Bryan Hamscher, President of the Western Lehigh United Soccer Club, had a vision for the Emmaus-based club that he thought would elevate it to the next level. In mid-April, he made a few moves to push the club in that direction.

Three members were named as part-time administrators to the club that continues to expand with players across the area and from as far away as Scranton. George Crampton has been named the club’s technical director, while Eric DiFulvio and David Weitzman are the club’s new directors of coaching.

“When I originally came up with that idea to bring on the technical director and two directors of coaching, my intentions were to help professionalize the club,” said Bryan. “I’m just trying to bring more organization into the group and professional training.”

DiFulvio, the new director of coaching for the boys teams, is also a coach for the U12 and U14 Western Lehigh United soccer teams. He was recently the head coach at Wilson High School, with his last season coming in 2015, and holds six different licenses at the NSCAA level.

Weitzman will handle the duties on the girls’ side. He holds a number of coaching licenses from the NSCAA, is currently the General Manager at Iron Lakes Sports Dome and has helped build up the National Premier Soccer League (currently known as the United Soccer League).

Both DiFulvio and Weitzman will work with Crampton in organizing a number of team-related drills for all 28 of the club’s teams, ranging from the U8 level up to the U19 stage for high school students. But their duties and responsibilities will go beyond the white lines on the field.

“He [Crampton] oversees the two directors of coaching,” Hamscher said. “Between the three of them, they work together and coordinate training for the teams, additional education for the parents, and assistance for the high school-aged players that are looking for colleges.”

Crampton’s resume is decorated. He’ll bring plenty of experience to the Western Lehigh United travel teams. He recently received the UEFA (Union of European Football Association) A license, the second-highest recognition an individual can obtain. He’s also a coach for NSCAA’s national staff. As a player, he helped guide DeSales University to arguably the school’s best four-year stretch ever.

The 28 teams travel to multiple states, including Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware, to compete against some of the top teams in the country. This past spring season, the club saw 550 players sign up for teams.

In addition to the club soccer scene, Hamscher and the Western Lehigh United staff are looking to take even another step in the upcoming months.

“In the works we are putting together a recreation program for players that aren’t travel players but still want to play soccer,” Hamscher said. “We hope to put together U8 through U19 recreation programs. They would play in the Lehigh Valley area.”