Meet Our Staff
Tom Gerlach Executive Director
“My life changed in 1995 when I heard about a soccer team that traveled internationally to share their faith in Jesus Christ. Before playing in college for Coach Stephen Jones at Carson Newman, I never knew you could combine your faith with your sport. So I went with the Charlotte Eagles to Russia and was able to see how I wasn’t a soccer player who believed in Christ, but a Christian who played soccer. Since then, I have come on staff with Missionary Athletes International and led over 10 international tours to Brazil to show teens what it looks like to share their faith on the soccer field. I want other coaches and players to realize that soccer is just a tool we can use to create a culture where Christ is at the center and the goal is to lead others towards Him.”
Tom Gerlach's coaching resume includes a combined total of 34 seasons from a multitude of organizations, both boys and girls. At the high levels, he has head coached in the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) and assistant coached at Tusculum University (NCAA Division II). Tom has also head coached high school boys at Christian Academy of Knoxville (CAK) and Christ Presbyterian Academy (CPA), girls high school soccer at CPA, and both boys and girls Division I club soccer. Tom has been named “Coach of the Year” 15 times, he’s had 14 state final appearances, 9 state championships, and he holds the TN High School record for the most consecutive high school state championships (5). Tom holds a United Soccer Coaches National Diploma.
He is the Director of Eagles Academy Nashville (a satellite office of Missionary Athletes International). He sits on the Tennessee High School Soccer Coaches Association Executive board and chairs the Pinnacle Award for the United Soccer Coaches Association. He also is co chair for the Tennessee United Soccer Coaches’ All American committee.
Tom resides in Nashville, TN with his wife, Jodi, and two children.
Jodi Gerlach Chief Operations Officer
Jodi was introduced to Missionary Athletes International in 1995 where she took a tour with the Charlotte Eagles during the summer months between her college seasons at Tusculum College in TN where she was the captain of her squad.
She met her husband at this same time and they decided that they wanted to become a part of this organization. They both came on staff as Directors of International Youth Tours through the Charlotte Office where they led over 15 mission trips to Brazil. They have been on staff with the eagles since 2010 and started their Eagles academy Nashville in 2019 where she handles all the logistics and administration tasks.
Nate Clapp Director of Urban Ministries
“I was first introduced to the Eagles through the coach of the rival team of my high school. I am thankful that Jesus sees past all rivals because joining the Eagles has brought me freedom in coaching. I did 3 Brazil Youth Tours with the Charlotte Eagles and it was actually the pre tour work we did with the Urban Eagles in Charlotte that lighted a fire in me to bring it back to Nashville where I was born and raised.”
Nate started his career coaching at Warren Central High School and SKY Futbol Club in Bowling Green, KY while he attended WKU. Once graduated he came back home to help coach at his old school, Lighthouse Christian School until getting a full time job at Page High School where he has been since 2007. At Page he has won 9 District Championships, 7 Region Championships, 3 State Finals, and 1 State Championship. Nate has done work with Tennessee Soccer Club and Nashville United Soccer Academy. Nate holds a United Soccer Coaches National Diploma.
Along with directing the Urban Eagles for the Eagles Academy Nashville, he is also involved with the Tennessee High School Soccer Coaches Association, USMC Sports Leadership Academy, FCA Huddle Coach, and FCA Brazil Missions.
Nate resides in Nashville, TN