Beyond the Game
Join us for a day full of education, field sessions, and networking!
The Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association (WYSA), in partnership with the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association (WSCA), is hosting the inaugural Wisconsin Soccer Symposium. This event brings together coaches, administrators, referees, and organizational leaders from across the state for a full day of high-quality education, collaboration, and shared solutions. The Symposium focuses on elevating the soccer experience for everyone in Wisconsin (club, high school, and college) through practical learning, expert-led sessions, and open dialogue.
Details
March 21, 2026
8:00am-4:00pm
Brookfield Convention Center
$65/person
Roni Andrew is a longtime advocate and ally within the disability community, dedicated to breaking down physical, social, and cultural barriers through sport and fitness. Her work focuses on creating accessible, equitable environments where individuals of all abilities can thrive and participate fully. Andrew champions collaboration across organizations and communities to expand inclusion and understanding in sport spaces. She is committed to reshaping the systems that place individuals in states of disability and bringing forward opportunities that emphasize capability, dignity, and empowerment. Andrew currently serves as the TOPSoccer Chair for Wisconsin, where she supports statewide programming for athletes with disabilities. Her passion drives her mission to build a more inclusive and connected sport culture.
Craig Carlson is the WYSA Director or Coaching, Head Coach of Wisconsin’s Olympic Development Program, and a long-standing leader in player identification and development across the state. With extensive experience coaching at the youth and competitive club levels, he has helped shape training environments that prepare players for collegiate, regional, and national opportunities. As of late, Carlson has been added as a U.S. Soccer Talent Identification Scout. He is known for his ability to connect with athletes, guide them through demanding training cycles, and emphasize both technical excellence and character development. In addition to his work with ODP, Carlson holds a U.S. Soccer A License and is a U.S. Soccer certified coaching educator; his contributions to coaching education and youth player developmental framework are beyond compare. His leadership continues to elevate Wisconsin’s presence within the Midwest and national ODP landscape.
Dr. Margaret Domka is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of USC-MHS, where she leads national efforts to integrate mental health awareness into sport culture. She has developed initiatives serving veterans, individuals with paralysis, and Paralympic athletes while also instructing Mental Health First Aid and ACT! Mental Health Awareness courses. Domka holds the International Olympic Committee Certification on Mental Health in Elite Sport, reflecting her commitment to athlete well-being. A former FIFA Women’s World Cup referee, she spent a decade on the USA FIFA panel and remains active officiating within the international blind, CP, and Special Olympics soccer communities. Her career blends high-level sport experience with a mission to create safe, supportive spaces for all athletes.
Joel Dragan serves as the Director of Member Services and Participant Safety for US Youth Soccer, supporting all 54 State Associations while leading national safeguarding initiatives. He chairs the USYS Participant Safeguarding Committee, which develops and implements safety policies for more than 2.6 million young athletes nationwide. Dragan previously served as Executive Director for both Florida Youth Soccer Association (FYSA) and Kansas Youth Soccer, guiding major organizational growth and championing player-development pathways. Under his leadership, FYSA reached a record 113,000 registered players and advanced statewide inclusion, coaching quality, and compliance efforts. He has also played a key role in implementing Florida’s youth-coach background check and fingerprinting legislation, ensuring safer sport environments across the state. With more than 15 years of experience in youth soccer leadership, Dragan brings deep expertise in member support, risk management, and long-term program development.
Shannon Smyth-Eisberner is a Mequon native who grew up playing for the Milwaukee Kickers Nationals and FC Milwaukee before becoming an ODP State Captain and Regional Team member. She was a four-year standout at the University of Louisville, helping the program reach its first Big East semifinal and NCAA Tournament appearance. Smyth went on to play five seasons in Norway’s Toppserien, where she also launched and directed Amazon Grimstad’s first girls academy and coached within the Norwegian regional system. Internationally, she earned 36 caps with the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team. Smyth is a 2025 Wisconsin Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, a DSHA Hall of Famer, and a founding board member of the Wisconsin Women’s Soccer Advisory Council. She holds a USSF “A” License, works in U.S. Soccer Coaching Education, and recently joined the U.S. Youth National Team staff.
