Chris Taborn, GK Operations Manager of SPNG Academy, was born in Kankakee, IL and raised in Chicagoland. Growing up, Chris played at the highest levels US Youth Soccer had to offer playing for big name clubs such as the Chicago Fire Juniors and Sockers FC for a time. Chris was coached by well-known professionals CJ Brown (New York Red Bulls assistant coach), Brian Plotkin (Notre Dame Men's Soccer assistant coach), and goalkeeper coach Neil Thompson (former English Professional Goalkeeper). During his collegiate career, Chris played for Olivet Nazarene University, where he started all four years and help lead the Tigers to their first CCAC Title. After college he became the assistant coach at his alma-mater, founded and ran Tiger Goalkeeping Academy (TGA), and is currently the Women's Soccer assistant coach at Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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Since merging TGA with SPNG Academy, his goal is to keep developing young goalkeepers and with the help of SPNG, Chris wants to provide these young goalkeepers with more exposure and opportunities to reach the Academy, Collegiate, and Pro levels.

 

Credentials:

• CCAC Champion (2x)

• CCAC All-Conference (2x)

• Olivet Nazarene University Men's Assistant, NAIA (2018-2020)

• Davenport University Women's Assistant, D2 (2020- )

• Tiger Goalkeeping Academy, CEO & Director (2015-2020)

• GK Licenses: Lvl. 1 & 2

• USSF Licenses: D, E, and F