Please join us in welcoming Liz Hopley and Amy Hoeschen to our full-time team at the Academy (above)! Although they are both new to our full-time team, both Liz and Amy have been played a role in the magic of summers at Academy.
Liz Hopley has been with the Berkshire Soccer Academy since the summer of 2013. She has many years of experience working with children and young adults, having worked as a high school athletic counselor in Springfield, Massachusetts prior to joining the Academy full-time. In addition, Liz has coached a number of both soccer and basketball teams, ranging from youth to college. Liz received a B.A. from Merrimack College, where she was a 4-year member of their Division II soccer team. She then earned a Masters in Education from Merrimack College as well as a Masters in Education from Springfield College in Athletic Counseling.
As a Program Director, Liz works with campers and staff to ensure that everyone is safe, busy, and having fun. Liz serves as one of our Residential Life Directors, working with campers and cabin counselors to ensure that Berkshire Soccer Academy is like a home away from home. She also oversees the entire soccer program at the Academy. During the off-season, Liz manages staff hiring, staff support, and does data analysis and evaluation of our camper surveys. Liz loves to talk about camp, so make sure you pick her brain when you arrive at the Berkshire Soccer Academy.
Amy Hoeschen started work at the Academy in the Summer of 2014. Her camp career began however in northern Minnesota at the YMCA Camp Du Nord where she sang songs about loons (and penguins) and guided families and teens on Boundary Waters Canoe Area adventures. Along with her big canoe arm muscles, Amy helped to develop a Teen Leadership Development Program at Camp Du Nord. Upon receiving her B.A. in Political Science and Environmental Studies from the College of Saint Benedict, Amy worked for Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Martin Heinrich, and The Wilderness Society. Growing up, soccer was an important part of Amy’s life whether she was playing, coaching, or watching. She now enjoys competing in running races, practicing yoga, and eating ice cream.
As Program Director at the Academy, Amy works to create a top notch elective program: all the fun stuff like the arts and crafts, yoga, and the blob. Amy also keeps tabs on the cabin happenings as Residential Life Director. During the off-season, Amy focuses on camper recruitment and enrollment, marketing, and residential life development. She loves meeting new people, so make sure to say hi next time you visit the Academy (or next time you call the office)!