A Conversation with Local Youth Coaches

Susie Kullby is a 30 year resident, educator and coach in Lake Forest. Coach Kullby played a variety of sports growing up but fell in love with soccer as a varsity player at New Trier high school. She went on to play at Xavier University. She has coached soccer for LFSA for 20 years and has a national C license from U.S. soccer. In 2020 Susie received the Illinois Women in Soccer Award in 2020.

John Lazzaretto founded Bandits Lacrosse in 2014 and has coached hundreds of young athletes, growing the program to over 200 girls playing each year. John has two children who went on to play Division I varsity lacrosse. John is a Lake Forest High School graduate where he was an All-State running back and set multiple football and track records. In addition to Lacrosse, John has coached youth football and other rec league sports for girls and boys.

Matt Wells grew up in Mundelein playing baseball and basketball. After getting injured playing college baseball, Matt transitioned into coaching and has spent over a decade working with young athletes. Matt has previously worked with the Lake Forest Scouts baseball program and served as the Director of Athletics at the Mundelein Park District. He is currently the General Manager and a baseball coach at The Farm System - a community based sports organization built on helping athletes grow into their full potential on and off the playing field.