Meet The Coaches

Lee Bakewell

Meet Lee Bakewell, the visionary founder and owner of Penn Prospects Soccer Schools. Lee's coaching journey began with a simple yet powerful aspiration – to make a meaningful impact and difference in the lives of individual players while rekindling the love for the game. His dedication to player development goes beyond the field, reflecting a passion for soccer that goes hand in hand with creating positive experiences.Lee’s previous role was as Academy Director at TSF Academy [MLS NEXT Founding Member Club] from 2013-2022 before leaving his role to focus on developing soccer in Northampton County, PA region where he currently lives with his wife, Rhianna and two dogs Nuno and Quinn.  

Lee currently holds his USSF ‘A’ Youth, USSF ‘A’ National, United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma and US Soccer Coach Educator Grassroots License. Lee was awarded the Bob McNulty Coach of the Year Award by New Jersey Youth Soccer Association in 2020 for his contributions both on and off the field.

Lee held many roles at former club TSF Academy, including Academy Coach, Director of Coaching and Director of Operations.  He coached at all levels within the club, where he started in 2007, most recently the was the Head Coach of U'19 Boys MLS NEXT team and helped the team qualify for MLS NEXT Playoffs (2022) in the club's inaugural season within the elite platform via winning MLS NEXT FLEX to gain qualification.  
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Lee has coached various teams within MLS NEXT, US Soccer Development Academy, NPSL, EDP and USL Super Y-League during his time at the club.  Prior to joining TSF Academy, Lee spent three years working with AYSO programs in Southern California with Major League Soccer Camps.   Lee joined the Lehigh University Men’s Soccer Coaching staff in January, 2023 as Volunteer Assistant Coach and Director of Soccer Operations. Lee has experience coaching teams from U8 - U23 age groups, and most notably led the '95-'96 Girls Team to four successive National Finals in USL Super Y-League and the US Club Soccer National Premier League (NPL).  

Lee has coached multiple players that have gone on to play at the Division I, II and III Collegiate Level and the semi-professional levels within the USA at USL and NPSL. Lee has been fortunate to have worked around many prominent members of the youth coaching landscape, learning every day different methods and developing an ongoing understanding of the game.  He has a great deal of experience in developing club philosophy, developmental curriculums from grassroots to the highest level in the youth game.