On February 5, our community came together to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day.
Meet Our Coaches
Our coaches are committed to supporting the whole person. As a result, our scholar-athletes are able to thrive, and always raise the bar for themselves and their teammates.
Coach Erica fosters a positive team culture on the soccer team by building confidence and ensuring a team mindset. She provides both encouragement and helpful coaching advice and leads the team in engaging team bonding activities.Ella culligan '26
Fall 2024 Season Head Varsity Coaches
- Danielle Stanton, Cross Country
- Kerrie Burns, Field Hockey
- Erica Evans, Soccer
- David Phimsipasom, Tennis
- TBD, Volleyball
Danielle Stanton, Cross Country
Danielle Stanton assumed the reins of the Kent Place Cross Country program in the Spring of 2020 as our Spring Track & Field Distance Coach. Coach Stanton is eager to share her enthusiasm and experience as a Division I runner for Rutgers University with her student athletes. Coach Stanton currently teaches Physical Education at Plainfield High School. She was the Head XC Coach at Montville from 2011–2017. Coach Stanton believes in the importance of working as a team to determine what is best for each runner. Since her arrival to KPS the team has won the NJ Prep State Championships, been awarded Union County cross country team of the year, broken school records, and posted numerous PRs, as well as advancing to the Meet of Champions as a team in 2021 and 2022. Coach Stanton has also been awarded Union County coach of the year in 2021.
Contact: stantond@kentplace.org
Kerrie Burns, Field Hockey
Kerrie Burns is entering her second season as head coach after spending five years at Rutgers University where she competed at the division one level. Kerrie is an international coach from Northern Ireland, having both experience playing and coaching both locally and internationally. She also coaches at Mid-Jersey Knights FHC and USA NEXUS.
Kerrie has played for Ireland at a U18 National level. In the Fall of 2021, Kerrie was a part of the Rutgers University Women’s Field Hockey Team that won the Big10 Championship, during which time Kerrie was selected as the MVP of the Big10 Championship Tournament. Kerrie looks forward to building upon the strong foundation of KPFH and guiding student athletes who wish to play at the collegiate level.
Contact: burnsk@kentplace.org
Erica Evans, Soccer
Coach Erica began her coaching career at KPS as the Head JV Soccer Coach in 2019 and transitioned to the Varsity Assistant Coach role in 2021. During the winter and spring seasons, Coach Erica is the Assistant Varsity Coach for Track, helping mainly with jumpers and hurdlers. Coach Erica graduated from Morris Knolls High School as a three-sport athlete participating in soccer, and indoor and outdoor track. She then went on to play Division II soccer at Felician University as a starting outside full-back. She received All-Academic CACC Honors and graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology. Coach Erica continued her educational career at Montclair State University, receiving a master’s in clinical child psychology and school psychology certification. She currently works as a school psychologist in the Millburn-Short Hills school district.
Contact: evanse@kentplace.org
David Phimsipasom, Tennis
Coach Dave Phimsipasom has been with the KPS Tennis team since '09. Coach Dave’s accomplishments with the team currently are seven (2016-2022) Union County championships, NJSIAA Team State Championship in 2017 and 2nd place in 2020 NJSIAA Regional State Championship. Coach Dave also has been part of the coaching staff having three girls placing top 8 in the NJSIAA Individual state tournament and with a doubles team winning their first individual state championship. His passion for racquet sports continues to grow at Kent Place School as Coach Dave Phimsipasom is also Co-Head Coach for the Squash team. He is still active in the tennis community within the area, holding the Assistant Racquets Professional job at Beacon Hill Club. He is a certified PTR(Professional Tennis Registry) and PPR(Professional Pickleball Registry) also venturing into new racquet sports such as Pickleball, Paddle, Squash, and now Padel. He is no stranger to racquet sports!
Contact: phimsipasomd@kentplace.org
TBD, Volleyball
Winter 2024-2025 Season Head Varsity Coaches
- Mike Sudberg, Basketball
- Justin Gonzalez, Fencing
- Mike Wujek, Ice Hockey
- Geoff Mitchell and David Phimsipasom, Squash
- Marlene Curtis, Swimming
- Dominique Watkins and Danielle Stanton, Winter Track
Mike Sudberg, Basketball
Michael Sudberg is excited to begin his first season as Head Coach of Varsity Basketball at Kent Place. Coach Sudberg brings a wealth of experience to this position. Currently, Mr. Sudberg works as a physical education teacher in New Providence where he also coaches varsity football and is the head coach of the girls varsity golf team. Prior to that, he spent 8 years working as a physical education teacher at Stevens-Cooperative School where he coached the boys and girls, championship winning basketball teams.
