General Manager

Jeff Knittel

Jeff has been the General Manager of Accelerate Sports since September 2017. Prior to joining Accelerate Sports, Jeff was the GM & DOS at a facility in Syracuse, NY from 2001-2017. 

A large portion of Jeff's athletic career consisted of playing and coaching soccer. However, this does not define the philosophy regarding his management of Accelerate Sports. He grew up playing several sports, loves watching all sports and is dedicated to continue developing a sports complex that encourages multi-sport athletes and well rounded healthy individuals 

Jeff is also committed to building relationships with individuals, groups, clubs, schools and local businesses that could last many years. He as been developing programs for everyone in the community no matter the age. 

Soccer Playing Experience

• United Soccer League 1st Division
  • Syracuse Salty Dogs (2003)
  • Lehigh Valley Steam (1999)
• Starting Midfield/Forward, Syracuse University (1995-1998)
• All-Big East 1st Team (1998)
• NSCAA All-Region 1st Team (1996, 1998)
• NSCAA All-Region 2nd Team (1995, 1997)
• All-Big East 2nd Team (1995-1996)
• U17 U.S. Men's National Team (1992-1994)
• Varsity Boys Soccer Team, Chittenango High School (1990-1994)
  • Played on the high school varsity team as an 8th grader

Soccer Coaching Experience

• Director of Soccer & Coach, Accelerate Sports (2017-Present)
• GM & Director of Coaching, CNY Family Sports Centre (2001-2017)
• Head Coach Men's Soccer, Onondaga Community College (2009-2011)
  • Team won Mid-State Athletic Conference Championship (2011)
• Director of Coaching, CNY United FC (2002-2008)
• Head Coach Varsity Boys Soccer, Fulton High School (2002-2007)
  • Lead team to Section III Finals (2006)
  • Team won NYSPHSAA State Championship (2005)

Soccer Accomplishments

• Hall of Fame, Chittenango Athletic Hall of Fame (2018)
• Hall of Fame, NYS West Youth Soccer Association (2008)
• Big East Rookie of the Year (Syracuse University, 1995)
• NSCAA National High School Player of the Year (1994)
• Parade Magazine All American (1992, 1993, 1994)
• USSF National "B" License, Coaching Certification (2005)

PERSONAL TRAINERS

Dawson Green

Instructor
dgaccelerate@gmail.com

Certifications:

• NASM Personal Training Certification (In Progress)
• SGX, Spartan Coaching Certification (2018)
• AAS, Sports Management Degree (Herkimer, SUNY 2018)
• 1st Degree Senior Black Belt in Kenpo Karate (2016)
• USSF National "F" License, Coaching Certification (2016)

"My main areas of expertise are in Soccer and Fitness Coaching. Along with soccer and fitness, I am also an Ultra Endurance athlete. I compete in events that challenge and push the mind and body to its limits. Many events last between 8 and 12 hours, and range from distances of 30-40 miles. I use my training experience from these events to help push each athlete I work with to their fullest potential and help them reach their personal goals. The road to greatness is never an easy one, but a phrase I use often with my current clients is, "Those who say they can, and those who say they can't, are both usually correct."​

Baseball & Softball

Bob Cook

Director of Baseball/Softball Instructor
bob.accelerate@gmail.com

Playing Experience:

• Pitcher & Middle Infielder, Adirondack Lumberjacks NE League (1996-1998)
• Pitcher & Middle Infielder, University of New Haven (1994-1996)
  • Full Scholarship
  • All-Tournament Team (1995)
  • College World Series (1995)
• Pitcher & Middle Infielder, MVCC (1992-1994)
  • All-Star Team, National Junior College Athletic Association (1994)
  • College World Series, National Junior College Athletic Association (1993)
• Notre Dame High School (1988-1992)
  • Varsity 3 years

Coaching Experience:

• Owner/Instructor/Coach, Field of Dreams (2003-2018)
• East Coast Lumberjacks (2016-Present)
• JV Baseball, Clinton High School (1999-2002)

Additional Information:

• Associate Scout, Cincinnati Reds (2005-Present)
• Pro Scout/Consultant, Trinity Sports Management (2005-Present)
• NSCA Certified Personal Trainer (2005)

