YLSA Board of Directors
Michelle James, Chair
Executive Director of Population Health Commercial Programs at Castell, an Intermountain Healthcare Company; Herriman, UT
Growing up I played a several youth and high school sports including softball, tennis, volleyball, and basketball. Playing sports give me the opportunity to learn how to be a teammate, accountability, resilience, and a love for being physically active. I have also spent many years coaching sports from youth to collegiate. As a coach and a board member, my commitment has remained to provide opportunities for youth to play sports, and to focus on the life lessons learned through sports.
I have a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science and a Minor in Coaching from the University of Utah, and a Masters of Business Administration from Westminster College. For the last five years, I’ve worked at Intermountain Healthcare as Executive Director of Population Health Commercial Programs.
I love spending time with my family, which includes watching my two boys play sports. We love to travel as a family and always look for the chance to attend Major League Baseball games.
Chad Grundy, Vice Chair
Utah Bureau of Forensic Services Senior Forensic Scientist; South Jordan, Utah
I grew up in Riverton, Utah where I learned to love baseball from the rich traditions of Riverton Babe Ruth Baseball league. My dad served as the President of Riverton baseball for a time, so the Grundy family basically grew up at the ballpark. I played football, baseball and basketball for Bingham High School. I played for the best coaches in the state and again learned to honor and respect athletics and gained a stronger love for the deep traditions that athletics can provide. I played baseball at Snow College and Southern Utah University. I graduated from University of Nevada Las Vegas with a bachelors degree in Biology. I was hired to the Utah Bureau of Forensic Services where I have worked for over 18 years in Biology/DNA, Crime Scene Response and Latent Prints.
I have coached youth football, baseball, and basketball for over 12 years. I have been apart of Club Hardball Bulldogs and YLSA for the past 7 years.
Matt Hansen, Board Member - Head Trainer - Speed and Agility
Neuroworx - Doctor of Physical Therapy; Sandy, Utah
I have been active in sport and fitness for my entire life. In 2005 I graduated from the University of Utah with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy and began my professional career at Neuroworx where I have continued for the past 16 years. In 2017 I became part of the Club Hardball Bulldog Family when my then 14 y/o son joined one of the teams. My knowledge and expertise were immediately put to work in assisting with the overall fitness and athletic development of the teams. For the past 5 years I have worked as the Head Trainer in developing and overseeing the off-season speed and agility training for the club as a whole. I love seeing the progress and success of each kid as they put in hard work to improve their mental and physical athleticism. I am married and have 2 kids – Zoie age 22 who competed for West Jordan in softball, and Devan age 17, a current varsity baseball player also for West Jordan High School. In my free time I loves to hike, mountain bike, work out and play pickleball.
Patrick Boice, Secretary
Boice Law, LLC - Founder, Salt Lake City Utah
I have been involved with youth sports for over 25 years and have seen all sides of competition. Beginning as a referee for youth basketball and as a little league umpire, I have coached baseball, basketball, football, rugby, and soccer. Now as a parent of athletes I am experiencing a whole different side of sports and its role as a teaching tool. During the day, I practice law throughout the Intermountain Region and work with businesses and various Indian Tribes. I am presently the coach of a competitive youth baseball team and enjoy watching the growth that occurs on and off the field. My spouse, Tara, is remarkably patient, especially on Saturdays in the spring. Together we have four fantastic kids – two boys and two girls – all of whom engage in youth activities in our community.
Tim Odell
, Board Member – Business Development
Executive Vice President at Ames Construction Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah
I was born and raised in a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota; attended the University of Minnesota and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. I have been employed by Ames Construction, Inc. for the past 28 years; Ames Construction Inc. is one of the largest privately held construction companies in the US and I am currently an Executive Vice President.
I have been active in baseball either as a player, coach, fan and parent since I was 6 years old.My family and I moved to the Salt Lake City area in the spring of 2010 and we have been involved with baseball from recreational to currently high school level.I became involved in Club Hardball shortly after it was started by Brad Beadles.My wife, LeeRan and I have two sons, Matthew (15) who is a freshman in High School and Jacob (14) who is in 8th grade and has played for Club Hardball since he was 8 years old.
Kim Crook, Treasurer
My love for extra-curricular sports programs stems back to my college days when I studied and then taught elementary education. As a teacher, I saw incredible value in the lives of the students who participated in team sports. In general, I noticed that their ability to collaborate was stronger and they could focus longer. I knew I wanted my kids to participate and learn the skills that can only come from team sports. I come from baseball blood. My dad was the MVP of his high school team back before batters even wore helmets. I never played myself, but my two boys got the gene so we have been in the competitive baseball world for over 8 years now. Our family has learned a lot along the way, but most of all we have learned to trust the process of progression. Club Hardball, under the direction of YLSA, has offered a consistent and safe place for my boys to grow. I am grateful for the opportunity to help offer this type of program to everyone I can.