Conditioning Coach in the summer of 2018 and has returned for her graduate internship. Hailey loves the energy at CAL Sports Academy and hopes that each athlete has fun every day they enter the gym.

Name: Cordell Lord

Position: Basketball Coach & Sports Instructor

Favorite Quote: “Play Fast, Play Hard!”

Cordell Lord is a part of the CAL Sports Family! From the time he was given his first basketball, Cordell has played in the In House leagues, Travel team, volunteered as a Jr Ref was an assistant coach and now landed as the head coach of our high school teams. He graduated from North Penn High School. During his career at North Penn High School, he was a four-year varsity point guard starter for the boys’ basketball team, while also being a captain his senior year. He currently holds the all-time record for most assists in a season and in a career by a player. During his time at North Penn High School, he was recognized and invited to play overseas in Hawaii and Las Vegas in 2013. He also participated in track and field as a sprinter for one season, making qualifying time to compete in Penn Relays. Coach Dell was a student-athlete at Immaculata University, graduating with B.A. Science Degree in Exercise Science and concentrating in Sports Management. He also minored in Business Management and Human Resource Management. Cordell has completed his Master’s degree at West Chester University and has also completed his Masters of Public Administration as well as earning certificates in Athletics and Sports Management. Coach Dell recently received his USA Basketball Coaching certification for 2019 and has had the opportunity to coach at the high school and college level.

You will see Coach Dell coaching camps, and in specialty clinics here at CAL Sports Academy.

Name: Coach Steph

Position: Sports Administrator & Volleyball

Favorite quote: “Don’t be sorry. Do better.”

Coach Steph grew up in the King of Prussia area and graduated from Archbishop John Carroll High School. She started playing volleyball in 5th grade and has had a love for the game ever since.

Coach Steph graduated from West Chester University with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, specializing in adolescent development and juvenile justice. She played recreational volleyball while a student at WCU. Coach Steph has been the Head Coach for the Perkiomen Valley Middle School West Volleyball Team for the past 4 seasons.

You can find Coach Steph in the gym instructing all levels of volleyball along with coaching the CAL Cobras Club teams.

Coaching Credentials:

• NFHS Coach Level 1

Name: Alysa MacLaughlin

Position: Volleyball Coach

Favorite Quote: “The only person who can stop you from reaching your goals is you.”

Coach Alysa is from Collegeville, Pa and is a current senior at West Chester University. She will be graduating in May with a degree in Business Administration and Management with minors in Human Resources and Business Law.

She started playing volleyball in 8th grade and played on her high school team both JV and Varsity. Her junior year of high school, her varsity team achieved a spot in the states qualifiers. Coach Alysa has played for multiple club teams and played on a recreational team in college.

She started coaching as an assistant coach at Perkiomen Valley Middle School West alongside Coach Stephanie. She has a passion for the game and is dedicated to helping our CAL players progress and reach higher levels of skill within the sport as well as growing herself.

Name: Jim Burke

Position: Volleyball Coach

Favorite Quote: “There may be people who have more  talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.”

Coach Jim began his volleyball career as a freshman at Bishop Guilfoyle High School in Altoona, PA. Throughout his 4 years of play there, he was a four-time district champion, as well as a two-time all-district outside, a two-time all-conference outside, and was selected to the All-State team his senior year. He continued to play volleyball in the off seasons for a number of clubs including Revolution, AVC, and PVC at the national level.

After graduating from high school he went on to play right side at the University of Pittsburgh where he graduated in 2020 with honors in psychology. After graduating, Jim spent time as an assistant coach for the Pitt Men’s Volleyball Club and for the Horseshoe Volleyball Club before moving to the Philadelphia area.

With over ten-years of high-level experience in the sport, he continues to both play and teach the game at an elite level, and hopes to share his experience with a new generation at CAL Sports Academy. More than anything though, he wants to pass on his passion for the game, and inspire this new generation to love the sport the same way he does.

Coach Jim believes passion, determination, and humility are some of the core values needed to succeed not just in sports, but in all facets of life.

Name: Coach Ali

Position: Volleyball Coach

Coach Ali grew up in Norristown, PA where her volleyball career started at the age of 8. She previously competed at the national level for East Coast Power and Club Integrity. In April 2015, her team qualified for Girls Junior Nationals and competed in New Orleans, LA.

She attended Lasdale Catholic, but then transferred to Norristown Area High School where they won the United 10 Champtionship. Coach Ali previously attended Drew Uiversity in Madison, NJ where she studied Chemistry and played on the volleyball team. Wanting to be closer to home, she now attends Cabrini University in Radnor, PA. She is a member of the Women’s Volleyball team as a setter/DS. She is expected to graduate Spring 2024 with a Bachlors Degree in Chemisty and a minor in Criminology.

Along with continuing her education to higher levels, Coach Ali always will find time to get on the court, indoors or grass. She enjoys coahcing volleyball becuase there are many core values to learn more than just the sport.

Name: Coach Alexis (Coach Lex)

Position: Volleyball Coach

Favorite quote: “Never say never because limits, like fears, are often just illusions.”

