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Meet All-Stars Staff and Instructors!
Mike Barry's Bio All-Stars Soccer Academy Instructor
Mike Barry was born in Wales and raised in Hull, England. Mike showcased his skills at an early age and earned a spot on his brother’s U10 team at the age of six. By the time he was in his early teens, he was widely recognized as one of the most promising young soccer players in England.
Mike’s professional career was launched at the age of fifteen when he joined Huddersfield Town. Mike played at the professional level in England for twelve years and was a member of the Welsh National Team. In 1975 Mike got a taste of American soccer when he played one season with the Washington Diplomats, but it wasn’t until 1979 that he came to the United States to stay. After moving to the United States, Mike played with several professional teams including the Cleveland Force, Columbus Magic and Columbus Capitals. Mike had a lengendary career with over 600 professional games. For almost two decades Mike has played a major role in the development of youth soccer in Ohio South.
Mike Thomas's All-Stars Soccer Academy Instructor
Mike Thomas was born in Swansea City, Wales and fell in love with the game of soccer at a very early age. Youth coaches quickly recognized his talent and offered him an opportunity to play with the Swansea School Boys and the Boys Club of Wales. After an impressive youth career, Mike competed in the notoriously tough Welsh leagues playing for Hereford United, Pembroke Borough, Milford United and Swansea City.
Shortly after his playing career, Mike earned his Welsh FA Coaching Badge and established the first indoor soccer facility in Wales. Mike quickly developed a coaching style that has earned him the respect of both his players and competitors. Eventually, Mike followed his coaching dreams to the United States. Mike has coached in the Olympic Development Program and has been an assistant coach at Ohio State University. He has now spent more than a decade coaching in youth programs and is considered to be one of the finest coaches in not only Ohio but the entire Mid-West.
Corey O'Halek All-Stars Baseball Instructor
Corey graduated from Youngstown State University with a degree in Pre-Law and a minor in Political Science. At Youngstown, Ohalek set the school records for wins, innings pitched, and starts. He ranks 4th in strikeouts and 3rd in appearances. In 2003, Ohalek signed with the Florida Marlins and played 3 seasons with the Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League. Ohalek will be entering his 3rd year as an assistant coach at Otterbein College. Ohalek, his wife, Maria, and their son, Joseph, now reside in Pataskala.
Mike Florak All-Stars Baseball Instructor
Mike coached nine seasons at Youngstown State, where he has established one of the most competitive programs in the region by emphasizing hard work on the field, success in the classroom and strong character.
Since his arrival in 1999, Florak has led YSU to the national stage with its first-ever Division I NCAA Regional berth, its first conference championship and games against some of the top teams in the country. He has also seen 11 of his players realize their dream of playing professional baseball with six being selected in the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft and five others signing free agent contracts.
Before YSU, Mike served as the head baseball coach at Waynesburg (Pa.) College in 1997 and 1998. He guided the Yellowjackets to a 38-33 two-year mark and to a conference championship in 1998. That same season Florak’s club led the nation in hitting with a .382 average. Florak was an assistant at Waynesburg in 1996 before being promoted to head coach.
Prior to his three-year stint at Waynesburg, Florak was an assistant coach at Ohio University in 1995 and was an assistant coach at West Liberty State in 1994.
His experience also includes a stint as an assistant coach at Steubenville Central Catholic High School where his team won the 1994 Ohio State High School Baseball Championship.
Florak had an outstanding playing career before changing roles in the dugout. At Ohio, he was an All-Mid-American Conference selection before remaining with the program as a graduate assistant coach.
He graduated with a degree in journalism and public relations from Ohio University in 1991 and earned his master’s from Ohio in sports administration in 1992.
A Steubenville, Ohio, native, he is a graduate of Steubenville Central Catholic High School. At Central Catholic, he was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 23rd round during the 1985 Major League Baseball Draft.
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