About Us

Saint Paul Blackhawks Soccer Club

MEET THE BLACKHAWKS STAFF

Viktor Adamcsek

Executive Director

Technical Director

Prior to 2001, Viktor played professional soccer for MTK Hungary and Kecskemet F.C. He played for the Hungarian National Team between the ages U13-16 and collected a total of 26 international caps against teams, including Scotland, Russia, Italy, Cyprus, and Sweden. He is a five time Youth Hungarian National Champion, and the winner of two Gothia Cups (1993, 1995) and one USA Cup (1997).Viktor graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2005 and received a master’s degree in sports management in March of 2007. Viktor was the assistant varsity coach at Spring Lake Park High School (2004-2006, women), head coach of Hopkins Hatari (2004-2006, U16-U18G) and Northern Lights (2007, U17B), assistant women’s coach at St. Olaf College (2007-2012), and Cretin Derham Hall Men’s Varsity Coach (2012 to 2015). Viktor’s deep experience in playing and coaching, combined with his passion and dedication for the game, will help the club in its journey to become one of the best youth soccer clubs in the state and the country.

Brian Catrine

DOC Boys U11-U19

Brian was a member of the University of Minnesota Men’s Club Team and competed in 2 NSCAA National Championships in 1997 and 1998. He has over 20 years of coaching experience and has been with Blackhawks since 2012 as a Coach, Board Member, and Director of Coaching for the Juniors Program.  In addition to his passion for soccer, Brian is also heavily involved in futsal both locally and nationally.  He is currently the Executive Director for United States Youth Futsal (USYF) as well as an International Coach for the organization.  He has been selected to coach teams in Argentina, Portugal, and Spain which competed in International Friendlies against local youth academies and national youth teams.  Brian is also a National Futsal Instructor with USYF.  Brian has earned his USSF National Youth License, USC National and Advanced National Diplomas, USC Goalkeeper 1 certification, USC Futsal Certification, and USYF International License

Chris Scanlon

  DOC Developmental

Chris played on the University of Minnesota Men’s Club Team, was Club President from 1999-2001, and coached the JV team from 2002-2007. He coached MN high school soccer from 1999-2017 and has been a college assistant with the Bethel University men’s team since 2018. Chris was a lead Olympic Development coach in Minnesota for 6 years and has coached with numerous clubs across the state. Chris has a Master’s degree in Special Education from Bethel University and has worked in the Mounds View School district since 2004. Chris has earned the USSF B License, the USSF National Youth License, the NSCAA Advanced National Diploma, the NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma, the NSCAA Goalkeeping Regional Diploma and has completed NHSF Coaching and First Aid Certification.

Chris brings a wealth of teaching, high level playing, coaching and training experience to Blackhawks, in addition to years of coaching Blackhawk teams. We are excited to bring Chris’s training skills to our youngest players, helping the club to fulfill our mission of developing stronger, more competitive teams in the future.

Victoria Vargas

 DOC Girls U11-U19

The San Diego, California native played for the University of St. Thomas from 2012-15, receiving conference honorable mention in 2014 and serving as a team captain during her senior season. Vargas is entering her third season as the assistant coach of the St. Thomas women’s soccer team in 2023 where she has helped with the Tommie’s historic inaugural Division 1 transition. As a member of the Tommie coaching staff, she helped close the Division III chapter with a 22-game unbeaten streak (17-0-5). In 2019, Vargas and staff were named the North Region Coaching Staff of the Year, where the team claimed MIAC regular-season and playoff championships and tied for fifth place nationally. 

Vargas has coached at the high school level, as well as assisting in the US Soccer Development Academy ages GU15, GU17 and GU19 for Shattuck St. Mary’s School. In addition to head coaching SSM U19 Girls in the Premier 2 Division of National League’s Midwest Conference, she previously worked with U11 and U12 Girls Junior Blackhawks teams from 2020-2022. She is a current USSF ‘B’ License candidate and holds a USSF National ‘C’ License.

