OWNER/SCOUT
Milwaukee, WI
414-303-7607
Jason@ScoutU.com

Jason Lauren, who lives in Milwaukee, Wis., is the Owner and a Scout for ScoutU. Since 2008, he has helped over 300 athletes from the Midwest move on to play in college to programs at every level across the country — from major NCAA Division I schools like Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Missouri and Purdue to Division III and JUCOs. The athletes he has guided through the recruiting process have committed to 136 colleges in 25 different states, from Arizona to Florida, Texas to Massachusettes and accross the Midwest.

Jason has implemented recruiting methods for his athletes that have resulted in millions of dollars of scholarships. Through his personal conversations with college coaches over the years and going through the recruiting process with hundreds of athletes, he has learned the ins and outs of how the recruiting process works and how to best guide athletes and their families through it. Jason has established relationships with hundreds of colleges coaches at all levels, most of which have come by meeting in person at games and events. He has given recruiting seminars for many events, teams and schools. Jason has been featured in the Milwaukee Business Journal and has been mentioned in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel many times when his athletes have made their college commitments. He employed two scouts who became scouts with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Jason started his career as an award-winning sports journalist. He worked for the Green Bay Press-Gazette as a sports copy editor and reporter, covering hockey and writing a fantasy football column. He self-syndicated the column to papers around the country, including the Chicago Tribune. He also was the sports editor and a sports reporter for the Freeport (Ill.) Journal Standard. During Jason’s sports journalism career, he connected with several college coaches, learning how to communicate effectively with them. He graduated with a BS degree in entrepreneurship and minored in journalism at Northern Michigan University. He grew up in Ishpeming, Mich., a small town in the Upper Peninsula, and graduated from Westwood High School.

Jason resides in Greendale, Wis., with his wife, Laurie, 9-year-old daughter, Maisey, and their yellow-lab mix dog, Dorsey.

GENERAL MANAGER/SCOUT
Columbus, OH
920-979-3093
Jon@ScoutU.com

Jon Feyen is ScoutU’s General Manager and Ohio scout. As General Manager, Jon handles scout hiring, social media, athlete websites and prospect commitment stories. Jon owns 9 years of experience working in college athletics. He managed events, kept statistics, wrote articles, operated social media and helped coaches with their recruiting. Jon’s resume includes experience at Division I, Division III and NAIA schools. He has worked hundreds of college basketball, baseball and football games, so he knows the talent required to compete at that level. 

More than half the golfers Jon advised have committed to Division I programs, including Timmy Gannon (Elon), Elise Hoven (North Dakota State), Grace Durkin (Loyola), Kate Bogenschutz (Montana), Lauren Lupinek (Western Michigan), Lorenza Martinez (Loyola) and Elliott Nielsen (Northern Iowa). Jon also has worked with prospects in baseball and basketball, including Savannah Walsdorf who totaled over 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds for Dakota State University.

Jon worked in advance scouting and video for the Milwaukee Brewers during 2018. He is constantly involved in the local sporting scene, owning experience with Minor League Baseball (2013-17), NBA G-League Basketball (2017-18) and several high school state championships. Jon also handled media relations and official statistics for the NCAA Division III World Series from 2008-17. Jon owns a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and a master’s degree in sports management from Cardinal Stritch University (WI). His writing profile includes a published book (How Twitter Changed Sports Journalism) and the 2016 Spira Research Award for his thesis, “Analytics: The New Currency of MLB.” Jon and his wife, Brennan, have been married since 2019.

SCOUT
Chicago, IL
312-909-3602
Linda@ScoutU.com

Linda Blackwell Bentley, who lives in Chicago, Ill., is a former collegiate women’s basketball player at the University of Illinois-Chicago – an NCAA Division I school — and has coached both girls high school tennis and basketball. A three-sport All-Conference and All-Sectional varsity athlete in tennis, basketball and softball at a high school with over 3,200 students, she also was named All-State honorable mention in basketball and invited to tryout for the Pan American Games/Junior Olympics after graduation. Linda was recruited by various colleges and still has her National Letter of Intent from the University of Alabama-Huntsville, an NCAA Division II school. She was offered a full scholarship to play in both tennis and basketball there. Instead, she decided to accept a full scholarship and play for Illinois-Chicago and a was a top basketball player during her career there, averaging 14.4 points a game and being in the top 20 in career field goals made. Linda was the varsity basketball coach at Beacon Academy High School in Evanston, Ill., during the 2019-20 season. Linda earned a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and art education at UIC. She has made a career in business of graphic design and created marketing materials for various clients, including the Chicago Blackhawks and Nike. Additionally, she manages an art collection. The Getty Museum in Los Angeles has acquired a portion of the collection to become part of its permanent collection.