Dr. Lauren Falk is a physical therapist whose passion for sports medicine grew from her years as a three-sport athlete and her early experiences with the impact of high-quality athletic training. She began her career as an athletic trainer at the University of Louisville, working with national and world-class cross country and track athletes before returning home to join Marquette University’s athletic training staff. At Marquette, she cared for the men’s soccer and men’s and women’s tennis programs, contributing to multiple Big East championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. Her decade of Division I experience inspired her pursuit of a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, expanding her ability to design and deliver high-performance rehabilitation programs. Falk is committed to giving every athlete, elite or recreational, access to “elite-level” care, collaborating closely with physicians, coaches, and strength staff to ensure safe and successful returns to sport. Her approach blends science, competition, and teamwork to support athletes at every stage.
Stephanie Grady is the co-founder and CEO of Influential Athlete, an NIL coaching company empowering elite female student-athletes in high school, college, and club sports to maximize their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) potential. A two-time Emmy-winning journalist and former competitive figure skater, Stephanie combines her media and athletic experience to provide tailored NIL guidance. With nearly 20 years as a TV news anchor, she brings a unique perspective, helping athletes, families, and coaches navigate the NIL landscape and build a foundation for long-term success.
Ellen Joppe is a former Division I soccer player who was introduced to yoga during her collegiate career as a complement to high-level training and competition. What began as a posture-focused practice evolved into a deeper exploration of movement, mindfulness, and recovery. Through her continued practice, she discovered the mental clarity, balance, and personal growth that yoga can provide both on and off the field. In 2018, Joppe earned her 200-hour yoga teacher certification from Kramas Yoga in Madison. Drawing from her background as a competitive athlete, she integrates strength, mobility, and mental focus into her teaching. Her goal is to help athletes and individuals develop sustainable practices that enhance performance, well-being, and long-term growth.
Louis Mateus is a veteran soccer coach, educator, and leader with more than 40 years of experience across youth, collegiate, and national team environments. A longtime U.S. Soccer coaching educator, he has played a key role in developing coaches and players through elite clubs, Olympic Development Program, and Youth National Team pathways. Born in Portugal and raised in American soccer, Mateus also competed professionally in the indoor game before transitioning into coaching and leadership roles. He has served as a head coach at multiple collegiate programs, guiding teams to conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. Known for his technical expertise and commitment to developing the game at every level, Mateus brings deep insight into player development and coaching methodology.
Wes Moore is the Vice President of Product at PlayMetrics, a leading youth sports management software platform supporting clubs and organizations nationwide. He specializes in translating technology into practical solutions that help youth sports leaders improve operations, communication, and overall participant experience. With deep expertise in product strategy, digital platforms, and customer engagement, Moore has helped guide software solutions from early development through large-scale adoption. He regularly works alongside club administrators and sport leaders to ensure technology aligns with real-world needs and long-term growth.
Tom Torres was recently announced as the new head coach of the Carroll University women’s soccer program. With 30 years of coaching experience, he has worked across the ECNL, USL W-League, NWSL, and Major League Soccer youth systems, including ten seasons with D.C. United and four with the Washington Spirit. He continues to coach youth teams and brings a deep background in developing players across competitive levels. A former collegiate midfielder and defender, Torres graduated from Radford University with a degree in Political Science. He holds a USSF A License, UEFA B License, Elite Formation Coaching certification, and a USC Advanced National Diploma.
Check back in 2026 for confirmed vendors!
Check back in 2026 for day-of-event information!
WYSA will hold our Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Wisconsin Soccer Symposium. Club Presidents, along with one guest, will receive a complimentary registration to the Symposium. Details will be distributed directly to club leadership regarding this process. Please refer to the WYSA AGM webpage for additional details, any questions can be directed to communications@wiyouthsoccer.com.