Alyssa Arredondo

Alyssa joined Blackhawks in 2019 as a part-time Club Administrator, having left Corporate America after 20+ years. Her three kids have all played with Blackhawks (one is still with the club). Alyssa has coached since 2007 and holds a USSF D License. Experience includes U9-U18 boys and girls for Lakes United FC, Blackhawks, and St. Paul Central Boys.
In her youth, she played competitive travel soccer in Washington state (River City Steelers and Spokane Skyhawks), Varsity all four years in high school and named to the All-City team. Play continued while living in France (co-ed soccer in college) and then with men’s and co-ed leagues in California while in graduate school. After moving to MN in 1999, she played co-ed soccer with CSC Sports.
Alyssa holds a BA in French and a Master’s Degree in International Marketing. She is married to Aaron Arredondo and they have three rotten, ungrateful children.  Two are in college and one is in high school. 

John Swallen

Born and raised in MN, John graduated from Breck School 1983 with All Conference and All State honors. Graduated with a BA in Physical Education from Ripon College in WI.  All-Conference Goalkeeper 1984-86.  Div. III All-State 1985 & 1986.  Starting keeper for MN Men’s State Select 1985-93.  Member of Region II Men’s Soccer team 1989-93.  Member of US Men’s National “B” Team 1993.  Starting goalkeeper for MN Thunder Pro Soccer Team 1990-2001.  A-League MVP 1999.  League Champions 1999.

Owned and operated Mini-Kickers, Inc. teaching soccer to 3-5 year olds at local childcare facilities 1989-2015.  Varsity Girls Soccer Coach Mounds View High School 2000-2009.  Owned and operated The Wall, LLC. teaching goalkeeper skills 2005-2015.  Goalkeeper director MTA Soccer Club 2010-2018.  National “B” coaching license 2017.  Head coach U17/19 Boys US Development Academy MTA Soccer Club 2017/18.   Coach and goalkeeping director St Paul Blackhawks 2019-present.

Physical Education teacher at Breck School.  Married to Tami Swallen and father to six kids.

Megan Kaczmarek

Kaczmarek has been a member of Blackhawks since 2021, joining the Juniors coaching staff. Since then, Megan also joined the (Girls) College Showcase team and assisted in the implementation of this program club-wide. Outside of Blackhawks, Megan is an assistant coach with the women’s soccer program at Hamline University, staff coach with Minnesota Olympic Development Program (ODP), and staff coach with TC Sala Futsal Academy. 

Prior to joining Blackhawks, Kaczmarek coached with other clubs and high schools in the twin cities metropolitan area. In addition, Megan spent two years as an athletic communications intern with the University of Minnesota Athletic Department. Following graduation, Megan was a sports information director (SID) for a NCAA Division III Athletic Department covering women’s and men’s soccer, men’s basketball, and softball. 

Kaczmarek has her Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Sports Management with an emphasis in coaching. When not on the pitch, Megan enjoys listening to Taylor Swift as loudly as possible, working out, running, reading, and pursuing time for activism in areas important to Megan. 

Kaczmarek lives in Woodbury with her black lab, Leo.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Board of Directors

President 
Heidi Wisner Staloch (term ends Nov 2025)
[email protected]

Secretary
Orsi England (term ends Nov 2024)
[email protected]

Treasurer 
Jeff Ellerd (term ends Nov 2023)
[email protected]

 

 

Directors At-Large

Elected or appointed to represent the whole membership

Johan Boysen (term ends Nov 2023)
[email protected]

BJ Stevens (term ends Nov 2024)
[email protected]

Pratik Ray (term ends Nov 2024)
[email protected]

Edith Emmings (term ends Nov 2025)
[email protected]

Ben Exley (term ends Nov 2025)
[email protected]

Michael de Leon (term ends Nov 2025)
[email protected]

Adam Walsh (term ends Nov 2025)
[email protected]

Board Information