Who we Are…

We are a small organization developed to capitalize on years of high level soccer experience. We have had great success in Haiti in helping athletes become soccer players with a purpose. Our founder Will Butler had a vision to share his love of the game with others. It began in an orphanage in Port Au Prince with a neighborhood game and then moved to the mission outpost (Respire Haiti) on the top of a mountain in Gressier. Since 2012, we has been sharing time, talent and resources to change the world. One of our International success stories comes from Gressier where a young woman overcame the culture and stigma of women’s sports to make the Women’s Haitian National team. She has various Olympic and International caps and continues to be a force on the pitch.

What We Do…

Soccer Beyond Borders (SBB) started with an idea and has become so much more. We began oversees and are now offer similar opportunities to the youth around Chicagoland. Soccer Beyond Borders (SBB) stresses the development of entire individual through a unique relationship that focuses on developing good character, discipline and faith. Through the beautiful game, we develop the idea of teamwork, leadership and passion to be the best.

Benefits of a relationship with us…

• connnections to the elite clubs, coaches and leagues in Chicagoland

• ability to keep the long term perspective for our client’s goals

• knowledge of what situations are best for each individual to maximize success

• Personal mentoring from a former six time state champion, an academy player, Division One athlete, Semi Pro player, United States Futsal National Team Member and certified counselor

• honest evaluations from multiple sources and situations to offer personal development advice

• A unique “curriculum” of character for life “on and off” the pitch.

Our Success stories

The Impact for Jesus soccer outreach started with an idea and has become so much more.  The first trip took place with a team of twelve youth and adults traveling to Port Au Prince, Haiti to share their love of soccer.  The teams have been able to travel to locations all over Haiti to play soccer, feed hungry families and share the love of Christ with others.  We are always looking for the next opportunity to connect anyone to Christ through the beautiful game. If you have an idea or a longing, please contact us by messenger on our facebook page.

Devin Hernandez has recently joined the Soccer Beyond Borders team, Devin was a wing back during his player career for the Los Gallos de Queretaro academy system until the senior team was relegated and disbanded their academy’s funding. After playing in Mexico Devin had a very successful college career at Waubonsee Community College where he played Goalkeeper and as one of the captains he helped his team to their first birth at nationals. 

Devin and his family have been highly involved in the soccer community their whole lives. Devin has been coaching with his father Javier Hernandez, a great former Semi professional player for Potros Marte,  since he was 12 years old. 

Devin will be working with our team as an assistant to William Butler in all areas of the organization from fundraising to coaching. Devin will also be working as the team videographer and will be taking on a large roll with our social media presence moving forward. Devin and his father have deep roots in the soccer community and will be great assets as Soccer Beyond Borders expands its reach to more individuals in the United States. 

Devin stated that he was drawn to Soccer Beyond Borders because “Coaching is my true passion. That's why I have decided to team up with Soccer Beyond Borders. They are giving me that ability to pursue my passion and help others in need gain access to all the benefits soccer has to offer both on and off the pitch” 

In 2019, we began the process of expanding our unique high level support of the talented but less advantaged in Chicagoland. We only select and partner with the most committed. We offer a unique blend of personal mentoring, skill development, coaching and consulting to assist those with a passion for game achieve their highest potential. In addition, we connect contacts within the soccer community to ensure each individual success.

In case your wondering:

• We DO NOT CHARGE for our services. We are a non-profit organization funded by grants and donations.

• We ARE NOT AFFILIATED with any club, facility, school, FIFA agent or professional academy. We are connected to people of character in all areas of the beautiful game.

• We assist our clients by offering justice, mercy and glory to God through humbly lowering the economic, social and racial barriers to success.

Our Soccer Beyond Border Leadership Team

William Butler founded Soccer Beyond Borders in 2012 and the mission of SBB has been close to his heart ever since. William Butler has played at some of the highest levels in the sport. William won three (3) Illinois state championships with the Chicago Fire Academy before being recruited to Eastern Illinois University where he went on to be a four (4) year starter earning a number of accolades. After his collegiate soccer career, William went on to play semi-professionally for an number of different clubs in the Chicagoland area before transitioning to professional futsal with Lansing City. William was also selected for the US Men’s National Futsal team training pool in 2019-20. After he has been playing for number of high level clubs. He spends his time today helping individuals, specific teams and local clubs achieve success on the pitch.

 William believes that soccer has given him many of the experiences and opportunities that have shaped him into who is today in a very positive way. Often quoting famous soccer icon Ronaldinho “I learned all about life with a ball at my feet”.  William’s driving force behind starting this organization is to provide individual without access to top level soccer training the resource they need to succeed in a system that is made for them to fail. Overall, William wants to provide young players with the opportunities to gain confidence, accountability, and a winning mentally by leveling the playing field for those victimized by the “pay to play system” in the United States.  

 “Without soccer, I would probably be a friendless, penniless, fool living at home with my parents. Soccer has a unique way of teaching you ways to work through your problems, work in unison with others, and face your fears. Without the beautiful game in my life I really would have struggled to over come my speech impediment, crippling social anxiety, and learning disabilities with the level of success that I have today. Soccer changed me from a socially awkward freshman in high school with a 2.1 gpa into a fully functional college graduate with a 3.88 gpa. The impact of the beautiful game really is immeasurable.” - William Butler 

Micheal Kozielek- Professional Relations Director 

Micheal has played soccer at the highest levels. Micheal was a NCAA Division One (1)  soccer player at both DePaul University and Butler University. Micheals freshman year at DePaul he was named the freshman of the year before transfer to Butler university where he would eventually become the captain. After his collegiate career, Micheal played professionally in Sweden and Australia before landing at his current club in Finland were he is the captain. Micheal recently joined our team and is developing relationships with professional and collegiate coaches to further the Soccer Beyond Borders network and overall reach. When Micheal is home during the off season, he will also be actively involved in training sessions, video analysis, and top level scouting in order to provide a unique perspective of the professional soccer world for the aspiring soccer stars in our program. 

 Micheal believes that the current “pay to play system” in the United States forces a level of inequality into the beautiful game that makes it much more difficult for individuals of lower socioeconomic standing to gain access to top level training, clubs, and resources that are ultimately needed to help players reach the highest levels of competition. He is dedicated to the mission of Soccer Beyond Borders as we work tirelessly to grant individuals access to the opportunities needed to change their lives forever through the beautiful game. 

Join the mission by becoming a sponsor/partner….