Coach Lex is from Telford PA and has been playing volleyball for 8 years. She started playing when she was in the 9th grade and played JV her freshman year.  She moved up to Varsity her Sophomore year up until her senior year of high school. She went to Christopher Dock High school.

She also played club volleyball her junior and senior year of high school and fell in love with the game. After high school, she started playing for adult leagues and knew someday she wanted to coach but kept learning more about the game. 

She went to Bucks County Community college for Business Administration with a minor in Digital Marketing. Fast forward 4 years later, she started working at Faith Christian Academy as an Elementary School Librarian/Middle School substitute. She also started coaching for the girls’ team at Faith as the JV Head coach and assistant Varsity coach. 

Name: Coach Craig

Position: Basketball Coach

Favorite quote: “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life…that is why I succeed.”

Coach Craig went to Lansdale Catholic High School and played basketball all four years. He then started varsity his last two seasons at LC and was also named a captain his senior year. He continued his basketball career at Delaware Valley University while also graduating in four years with a bachelor’s degree in landscape design and build in 2021. He currently has his own Hardscape company and is also coaching basketball at Lansdale Catholic High School in the winter.

Coach Craig was also apart of Cal Sports in High School and participated in AAU and offseason workouts. He learned a lot about the game of basketball and even more importantly about life outside of the gym. He looks to give back to the community and help young athletes become the best versions of themselves. He is extremely passionate about the game and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask him.

Name: Coach Ethan

Position: Basketball Coach

Favorite Quote: “I think the good and the great are only separated by the willingness to sacrifice”

Coach Ethan grew up in Delaware County where he graduated from Strath Haven High School. He then graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems and a minor in Economics.  Ethan now lives in Philadelphia where he enjoys walking to the Wells Fargo Center to watch the Philadelphia 76ers.

Coach Ethan has been working with kids in the community and helping manage local rec leagues since he was a freshman in high school. He played basketball throughout his time at Strath Haven and now coaches their 7th grade middle school team. Ethan really looks forward to working with young athletes at CAL Sports Academy, and helping them grow as basketball players and as people.

Name: Coach Ailyah

Position: Basketball Coach

Favorite quote:“You can’t win until you learn how to lose.”

Coach Aliyah was raised in South Jersey where she developed her love for basketball at a young age. She graduated high school from Life Center Academy and earned an associate’s degree from Rowan College at Burlington County. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sports management from Wilmington University. Coach Aliyah recently moved to Norristown, which is where she started her coaching career with CAL Sports.

Coach Aliyah has always been involved with sports. She played in basketball, soccer, and tennis rec leagues starting at age 5. When she became a teenager, she found that basketball was her favorite sport and continued to play through middle school and high school, in addition to playing AAU. She played a year in college before she stopped due to injuries.

She looks forward to learning from the other coaches/instructors at CAL Sports and teaching the next class of athletes! She has a true love and passion for the game and hopes to help young athletes discover their passion. Coach Aliyah hopes to have a life long career with basketball and is excited that it starts with CAL Sports!

Name: Coach Shen

Position: Basketball & Soccer

Favorite quote: “Every child deserves a champion- an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can be.”

 

Coach Shen is a graduate of North Penn School District and has been a participant in local area sports (Soccer, Track, Swimming and Cheer). She knew at a young age that she had a love for Soccer and Track and Field.

She played for TYA soccer and participated in Track and Field in Middle School and High School. She also participated in AAU Track.

Coach Shen graduated from Cabrini University with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She also completed her Master’s in Special Education (K-8).

Name: Coach Emily

Position: Seasonal Instructor

Favorite Quote: “The sweat. The time. The devotion. It pays off.”

Coach Emily grew up in Bedminster, PA and participated in many activities locally including competitive ice skating, horseback riding, gymnastics, and dance.

Coach Emily started playing volleyball at CAL Sports Academy in 2016. She also played CYO volleyball through middle school and is a 3 year varsity starter at Dock Mennonite Academy. Coach Emily was named BAL All-Conference Setter.

Coach Emily has been a part of CAL volleyball programs for over 6 years. She has participated in everything from beginners classes to Jr. Elite clinics
and Club Volleyball.

Coach Emily’s goals are to play college volleyball, pursue a career in sports management/media and as a screenwriter/author.

CAL is a very special place for Coach Emily. She grew up in the gym and has so many fond memories. She is grateful for the opportunity to give back and spread her knowledge and encouragement to the community that she loves.

Name: Coach Neil

Position: Seasonal Instructor

Favorite quote: “Just play, have Fun and enjoy the game”!

Coach Neil was a former CAL Sports athlete who attended clinics, played in the basketball In-House Leagues and Travel AAU teams. He graduated from North Penn High School. Coach Neil played Middle/High school basketball and also competed in Track and Field Shot Put, and Javelin throw.

Coach Neil loves helping and seeing every player get better at their game. Coach Neil is attending Albright College doing another sport that he loves which is E-Sports! He is a member of the Albright Lion’s E-Sports Team. He is pursuing a degree in Game & Simulation Development.

When Coach Neil is home on break, you will see him at camps and clinics at CAL Sports Academy.