OUR STAFF
MEET THE OWNER/FOUNDER
LEE BAKEWELL
Meet Lee Bakewell, the visionary founder and owner of Penn Prospects Soccer Schools. Lee's coaching journey began with a simple yet powerful aspiration – to make a meaningful impact and difference in the lives of individual players while rekindling the love for the game. His dedication to player development goes beyond the field, reflecting a passion for soccer that goes hand in hand with creating positive experiences.
Lee’s previous role was as Academy Director at TSF Academy [MLS NEXT Founding Member Club] from 2013-2022 before leaving his role to focus on developing soccer in Northampton County, PA region where he currently lives with his girlfriend, Rhianna. Lee currently holds his USSF ‘A’ Youth, USSF ‘A’ National, United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma and US Soccer Coach Educator Grassroots License.
Lee held many roles at former club TSF Academy, including Academy Coach, Director of Coaching and Director of Operations. He coached at all levels within the club, where he started in 2007, most recently the was the Head Coach of U'19 Boys MLS NEXT team and helped the team qualify for MLS NEXT Playoffs (2022) in the club's inaugural season within the elite platform via winning MLS NEXT FLEX to gain qualification.
Lee has coached various teams within MLS NEXT, US Soccer Development Academy, NPSL, EDP and USL Super Y-League during his time at the club. Prior to joining TSF Academy, Lee spent three years working with AYSO programs in Southern California with Major League Soccer Camps. Lee was awarded the Bob McNulty Coach of the Year Award by New Jersey Youth Soccer Association in 2020 for his contributions both on and off the field. Lee joined the Lehigh University Men’s Soccer Coaching staff in January, 2023 as Volunteer Assistant Coach and Director of Soccer Operations.
Lee has experience coaching teams from U8 - U23 age groups, and most notably led the '95-'96 Girls Team to four successive National Finals in USL Super Y-League and the US Club Soccer National Premier League (NPL). Lee has coached multiple players that have gone on to play at the Division I, II and III Collegiate Level and the semi-professional levels within the USA at USL and NPSL.
Lee has been fortunate to have worked around many prominent members of the youth coaching landscape, learning every day different methods and developing an ongoing understanding of the game. He has a great deal of experience in developing club philosophy, developmental curriculums from grassroots to the highest level in the youth game.
Questions for Lee?
What qualifications you have?
I currently hold my USSF ‘A’ Youth and USSF ‘A’ National Coaching Licenses as well as the USSF Coach Educator Grassroots License. I have also completed several other coaching licenses, including the United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA) Premier Diploma.
What is your coaching style?
I feel I am a very honest and fair coach, and like to let players figure things out on their own to a certain extent. I demand that players are attentive and have the correct attitude to train and improve as without that, the experience and knowledge I can share is less impactful.
What is your coaching experience?
I have coached at many levels of the game from grassroots, elite youth (MLS NEXT), High School, Collegiate and Senior men’s soccer within the NPSL. I started coaching in 1999 in England and have helped many players reach the collegiate levels.
What is your coaching philosophy?
I believe all players should be proficient and comfortable with the ball at their feet when under pressure, regardless of their position or level. I am a firm believer that players should be encouraged to develop good decision-making and awareness early on with constant repetition in building their technical skill-sets and love for the game.
Your most notable achievements?
I helped guide TSF Academy ‘95 - ‘96 Girls Team reach four successive National Finals (Super Y-League and National Premier League events). I was also Head Coach of TSF Academy U’19 MLS NEXT team and helped guide them to MLS NEXT Playoffs in the club’s inaugural season at that level.
Why did you create Penn Prospects?
Penn Prospects Soccer Schools was created to help me re-connect with the reason I started coaching, to develop and impact individual players. I wanted to re-align my values and my vision and best help individual players wanting to improve and in turn help the area I live develop and grow the game.
2020 NJYS BOB MCNULTY COACH OF THE YEAR
NJ Youth Soccer officially announced that Lee Bakewell has been selected as the 2020 NJYS Bob McNulty Coach of the Year. In this video, Lee participates in an exclusive interview by New Jersey native Carli Lloyd, who is an NJYS Ambassador and a two-time FIFA World Player of the Year.
The 2020 Bob McNulty NJYS Travel Coach of the Year is awarded to a competitive coach for either a boys team or a girls team for his or her coaching activities, sportsmanship, player development, personal coaching development and citizenship.
