Veracross
Coaches
Coaching Bios
Drew Betts
Biography
Mr. Betts was born and raised in Bristol, CT and attended Endicott College in Beverly, MA. There he received a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and a College Coaching Certificate. During his time at Endicott he was a four year member of the baseball team. Shortly after finishing his undergraduate work Mr. Betts went back to Endicott and received his Master of Education in Athletic Administration. He is a lifelong New York Giants and Yankees fan and is excited to have the opportunity to coach and teach many of the students at Salem Academy.
Eric Chajon
Biography
Eric Chajon is currently the Assistant Boys Soccer Coach at Salem Academy Charter School and has just finished his first year working under Coach Lee. He is also a member of the coaching staff at Massachusetts Youth Soccer and Danvers Youth Soccer, where he focuses on helping young players develop fundamental skills. As a player, Eric spent two seasons at UMass Lowell in 2012 and 2013, was a two-year captain and four year starter at Everett High School from 2008 to 2011, and had a successful club career playing for the New England Aztec Soccer and Boston Blast, winning titles at the regional and national level. A UMass Lowell Exercise Physiology student, Eric is set to graduate in May, and brings an extensive background in exercise and athletic performance to his coaching in conjunction with his love and knowledge of the game.
Matthew Chuchul
Biography
Coach Chuchul grew up on Long Island, New York. From an early age, he enjoyed running competitively. Throughout high school, Chuchul ran Cross Country and Track at the varsity level. In college, he was able to compete in a variety of intramural sports such as ultimate frisbee, basketball, kickball, and crew. In addition, Chuchul competed in various road races including the Run to Remember Boston Half Marathon. At Salem Academy, he has had the opportunity to coach two different sports. For the past two fall seasons, Chuchul has led the Cross Country team with Coach Petrides. In 2014, the boys high school team earned second place in the league. This past season, the girls high school team won its first league championship. In the spring, Chuchul coaches the track team. In 2014, the middle school boys team won the division title, and the middle school girls team won its first middle school league championship. In 2015, the high school boys team maintained an undefeated regular season, and the middle school girls team won its second middle league championship. Through these past seasons, Chuchul has strived to push students to be better athletes, teammates, and competitors.
Middle School Coaching Record 2014-Present (16-4)
Varsity Boys Coaching Record 2014-Present (8-0)
Varsity Girls Coaching Record 2014-Present (6-2)
Middle School Girls State Champions 2014, 2015
Jennifer Conway
Biography
Started playing soccer, basketball, and softball since 8 years old through high school. After high school, I decided to focus on soccer and was a 4 year member of the Merrimack women’s soccer team from 2005 – 2009. After my junior season, I was elected captain and was selected to the 1st team All-Conference for the NE-10 as well as an All-Region selection as a senior.
Taylor English
Biography
Coach Taylor English was a High School three-sport athlete (soccer, basketball and baseball) and pursued a collegiate baseball career at Endicott College. Due to the positive experiences and personal development through playing sports, Coach English developed the desire to coach and reciprocate the life lessons and competencies he learned during his playing days. Following graduation from Endicott College, Coach English acted as an Assistant Coach under Bryan Haley and the Endicott Baseball Program. Later that year, English landed his first head coaching position as the Marblehead Freshman Coach. During the summer of 2015, English also coached a U12 Legends Baseball team prior to taking his talents to Salem Academy Charter School. As a mid-year addition to the SACS community, English was very fortunate to land a Co-Coach position with the Middle School Boys Basketball team and an Assistant Coach position with the recently crowned 2016 MCAOS Baseball State Champions. He looks forward to coaching JV soccer this coming fall and commit to another great year of SACS Athletics.
Jessica Kittle
Biography
Coach Kittle grew up in a very sports based family. She has played soccer and basketball since she was 7 years old and softball since she was 12. Coach Kittle was a 4 year varsity player on both her soccer and basketball teams in high school, but with a passion for dance, she decided to only play club soccer and basketball while in college at Hobart and William Smith.
When she was 17, Coach Kittle began coaching second through fourth graders on a coed soccer team during her next 5 summer vacations, and volunteering at a summer basketball camp for elementary and middle school students. She has always had a passion for helping young kids gain the confidence, experience and leadership skills that come with being a part of a team.
