PERFORMANCE COACHES
Jason De Maria, CSCS, PES
(Program Director/Sports Performance Coach)
Jason brings in over 5 years of experience in sports specific training and has worked with athletes ranging from youth to the professional level. Jason has a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Western Michigan University where he played two season of volleyball. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and a Performance Enhancement Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. He is also the Head Strength Coach for Wheaton Warrenville South High School’s Hockey Team and the Head Freshman Lacrosse Coach at Wheaton Warrenville South High School.
Jason lettered in ice hockey, volleyball, and lacrosse in high school. He loves working with athletes and is dedicated to helping them reach their maximum potential.
Hometown: Wheaton, Illinois.
Sarah Awe, MS (Sport Performance Coach)
Sarah has 5 years of experience in the fitness field working with athletes ranging from youth to professional level. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the Florida Institute of Technology where she played 4 years of NCAA Division II basketball and one year of tennis. She went on to earn a M.S. in Kinesiology from Southern Arkansas University where she was the Graduate Assistant for the women’s basketball team and played one year of NCAA Division II tennis.
Sarah lettered in basketball, tennis, and cross country in high school. She is passionate about helping athletes have a positive and exciting athletic career.
Hometown: Melbourne Beach, Florida.
EJ Zbikowski (Sports Performance Coach)
EJ has 3 years of sports specific training experience and multiple years of coaching baseball at the high school level. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville where he played 4 years of NCAA Division II baseball.
EJ lettered in football and baseball in high school. He enjoys seeing young athletes achieve their athletic goals through hard work and dedication outside of normal practice times.
Hometown: Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Todd Burkoth (Sports Performance Coach)
Todd brings 2 years of sports specific training experience to our facility. Todd graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical/Health Education from Winona State where he played 4 years of NCAA Division II football. He has had athletic experience at many different levels of football including riding the bench, all the way to a stint in the NFL.
Todd brings these experiences together to help our athletes achieve their goals. Todd lettered in football in high school. He likes to see athletes being challenged and develop a good work ethic.
Hometown: Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Mike Sahli (Sports Performance Coach Intern)
Mike is a 2011 graduate from Fremd High School in Palatine, Illinois. Next year he will be attending Carroll University where he will work towards his Bachelor degree in exercise science and his Doctorate in physical therapy. While working towards his academic goals, Mike will be playing NCAA Division III football.
Mike lettered in football in high school. He hopes to be able to help young athletes make it to the collegiate level.
Hometown: Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
Kurt Donner (Sports Performance Coach Intern)
Kurt is a 2011 graduate from Prospect High School. He has been training at Tommy Z's since 2009 and is currently the longest participant in the program. Next fall, Kurt will begin to pursue a Bachelor Degree in Engineering at Black Hawk College where he will also be playing NJCAA Division II baseball.
Kurt lettered in baseball in high school. He is passionate about helping young athletes gain the needed edge to have a successful athletic career at whatever level they compete at.
Hometown: Mount Prospect, Illinois.