Coach Sudberg played Division I baseball at Long Island University in Brooklyn before transferring to The University of Arizona to pursue his teaching degree. Coach Sudberg is passionate about motivating student athletes to reach their full potential and strives to develop leaders on and off the court.
Contact: Sudbergm@kentplace.org
Justin Gonzalez, Fencing
Justin Gonzalez has been fencing for 13 years. He attended and captained The Lawrenceville School team before moving on to D1 at New York University. Today, he coaches at Hub City Fencing Academy in Woodbridge, NJ.
Contact: Gonzalezj@kentplace.org
Mike Wujek, Ice Hockey
Coach Wujek has been with the Kent Place Ice Hockey team since 2017. In his first season the team won the inaugural MUGHIL Championship against a tough Chatham team as well as the Summit cup. Coach Wujek has also been successful outside of KPS, as one of the few girls’ coaches in NJ since 2001, winning the GAL. Long time Montclair Blues coach as well winning NJYHL boys States, Silver Sticks tourney, and many more. As a USA Hockey Atlantic District Associate Coach in Chief, and member of USA Hockey’s coaching education program for the last ten years. Wujek has enjoyed educating coaches around the country in the values a coach can teach through this great sport. Over his career Coach Wujek has taught; Learn to Skate, Hockey Development, Mites, Squirts, Peewee, Bantam, Midgets, HS and Adult, girls and boys, House and Travel, etc.... (However, I’m still looking for that NHL position). USA hockey certification- Lifetime Level 5 attained in 2005, 2013 awarded a trip to Minnesota USA Hockey Advanced Girls Clinic, USA Hockey Coaching Instructor, USA Hockey instructor for Philadelphia Blind Hockey Clinic, USA Hockey Sled hockey championship representative.
Contact: Wujekm@kentplace.org
Geoff Mitchell and David Phimsipasom, Squash
Coach Dave Phimsipasom has been with the KPS Tennis team since '09. Coach Dave’s accomplishments with the team currently are seven (2016-2022) Union County championships, NJSIAA Team State Championship in 2017 and 2nd place in 2020 NJSIAA Regional State Championship. Coach Dave also has been part of the coaching staff having three girls placing top 8 in the NJSIAA Individual state tournament and with a doubles team winning their first individual state championship. His passion for racquet sports continues to grow at Kent Place School as Coach Dave Phimsipasom is also Co-Head Coach for the Squash team. He is still active in the tennis community within the area, holding the Assistant Racquets Professional job at Beacon Hill Club. He is a certified PTR(Professional Tennis Registry) and PPR(Professional Pickleball Registry) also venturing into new racquet sports such as Pickleball, Paddle, Squash, and now Padel. He is no stranger to racquet sports!
Contact: Phimsipasomd@kentplace.org
Geoff Mitchell runs Mitchellsquash and is the head squash profession at the Chatham Club. Geoff was ranked #1 in the US over 45 in 2010/2011. He finished 2nd. in the world over 30’s, has reached the US national semifinals in his age group several times and has been ranked as high as #1 in his age group in the US. As a former squash professional himself, with national and world rankings he has developed hundreds of juniors to play intercollegiate squash as well as lead successful juniors to US National titles and rankings. His students have competed on US National teams for the world juniors as well as the Pan American Games. Geoff coached the USA Bu19’s at the 2015 British Open and is currently the head regional squash coach for the NJ, NY junior squads. For the past three years Geoff Mitchell has been the chairman of the board of StreetSquash Newark, a non-profit after-school youth enrichment program that provides intensive academic support, squash instruction, one-on-one mentoring, service learning, college access and preparation, and professional development for young people from adolescence through college graduation. Geoff was awarded the United States Olympic Committee National Coach of the Year Award in 2016.
Contact: Mitchellg@kentplace.org
Marlene Curtis, Swimming
Marlene Curtis has been coaching at Kent Place since 2021. Marlene has been involved in coaching or teaching swimming for 25 + years. She continues to coach at Berkeley Aquatic Club during the year. In addition to coaching Marlene has taught at Kean University for 36 years in the Health and Human Performance Department. During the summer months she keeps busy as the Pool Director and Head Swim Team Coach at Echo Lake Country Club. Marlene also serves on the NJ Swimming Board of Directors as the Registration Chair and Safe Sport Chair. This past season was an exciting season as Kent Place made it to the second round of the state tournament.
