MIDWEST BOOM

J.R. Niklos - General Manager

• High School All-American in Football & Track

• 2 sport athlete at The Ohio State University

• 3 time All-American at Western Illinois University

• 6 year NFL Veteran with St. Louis Rams, Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, and Cleveland Browns

• Coached High School football 2008-2021. Currently coaching at College Of Dupage, where he has helped the Chaps win 5 consecutive NJCAA National Championships.

• Current Director Of Sports Performance at Acceleration Sports Performance

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Michael Bertschinger - Assistant General Manager

• Played football at Nebraska Wesleyan University

• Director for BOOM's In-House programs

• Director for BOOM's 10u, 12u, 14u, & 15u National Programs

• Offensive Coordinator for BOOM's 15u team.

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Mike Niklos - Head Strength & Performance Coach

• 3 time All-American at Robert University (PA)

• Invited To Rookie Camp with Pittsburgh Steelers

• Played Arena Football with Chicago Rush

• Current Head Performance Coach at Acceleration Sports Performance

• Has developed over 1000 athletes to be faster, quicker, and stronger in their sport(s)

 

Elliott Ivory - Director Of Media, 15u Defensive Coordinator

• Played football at Western Illinois University

• Current owner and talent scout at GametimePros, working with the top High School, College, and Pro athletes in the country

• Producer of the BOOM Highlight Mixtapes, which has drawn over 2 million total views

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Kendale Farlow - 15u Offensive Coordinator

• Played High School football at Evanston Township where he finished as a Top 25 player in the state

• Played college football at Northern Illinois

• Played semi-pro football for the Leyden Lions

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Gregg Kirkwood - 18u Offensive Coordinator

• Formally coached at Judson University (NAIA)

• Has won multiple Pop Warner National Championships​​​

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Matt Biermann - BOOM St. Louis Head Coach

• Played at the University Of Missouri

• Current owner of Elite Sports Performance

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Kaylon Miller - 15u Offensive Coordinator

• Formerly coached at Lake Erie College (D2)

• Standout wide receiver for the Elmhurst Bluejays, earning three varsity letters and multiple accolades

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B.J. Bello - 18u Defensive Coordinator

• Played football at University Of Illinois as well as Illinois State University

• Played professional football for 7 years with the Browns, Eagles, Jets, Chargers, and Falcolns

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Gus Ramos - Advisor

• Has helped promote BOOM athletes since joining BOOM in 2015

• Current reporter for NBC

• Current director for the Adidas All-American Bowl​

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Elias Karras - Advisor, Recruiting Coordinator

• Graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelors of Science in Natural Science and Nutrition

• Owner of EFT Sports Performance Training

• Honored by the United States Olympic Committee with a Special Recognition Award

• Has received the Distinguished Achievement Award from the International Sports Sciences Association

• Assists BOOM in college recruitment and exposure

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