SCOUT
Cleveland, OH
216-990-8617
DJ@ScoutU.com

DJ Blanks, who lives in Cleveland, Ohio, has been training and scouting thousands of athletes since 2017. He has trained athletes of all levels, from youth, middle school, high school, collegiate players ranging from NAIA to Division I as well as overseas professionals and NBA players. He was also given the privilege to coach and train LeBron James and his kids Bronny and Bryce James. Since doing that, he has gained a large connection with college and professional coaches and has helped over 200 players gain full scholarships to play basketball at the next level. Players such as Chris Livingston (Milwaukee Bucks), Bronny James (University of Southern California), Sencire Harris (University of Illinois), Paris Gilmore (University of Detroit-Mercy), Mari Bickley (University of Princeton), Quentin Toles (Lynn University), Lanae Riley (University of Akron) and Eric Holley (University of Toledo).

DJ has also been an NBA trainer for the Cleveland Cavaliers and has run many camps with hundreds of players in attendance as well as college coaches in attendance. He has played professional basketball overseas in Italy, China and Sweden. DJ has a professional championship as the starting point guard for Italy Green Basket ASD. He also played as the starting point guard for NCAA D1 at Texas Southern University and played in the NCAA Tournament as well as the NIT. DJ was named Defensive Player of the Year and led the NCAA D1 in triple doubles in 2016 and has also won two conference championships. He graduated with a double bachelor’s degree in business management/marketing and sports management from Texas Southern. DJ attended high school at LeBron James’ alma mater, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, where he won two state championships and was a top–10 player in Ohio.

SCOUT
Knoxville, TN
865-361-3718
Nick@ScoutU.com

Nick Hathcoat, who lives in Knoxville, Tenn., played NCAA Division I baseball at the University of Evansville in Indiana. He also played for Division I Austin Peay State University in Tennessee and at the JUCO level for Highland Community College in Kansas. Out of high school, he played for a U.S. National Team based out of New York City before beginning his college career. After his college baseball career, he has stayed involved in the sport by providing fielding and hitting lessons to kids ages 6 to 18 years old and also coached a local travel team. Nick also has been a strength and agility coach for athletes in the Knoxville area as well. 

Most recently, Nick has been an account development manager for Pilot Flying J. He decided to become a scout because of his passion for the game of baseball and helping athletes achieve their dreams of playing at the next level. His personal experiences of being recruited throughout high school is a great benefit for all athletes needing help through their own process.

SCOUT
Vancouver, BC
604-808-5215
Susan@ScoutU.com

Susan Kemper’s college recruitment experience began building in 2014 when she independently navigated the softball college recruitment process for her daughter, leading to multiple NCAA Division I full-ride offers and successfully signing in 2015. From there, Susan was invited to be the Recruitment Manager for the Synergy Gold Travel Team, leading families through the recruitment process with information, tools, advice and building a trusting relationship with everyone throughout the process.

Susan is a BC Athletic Hall of Fame inductee and is a former Canadian National Team athlete in artistic swimming, achieving podium success in several world-level competitions, including silver medals in the 1991 and 1995 Pan American Games and the 1995 World Championships. Susan has held multiple titles in the sport, including British Columbia’s High-Performance Director, Technical Director, Provincial Training Centre, Provincial Head Coach and the longest running club Head Coach in the province where she produced over 20 national and Olympic team athletes for Canada. She has held multiple international coaching contracts in the U.S., Malaysia, Netherlands, Austria and Brazil, coaching at the Pan American Games, the FINA World Aquatic Championships and the Olympic Qualifier. In 2007, Susan was named Canada’s Olympic Head Coach after leading their senior programs for 7 years where she qualified the team for the Beijing Games.  

As a Chartered Professional Coach, Susan is Nationally Certified Level 5 with the Coaches of Canada, the highest ranking in Canadian sport education. She is the ninth woman in Canada with that coaching education level and the first coach in artistic swimming. In 2006, Susan was amongst the grand opening inductees into her hometown’s Sports Hall of Fame as Builder in Sport.