Contact: Curtism@kentplace.org
Dominique Watkins and Danielle Stanton, Winter Track
Danielle Stanton assumed the reins of the Kent Place Cross Country program in the Spring of 2020 as our Spring Track & Field Distance Coach. Coach Stanton is eager to share her enthusiasm and experience as a Division I runner for Rutgers University with her student athletes. Coach Stanton currently teaches Physical Education at Plainfield High School. She was the Head XC Coach at Montville from 2011–2017. Coach Stanton believes in the importance of working as a team to determine what is best for each runner. Since her arrival to KPS the team has won the NJ Prep State Championships, been awarded Union County cross country team of the year, broken school records, and posted numerous PRs, as well as advancing to the Meet of Champions as a team in 2021 and 2022. Coach Stanton has also been awarded Union County coach of the year in 2021.
Contact: stantond@kentplace.org
Coach Watkins came to KPS during the Winter 2018 season and assumed the Head Coaching position for the Dragons’ Winter Track team. Following the Winter 2018-19 season Coach Watkins took the helm of the Spring Track & Field program in 2019 and has not looked back. Coach Watkins is a graduate of Abraham Clark in Union County with great experience in Union County sports. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2018, where she was a Division I scholar athlete. Since arriving at Kent Place, our team has consistently set new school records, won conference and county championships including mentoring Meet of Champions winners in the 55m and 400m.
Contact: watkinsd@kentplace.org
Spring 2025 Season Head Varsity Coaches
- Ashley Quinn, Lacrosse
- TBD, Flag Football
- Jacklyn Torres, Softball
- Marissa Broderick, Golf
- Dominique Watkins and Danielle Stanton, Spring Track
Ashley Quinn, Lacrosse
Ashley Quinn took the reins of the Kent Place lacrosse program in the spring of 2017. Since then, she has steadily grown the program, coaching both the Middle School and Upper School teams. Coach Quinn is driven by her experience as a Division I player at Loyola University, and her coaching philosophy is influenced heavily by her late coach, Diane Aikens. She believes in the value of hard work, commitment and dedication in order to develop leaders on and off the field. Prior to Kent Place, Coach Quinn coached at Stevens Institute of Technology, STEPS Lacrosse, and for various youth programs. She is also a certified yoga instructor, influencing the value placed on developing the whole student-athlete. Since her arrival, the programs have grown in size and their ability to compete, bringing home an undefeated Conference Championship in 2022.
Contact: quinna@kentplace.org
TBD, Flag Football
Jacklyn Torres, Softball
Coach Torres has been passionate about softball since she began playing T-ball at the age of five. As she developed her skills, she played catcher and shortstop for Colonia Recreation and discovered her love for the outfield with the Colonia Cyclones, where she competed from 10u to 18u. In high school, she played left and center field for the Varsity team at Colonia High School, earning a division title, serving as team captain, and receiving several all-star nominations. Continuing her career at Alvernia University, she became a versatile utility player and helped her team win the MAAC championship, earning the "Defensive Player of the Year" title.
After college, Coach Torres began her coaching career at Snyder High School before transitioning to teaching and giving lessons at Frozen Ropes, a baseball and softball training facility. She later launched her own business, JackAttackCoaching, where she works with athletes through individual sessions, group clinics, and team training. She also coaches a 16u travel team and her son’s 10u baseball team. With a focus on fundamentals, Coach Torres tailors her coaching to each athlete, helping them grow in all areas of the game, from hitting to speed and agility. She is excited to bring her knowledge and passion for the sport to Kent Place.
Contact: torresj@kentplace.org
Marissa Broderick, Golf
Bio coming soon...
Contact: broderickm@kentplace.org
Dominique Watkins and Danielle Stanton, Spring Track
Danielle Stanton assumed the reins of the Kent Place Cross Country program in the Spring of 2020 as our Spring Track & Field Distance Coach. Coach Stanton is eager to share her enthusiasm and experience as a Division I runner for Rutgers University with her student athletes. Coach Stanton currently teaches Physical Education at Plainfield High School. She was the Head XC Coach at Montville from 2011–2017. Coach Stanton believes in the importance of working as a team to determine what is best for each runner. Since her arrival to KPS the team has won the NJ Prep State Championships, been awarded Union County cross country team of the year, broken school records, and posted numerous PRs, as well as advancing to the Meet of Champions as a team in 2021 and 2022. Coach Stanton has also been awarded Union County coach of the year in 2021.
Contact: stantond@kentplace.org
Coach Watkins came to KPS during the winter 2018 season and assumed the Head Coaching position for the Dragons’ Winter Track team. Following the winter 2018–19 season Coach Watkins took the helm of the Spring Track & Field program in 2019 and has not looked back. Coach Watkins is a graduate of Abraham Clark in Union County with great experience in Union County sports. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2018, where she was a Division I scholar athlete. Since arriving at Kent Place, our team has consistently set new school records, won conference and county championships including mentoring Meet of Champions winners in the 55m and 400m.
Contact: watkinsd@kentplace.org