Coach Kittle is currently the head coach for Middle School Soccer and Middle School Girls Basketball at SACS!
Bryan Lee
Biography
Bryan Lee was a four year varsity soccer player at Rockport High School and was also a member of the Aztec soccer Club from U15 to U19. After this Bryan also played one season with Aztec men’s team in NPSL. Bryan then attended Endicott College where he was a 4 year starter and 3 year captain as a center back and center midfielder. While helping improve the Endicott College program Bryan was selected to the All-Conference team in his junior and senior seasons. Bryan has coached for 8 years with Aztec soccer club and also did one season as assistant coach at Endicott College. Bryan currently holds his NSCAA National Coaching License. Bryan is also involved with running a soccer camps called Toca Academy which are designed as a high school preseason training for both girls and boys ages 13-18.
Shamus Mruk
Biography
- 1998 Graduate of South Hadley High School, played lacrosse since 8th grade.
- 2002 graduate of Assumption College, four years starting defense.
- 1999-2001 counselor at Players Choice Lacrosse camp.
- 1999-2006 played club lacrosse in Western Mass adult league.
- 2002 volunteer coach South Hadley Youth Lacrosse.
- 2005-2007 JV lacrosse coach, South Hadley High School (also coached JV and Freshman football).
- 2012 to present, Head Lacrosse coach Salem Academy Charter School.
Erica Pelletier
Biography
Started coaching at SACS on the founding Soccer Team in 2005 when it was a co-Ed team for grades 6-9. When the school grew, became Head Coach of middle school co-Ed soccer team until she welcomed her first child in 2012. Has also enjoyed coaching Volleyball Club and the Ski and Ride Club throughout the years here. In personal life also enjoys as much skiing and snowboarding as weather allows. Loves paddle boarding and exploring Salem from the view of the water in almost any weather alone or with a buddy. It is like therapy.
Benjamin “Coach P” Petrides
Biography
Coach Petrides grew up in Amherst, MA where he competed at the varsity level for a number of years in both basketball and baseball. After Amherst regional, Petrides competed for one year at Wilbraham and Monson Academy in basketball, baseball, and tennis. Upon graduation, coach Petrides attended Endicott college to study English and compete for the Endicott Gulls baseball team. A four year member, and team captain his senior year for the Gulls, Petrides captured two ECAC championships with the blue and green in his four years. Primarily as a pitcher for the gulls, Petrides earned league all conference recognition three years in a row, two placed on the first team, and was able to earn the pitcher of the conference award his junior year. After his time playing for the Gulls, Petrides returned as a coach the following year. After one season with the Gulls, Salem Academy became the new home for Coach P. Guiding the cross country team to their first ever league championship and earning coach of the year honors, Petrides and the Navigators will look to repeat as league champions and earn their first Championship this fall. Winter will bring a new challenge as Coach P will make the transition from Middle School Basketball to High School hoops, as he will embark on his first season as the varsity basketball coach. In the spring, Coach Petrides will look to assist for his third year with the baseball team at Salem Academy and help bring them back to the playoffs and capture their elusive first championship. Coach Petrides believes in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and alongside Mr. Betts was able to run a strength and conditioning course over the summer with the student athletes of Salem Academy. While competing in baseball is no longer on the radar for Coach Petrides, he now competes in a men’s basketball league, partakes in a variety of races throughout the year, and continues to try to improve his golf game.
Jennifer Pullen
Biography
Jennifer started her volleyball career during her sophomore year of high school. She played in Junior Olympic volleyball and was recruited to play on the women’s volleyball team at Keene State College where she played right-side hitter and second setter. She discontinued college-level volleyball due to an injury, but now participates in volleyball tournaments to raise money for charities. She is excited to join Salem Academy’s athletics and build a strong varsity volleyball team!
Jamie Torelli
Biography
Jamie Torelli played basketball and softball throughout her high school career at Swampscott High and then at the collegiate level at Anna Maria College. Once out of college she first started coaching softball in 2006 first at the Youth and Rec level then went on to coach at the JV high school level before moving on to be the assistant varsity coach at Salem Academy in 2014. In 2011 Jamie was inducted in the Athletic Hall of Fame at Swampscott High School for her excellence and accomplishments in both Softball & Basketball.
Varsity Girls Basketball Record 2014-Present (5-12)