“I firmly believe that sports are here to enhance our lives. I strive for that in all the roles I’ve held in sports and look forward to continuing that philosophy for years to come.”

SCOUT
Toronto, ON
778-865-4653
Chris@ScoutU.com

Chris Lee, who lives in Toronto, ON, embarked on his golfing journey at the age of 19, honing his skills and passion for the sport. His dedication and unwavering commitment led to a remarkable career that saw him compete at the highest levels of professional golf, including on the PGA Tour, and in various corners of the world, including Asia, Europe, the United States and Canada.

One of the notable highlights of Chris’s career was his sponsorship by Samsung Corporation, a testament to his exceptional talent and marketability within the sport. This partnership not only allowed him to further excel on the golf course but also solidified his presence as a prominent figure in the golfing community.

Beyond his achievements as a professional golfer, Chris is also recognized for his contributions as a golf coach. He has played a pivotal role in nurturing the talents of aspiring young golfers, guiding them on their journey to success. His coaching prowess has seen several of his students flourish on both the LPGA Tour and the KLPGA Tour, solidifying his reputation as a premier instructor. Also, some of his students have been fortunate enough to secure spots in prestigious U.S. colleges such as Pepperdine, UNLV, and Towson, thanks to Chris’s expert coaching and guidance. Furthermore, Chris has had the privilege of coaching individuals who have gone on to represent Canada as members of the national team, a testament to his ability to identify and nurture talent at the highest level of the sport.

In his current role as a scout for ScoutU, Chris leverages his extensive experience and network within the golfing community to help talented athletes secure coveted scholarships at U.S. colleges. With his keen eye for talent and profound understanding of the college recruitment process, Chris is dedicated to empowering young athletes and providing them with opportunities to excel academically and athletically.

Chris’ multifaceted career, encompassing his achievements as a PGA Tour player, his success as a coach and his commitment to guiding athletes toward scholarship opportunities, showcases his unwavering dedication to the world of golf and sports education. His expertise and passion continue to make a profound impact on the lives and careers of aspiring athletes, shaping the future of golfing talent both in Canada and beyond.

SCOUT
Jacksonville, FL & Western Australia
704-816-9367
WesM@ScoutU.com

Wes Morgan, who is from Charlotte, NC, and lives in  Jacksonville, FL, is the head varsity basketball coach and director of operations at Christ’s Church Academy (Jacksonville). He was one of the top recruits in the U.S. out of high school. Wes received over 15 NCAA Division I scholarship offers. He signed to the top 3-point shooting school in all of Division I with the University of North Florida. Wes finished out his playing career at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, NC (NCAA D2). Wes then went on to play three seasons of professional basketball in Australia. He has helped sign multiple players to collegiate scholarship offers, some of which now are all-conference players in college in the U.S. Wes has been the head coach of many teams, including the Charlotte Panthers AAU, Devonport Warriors U16s (Tasmania, Australia) More Than Conquerors B Grade Men (Western Australia) and More Than Conquerors U18 (Western Australia). He has also been the assistant coach on various teams and universities, including Ardrey Kell High School, Converse University (grad player/coach) and Lees-McRae College JV program. Wes has also been building basketball clubs in Australia and most recently a faith-based club in Bunbury, Western Australia, called More Than Conquerors Basketball Club. These positions have made Wes fall in love with bettering other people’s lives and building a winning culture. His passion is recruiting, coaching, leading, mentoring and developing.

Wes lives in Jacksonville with his wife, Lindsey.

SCOUT
Indianapolis, IN
816-651-7973
Brandon@ScoutU.com

Brandon Rush, who lives in Carmel, Ind., and is from Kansas City, Mo., played 10 years in the NBA and won an NCAA Division I national championship with the University of Kansas in 2008. He was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in the first round (13th overall) in 2008. Brandon won an NBA title with the Golden State Warriors in 2015. His NBA career featured playing with the Indiana Pacers, Warriors, Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves. Brandon also played two seasons in Greece. Since retiring from playing basketball, he has worked in TV as a college basketball in-studio analyst for CBS Sports. Brandon comes from a basketball family with his older brothers, Kareem and JaRon, playing D1 at Missouri and UCLA, respectively. Kareem also played 8 years in the NBA.  Player evaluating and helping kids get to the next level has always been a passion of his!

