Sam Zisette
Sam grew up in Wallingford and attended Ballard High School. He’s played soccer his entire life, collegiately at the University of Puget Sound, in USL2 for Sounders U23, and professionally for the Tacoma Stars. His professional career has centered on youth soccer in coaching, administration, and marketing. Ballard FC has been a long-time dream and vision of Sam’s as a way to create community through soccer.
Lamar Neagle
Lamar grew up in Federal Way, playing soccer in the south end and eventually went on to play D1 soccer at UNLV for 4 years and in USL2 for Des Moines Menace. His professional career spanned 10 years, several with the Seattle Sounders but also sending him to Charleston, Montreal, Washington DC and Finland. He is married with 3 kids and now works in wealth management. Ballard FC represents his passion for the development of soccer in the region.
Chris Kaimmer
Chris grew up in the heart of Ballard and played for the same Ballard High Beavers soccer program as Sam, just a few years earlier. After graduating from Yale University he spent ten years working at the intersection of soccer, impact and entrepreneurship – living across Africa, Europe and North America while building soccer startups and consulting for prominent global soccer NGOs. Ballard FC represents the coming together of Chris’s personal background and professional passion.
Camden Francis
Camden has been with the club since its infancy, helping to lead all things operations and build a winning team alongside club president, Sam Zisette. Following Ballard FC’s successful debut season, Camden also moved into leading the club’s new non-profit arm, the Ballard FC Foundation. Originally from the east coast and a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, Camden has long shared a passion for soccer and the ability of sports in general to unite and gather people. Ballard FC represents the culmination of that passion and one he’s thrilled every day to help lead for the club.
TIFFANY MALLICK
Tiffany grew up in California where she played college soccer and in the WPSL. She received a Master Degree in Athletic Training, caring for diverse populations as part of the Sounders Women and Seattle University. She is dedicated to providing a positive athlete experience, advancing women’s sports, and creating inclusive communities.
Jenny begley
Jenny grew up playing soccer in a small Massachusetts town that taught her the power of community spirit and a well-told story. She is a versatile marketing and communications expert with a degree from Dartmouth College. Now a Ballard local, Jenny is passionate about helping our club tell engaging stories that inspire and build community.
mike lengel
Mike Lengel joined Ballard FC in their inaugural season as their creative media manager, assisting the creative team in all things graphic design and social media related. This is Mike’s first job in soccer, and has grown to love the small but mighty community centered around Ballard FC. Away from the club, Mike is the Creative Content Director for Lakeside School Athletics, and is the head coach of their (American) football team.
blake dahlin
Travis Platt
Travis is a dynamic creative director with a passion for bringing bold ideas to life while pushing the boundaries of storytelling. His expertise encompasses writing, producing, and creative development across a spectrum of projects, from TV series to national commercial campaigns to award-winning short-form sports content. Proudly from Seattle and rooted in his local community, Travis sees Ballard FC as a symbol of the future of smaller-market sports success in the nation.
Elliott Miller
Originally from South Bend, Indiana, Elliott joined us in early 2023. He brings with him playing and working experience in the USL and has hit the ground running here in Ballard. What he enjoys most about being part of our club is its commitment to collaborating with the Ballard community and creating access to the beautiful game for everyone.