Basketball

Matt Sprowell

Director of Basketball/ Instructor
mattsprowell@gmail.com

​Accomplishments

• Adirondack Central School (2007-2011)
  • Voted 1st Team Center State Conference All-Star in Basketball, Soccer, & Baseball 
  • 2011 Center State Conference Champion (averaged 12.5 PPG, 10.8 RPG and 7.5 APG in Conference Play)
  • Led Section III in total assists, Top 10 in Center State Conference in PPG and RPG (2011)
  • Voted Section III Scholar-Athlete (2010-2011)
• ESPN Radio Utica-Rome Monster Energy Drink Player of the Game (2011)
• Recipient of 2010-2011 Center State Conference Hardest Worker Award

Coaching Experience

• Director of Basketball & Head Coach, Accelerate Sports (2017-Present)
• Assistant Coach Boys Varsity Basketball & Head Coach Boys Junior Varsity, West Canada Valley High School (2018-Present)
• Volunteer Instructor, North Country Whiteout Youth Basketball Program (2016-Present)
• Assistant Coach Boys Varsity Basketball & Head Coach Boys Junior Varsity Basketball, Adirondack Central School (2016)
• Assistant Director of Basketball, Camp Winadu in Pittsfield, MA (2014-2016)
  • One of the largest sports camps in the northeast
• Head Coach of Basketball, Camp Winadu (2015-2016)
  • Won back-to-back Winadu Invitational Tournament Championships (2015-2016)
• Private Basketball Trainer, Camp Winadu (2014-2016)
  • Guard and Post players, ages 7-15 from across the country either in a solo or group setting.

Education Background

• Bachelor of Professional Studies: Sports and Business Management and Minor in Coaching, Cazenovia College (2016)
• Associate of Applied Science: Sports and Recreation Management, Herkimer County Community College (2013)

SOCCER

Nick Bibbs

Assistant Director of Soccer
Instructor
bibbs.accelerate@gmail.com​

Playing Experience

• Bethlehem Steel (2016)
• Saint Louis FC (2015)
• IFK Lammhult (2013)
• Syracuse University (2010)
• Lower Merion Soccer Club/ Spirit United (2005-2009)
• Regional All-America (2008)
• Central League MVP (2008)
• ODP Region l Team (2007)
• U18 US National Team (2007)

Coaching Experience

• Asst. Director of Soccer & Coach, Accelerate Sports
• Youth Soccer (2018-Present)
• Head Coach, Syracuse Development Academy Utica (2018-Present)
• Coach, Syracuse Development Academy Utica (2017)
• Director of Quality Control, Syracuse University (2017)
• Varsity Assistant Coach, Harriton High School (2016)
• Assistant Coach, Lower Merion Soccer Club (2016)
• Coach, YSC Youth Programs (2014-2016)
• Philadelphia Union, Player Development Program (2014-2016)
• Volunteer Assistant, Villanova University (2014)
• Assistant Coach, Continental FC (2014)

Dawson Green

Director of Health & Fitness
​Instructor
dgaccelerate@gmail.com

Playing Experience

• Syracuse FC (Currently) (2018)
• Krajisnik FC (Tournament Team) (2018)
• Herkimer college (2017)
• Varsity Soccer at Adirondack (2014 & 2015)
• Coliseum Soccer Club (4 years)
• Copper City Soccer Club (Tournament Team)

Coaching Experience

• Coach, Accelerate Sports Youth Soccer (2015-Present)
• Varsity Assistant Coach, Adirondack High School (2018-Present)
• Coach, Herkimer College Summer Soccer Camp (2015-2017)

Certifications​

• NASM Personal Training Certification (In Progress)
• SGX, Spartan Coaching Certification (2018)
• AAS, Sports Management Degree (Herkimer, SUNY 2018)
• 1st Degree Senior Black Belt in Kenpo Karate (2016)
• USSF

"My main areas of expertise are in Soccer and Fitness Coaching. Along with soccer and fitness, I am also an Ultra Endurance athlete. I compete in events that challenge and push the mind and body to its limits. Many events last between 8 and 12 hours, and range from distances of 30-40 miles. I use my training experience from these events to help push each athlete I work with to their fullest potential and help them reach their personal goals. The road to greatness is never an easy one, but a phrase I use often with my current clients is, "Those who say they can, and those who say they can't, are both usually correct."