SCOUT
North Vancouver, BC
604-213-9475
Trevor@ScoutU.com

Trevor Shoaf, who lives in North Vancouver, BC, and is originally from Prince George, BC, has a wealth of experience and a passion for sports and education. Trevor learned the values of hard work, perseverance and teamwork from a young age growing up in British Columbia’s northern capital.

Trevor’s journey in the world of elite competition sports began in hockey. He showcased his talent with the Kymberly Dynamiters in the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League as well as the Spokane Chiefs and the Prince George Cougars in the Western Hockey League, where he made his mark in the Canadian junior hockey leagues. Not limited to ice, Trevor’s athleticism extends to other sports as well, earning him a gold medal in box lacrosse at the British Columbia Summer Games during his youth at 15. As a firm believer in the benefits of being a multi-sport athlete, Trevor’s diverse experiences add depth to his scouting approach.

Trevor’s commitment to both sports and education led him to earn a full scholarship to the University of British Columbia, where he pursued a dual major in psychology and economics while playing for the UBC Thunderbirds hockey team. His leadership abilities honed as he captained the team for two seasons. Notably, he was a nominee for the graduating male athlete of the year award (Bobby Gaul Memorial Trophy) as well as winning defenseman of the year and most valuable player awards during playing years at UBC. After a tryout with Canadian Olympic team and seasons with Tulsa Oilers (Central Hockey League) and Binghampton Icemen (United Hockey League), it was time to lean on the degree.

Beyond the field and the classroom, Trevor has excelled as an entrepreneur, having built and sold a successful small business, as well as worked for and with several internationally known brands in various leadership roles. His coaching credentials in baseball and hockey are further testaments to his dedication to sports development. Trevor generously volunteers his time and expertise to coach elite baseball, soccer and hockey players, leaving a positive impact on young athletes and their journey.

As a father of two sons who share his love for sports and learning, Trevor is not only a dedicated family man but also a caring mentor. His personal experiences and accomplishments uniquely position him to guide aspiring student-athletes towards success.

Trevor’s belief in ScoutU’s mission aligns perfectly with his own journey. He understands the transformative power of sports scholarships and the life-long opportunities they offer. His vast experience and knowledge make him an invaluable asset for our athletes, not just as a scout but as a mentor and role model.

SCOUT
Philadelphia, PA
215-460-9434
AlexS@ScoutU.com

Alex Shusterman, who lives in Philadelphia, PA, has immersed himself in sports from a young age. His journey began with club sports like baseball, basketball and soccer during his school years, shaping him into a seasoned sports performance specialist. From guiding novice athletes to refining the skills of elite competitors, Alex’s passion for athletic excellence led him to establish his own company — Shu’s Sports Performance. He has worked with college and pro players with athletes from Denmark, Columbia University, Colorado University, Drexel University, Lindenwood University, Bloomsburg University, West Chester University and more. Most of the athletes at these schools are playing soccer; however, he works with basketball and hockey athletes as well.

Beyond honing athletic abilities, Alex has dedicated himself to coaching soccer at both club and high school levels post-college. In 2023, he coached the varsity Hatboro Horsham High School girls soccer team, leading them to a winning season and two wins in the playoffs in his first season. Alex holds a D-License in soccer coaching and will be working towards his C-License shortly.

With a knack for building connections within the sports community, Alex is applying his expertise in talent identification and development.

SCOUT
Seattle, WA
425-577-1833
Joey@ScoutU.com

Joey Sullivan, who lives in Bellevue, WA, has been involved in football for over 20 years. After high school, he played wide receiver at Bellevue College where he was part of the school’s inaugural team in 2013 and won a league championship in 2015. Joey later transferred to Pacific Lutheran University to finish his playing career and earn his degree in kinesiology in 2018. 

After college, Joey transitioned into coaching high school football. He coached at Sammamish High School from 2018 to 2022, serving as the wide receivers and defensive backs coach and late was promoted to defensive coordinator. During this time, Joey also worked as an athlete evaluator for a local private company in the Seattle area. In this role, he was responsible for assessing athletes’ movement patterns and helping them change their biomechanics to improve their athletic performance and prevent injuries.

