COACHES

At Narrow Valley Sports, our coaches are driven by their love for the game and their commitment to bettering our community.

Jada Schellhammer

Softball, Fitness

Jada Schellhammer, Tamaqua, is a 2019 graduate of Tamaqua High School, where she was a two-time All-State selection in her four years starting on the varsity team. She is a recent graduate from Lock Haven University, where she was a five year member of the Lock Haven University softball team. She graduated with a major in Health and Physical Education and a minor in Coaching, and has worked many camps and clinics for young and upcoming athletes of all ages. She has also given private pitching lessons and volunteer coached at various camps in the area.

Julian Rickert

Baseball

Julian Rickert is excited to be one of the baseball coaches at Narrow Valley Sportsplex. He is a former graduate of Marian Catholic High school where he was a 3 year starter and team captain senior year. After Marian, he attended King’s College to study business management, in which he is in his senior year of. Rickert spent his first two years as a player on the Monarchs baseball team. After battling injuries, he began his coaching career at King’s in the fall of 2023. He is entering his second season of coaching at the collegiate level. As of August 2024, he is the Assistant Director of Baseball Operations and Recruiting for the Monarchs.

Gabe Herschman

Strength & Conditioning

abe Herschman is a nationally ranked powerlifter with over 25 competition experiences, highlighted by a 5th place finish at the Junior National Powerlifting Championships in Austin, Texas, in May 2024. With more than seven years of dedicated training in powerlifting and five years of coaching experience, Gabe has worked with both Division II and Division I athletes at Bloomsburg University, where he is pursuing a degree in Exercise Science.

His fitness journey is underscored by a remarkable transformation, having lost over 100 pounds while achieving an impressive powerlifting total of 1,550 pounds across the "Big Three" lifts: a 585-pound squat, a 400-pound bench press, and a 585-pound deadlift. Specializing in strength and conditioning, Gabe focuses on periodization and programming tailored to individual needs.

As he continues to enhance his expertise, Gabe aims to complete his bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and obtain his Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification in 2025. Committed to staying at the forefront of scientifically backed training methods, he actively engages with the latest research, reading journal articles and books, and participating in studies that emphasize safety and results for individuals of all experience levels, ages, and genders.

Chris Geiser

Soccer

Chris Geiser, President and founder of Right To Dream, is a distinguished member of the Narrow Valley Sportsplex coaching staff. With roles ranging from Army Youth soccer coach to President and coach of Carbon United, Chris has shown exceptional leadership and dedication to soccer. As a coach and club director at Keystone Athletics and a goalkeeper trainer with Dominate the 18 GK, he has developed and refined the skills of numerous athletes. His experience includes serving as assistant coach for the Jim Thorpe High School boys' team and head coach for the girls' team. At Right To Dream, Chris is a key trainer and instructor, and he also offers private instruction, demonstrating his commitment to nurturing soccer talent and fostering community growth.

Hardy Pinto

Soccer

Hardy Pinto brings a wealth of international playing experience to Narrow Valley Sportsplex. His impressive career spans across various countries and leagues, showcasing his versatility and dedication to the sport. Hardy has played for notable clubs including Barreirense in Portugal, Beziers FC 34 in France, Lingsbury London Tigers and Winsgate & Finchley in the UK, Orihuela 2B in Spain, Arvika in Sweden, Doxa Monia, Omonia Aradipou, and Kouklia in Cyprus, Al Taawoon in Dubai, and Mohammedan SC in Bangladesh. His diverse experience across these clubs and countries has not only honed his skills on the field but also enriched his understanding of different playing styles and cultures. This global perspective allows him to bring unique insights and training techniques to his coaching, making him an invaluable asset to our team and the community. Additionally, he is the founder of Pinto Soccer Development. At Narrow Valley Sportsplex, Hardy is committed to using his passion for soccer to inspire and develop the next generation of athletes.

Patrik Roche

Soccer

Patrick Roche is the owner of Soccer Education and Training w/Patrik, which was established in 2013. Born and raised in Ireland, Patrick developed knowledge and skills in soccer from an early age and became his local club’s youngest player at the senior level. He eventually played in the Premier division in his hometown of Waterford. He moved to Dublin in 1991, playing in Division 1 until 1996, when he "hung up his boots" to concentrate on youth coaching. At that time, he received training in Sports Psychology and Sports Therapy (Ki massage). Moving to the Lehigh Valley in 2013, Patrick began coaching players and coaches in Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, and Schuylkill counties. He also developed a mentorship program to help young players develop confidence and leadership skills. He still graces the field with the Over 50s in Allentown, but his greatest reward now is helping young players develop the skills to become good athletes and better human beings. Patrick's mission is to infuse increased rigor and expectation in soccer training, challenging players to be their best and sparking a lifelong passion for soccer.