Most recently, Joey has served as a sports performance coach. He helps train athletes in all sports from middle school to college-aged, specializing in speed, agility and change of direction training. He works with many teams in the area and is heavily involved in their offseason training programs. Joey loves the opportunity to help athletes reach their full potential and is eager to be a mentor to kids in their athletic journeys.

SCOUT
Cherry Hill, NJ
856-278-8002
AlexT@ScoutU.com

Alex Tafaro, who lives in New Jersey, has more than 20 years of baseball experience. He attended Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken, NJ, where he played varsity baseball and received multiple offers out of high school, ultimately enrolling in Gettysburg College. Alex also has playing experience at the club (19U South Jersey Diamond Kings and 19U Pennsauken Senior American Legion) and the semi-pro (Delran in the Rancocas Valley League) levels. In addition, Alex attended the ScoutingAcademy, led by former NFL scout Dan Hartman where he learned to better evaluate athletes and their ability to play at the next level.

Upon graduating from Gettysburg College in 2016 with a degree in sociology, Alex has been living in the southern New Jersey region since. Alex brings a wealth of local high school and club baseball knowledge as someone who was born, raised and played the majority of his career in southern New Jersey and other regional areas (lower Pennsylvania, upper Delaware and upper Maryland). Alex strongly believes in the ScoutU mission to personally scout the student-athletes he recruits and possess a sharp eye for talent.

Alex decided to become a scout due to his passion for athletics and desire to help other student-athletes achieve their dreams of playing collegiate baseball.

SCOUT
Omaha, NE
253-224-4584
Ryan@ScoutU.com

Ryan Thompson, who lives in Omaha, NE, boasts an impressive background in collegiate soccer both as a player and coach. His athletic journey began at Tacoma Community College where he had a successful soccer career before transferring to Waldorf College to continue his pursuit of soccer excellence. After college, he transitioned into coaching, beginning his coaching career at his alma mater, Waldorf College, where he served as a coach for 1 year.  

Ryan’s coaching career quickly gained momentum as he moved to Iowa Western Community College, a top-5 national JUCO program where he coached for 2 years and refined his skills in team management and player development. His journey then took him to the South Dakota School of Mines, where he started as an assistant coach and was promoted to head coach after just one season, a role he held for 4 years. Most recently, Ryan moved to Utah State University Eastern, leading the team to its most successful season in program history and finishing 17th in the nation. Over the course of his coaching career, Ryan has scouted, recruited and signed over 400 soccer players, showcasing his keen eye for talent and ability to build competitive teams.

SCOUT
Louisville, KY
502-321-1745
Mitchell@ScoutU.com

Mitchell Tinsley, who lives in Louisville, Ky., is the Owner/CEO of Premier Sports Travel Baseball Tournaments in Kentucky. He played college baseball at the JUCO, NAIA and NCAA Division I levels — Wabash Valley College in Illinois (JUCO), Cumberland University in Tennessee (NAIA) and Eastern Kentucky University (NCAA D1). Mitchell was an assistant baseball coach at Shelby County High School in Kentucky where he also was a three-sport athlete in baseball, basketball and track and graduated in 1989.

SCOUT
Bloomfield, NJ
908-455-2206
Ayana@ScoutU.com

Ayana Way, who lives in Bloomfield, NJ, has been involved with basketball for over 20 years.  During her time in high school, Ayana was a 3-year captain, a two-time Greater Middlesex County champion and a State Sectional champion.  After high school, she went on to become a NCAA Division III women’s basketball player at Centenary University in Hackettstown, NJ. During her college tenure, she was a 3-year captain, recorded the third-highest points scored in a single game and ranks in the top 10 in field goals made, assists and steals in Centenary women’s basketball history. Ayana graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education in 2008.  

Ayana is currently a middle school basketball coach in Plainfield, NJ, where she also teaches mathematics.  While teaching and coaching, she has earned a master’s degree in exercise science with a concentration in sports administration and coaching from Montclair State University.  Additionally, she has held roles that include a high school AAU basketball coach, summer assistant coach for the Plainfield High School girls’ basketball summer camp, elementary co-ed basketball coach and an athletic site manager/ticket associate within her district’s athletic department.  

Helping student-athletes achieve their goals athletically and academically as well as steering them down a path of success has always been her passion.