Evan Agona
Director of Baseball Showcases
eagona@premierscouting.com
Evan currently works as the Recruiting Coordinator and Pitching Coach for University of Mount Union baseball program in Alliance, Ohio. He is beginning his 7th year of coaching at the collegiate level and 2nd season on the staff at Mount Union. Previously Evan served as an Assistant Coach at Thiel College for 4 years and was also the Head Coach at Mercyhurst North East for 1 season. In addition to his collegiate coaching duties, Agona has also coached AAU baseball and has worked numerous baseball camps/showcases for players of all ages across the Midwest. Currently, Evan is also working on the development of a series of baseball showcase events with Premier Scouting.
Evan is a 2004 graduate of The College of Wooster with a degree in Business Economics, where is also earned 4 varsity letters in baseball. He also has a Master’s Degree in Sport Management from Slippery Rock University and is a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association. He and his wife Mary Kate reside in Canton, Ohio.
“I am truly excited about the opportunity to be a part of Premier Scouting, and to help student-athletes and parents to understand and benefit from the recruiting process. I feel that my background as a collegiate student-athlete myself, and now as a collegiate coach gives me a thorough understanding of the recruiting process. While I have worked primarily at the NCAA Division III level in the sport of baseball, I am comfortable working with student-athletes looking to play any sport at any level. I am truly a believer that there is a school out there for just about any hard working high school student-athlete looking to continue their career, and I will help you to reach your dreams and find a school that is the best fit for you.”
Bill Amero
Advisor / Scout / Consultant
bamero@premierscouting.com
Bill is a graduate of Youngstown State University, and a native of northeast Ohio. He has been active in fast pitch softball for over twenty years. Bill is currently the head softball coach at Howland High School where he is entering his sixteenth season as a head softball coach at the high school level. He was previously the head softball coach at Lowellville and Boardman High Schools as well. During his coaching tenure at Boardman, Bill developed the Lady Spartans into a powerhouse and one of the most respected softball programs in the state of Ohio, earning national recognition as well. He guided the Spartans to three consecutive trips to the state tournament, earning one state championship. The Lady Spartans finished the 2001 campaign ranked 21st in the nation by USA Today.
Bill has had twenty-five former players go on to play at the collegiate level, seven former players coach at the high school level and two former players have coached at the collegiate level. His coaching experiences have provided him with an opportunity to work with college bound student-athletes and establish relationships with numerous college softball coaches.
Bill has just completed his second term as President of the Ohio High School Fast Pitch Softball Coaches Association. He also heads up the Ohio Magic Softball organization, where he has coached a travel softball team for the past sixteen summers. Bill also gives hitting instruction at Sluggers Indoor Baseball & Softball Complex located in Poland, Ohio.
“I am excited to be a part of the Premier Scouting staff. I welcome the opportunity to work with potential collegiate student-athletes, and help them realize their full potential to be successful at the next level, both on the field and in the classroom. I feel my experiences will permit me to be an asset to help parents and student-athletes understand the college recruiting process. Premier Scouting Service is a tremendous opportunity for any high school aged student-athlete that is serious about playing their sport at the collegiate level.”
Hobbies: Spending time with my family and anything that has to do with fast pitch softball.
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Gene Grabiec
Director of Scouts / Consultant
ggrabiec@premierscouting.com
From birth I was taught to be competitive by my Mother who was an olympic runner. She ran with the world renown Stella Walsh, from Europe.
From 1971-1980 I was member of the PGA, attending both schools and passed the PAT. During that period, I had 3,500 indoor students amongst 10 locations with a PGA staff. It was the largest indoor golf school in the country.
Also during that time, I implemented a program that helped inner city children learn the game of golf. Always donating my time, I called it "Clubs for Kids". Golfers donated old clubs and bags to outfit the children. While involved with Clubs for Kids I published several articles about the golf swing.
During my career, I was was tutored by Charlie Sifford, PGA Tour Player. Charlie helped refine my ability to become a true shot maker. I was honored to be one of his invited guests when he was inducted in the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Along with Charlie Sifford, I traveled with Dan Carlisle, an Olympic Shotgun Shooter medal winner. Together, we organized and taught the art of golf and shooting to the largest drug companies at five star resorts in the mountains of Virginia and Colorado. We were also seen winning the Golf and Shoot Tournament at the Homestead on ESPN seven times. We competed against the finest shooters and golfers from around the world. Returning without Dan in 2007, I won the tournament with Homestead Head Pro Don Ryder.
Then in 1999, one of my golf students asked for my guidance in helping him find a college where he would be supported as an athlete. He mentioned PSS and I became interested in the program, as well as helping my apprentice. I attended a meeting for PSS and was impressed with their program as well as their 95%+ success rate. Soon after, they signed my student into their program and eventually I became the Director of Scouting. Today I live to help student athletes and their parents to make sound decisions in their future and make their athletic dreams come true.
Specialties
Still love teaching people that have a passon for learning the game, WHEN I have time.
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Ian Hamilton
Advisor / Scout
Ian played fourteen years of professional soccer in both the United States and the UK. Ian was a Columbus, Ohio area high school male soccer coach with a 328-53-36 record. While coaching at Thomas Worthington H.S. his teams have won two State Championships (91 & 98), was in the USA Today's National Top 25 three times (5th/91, 6th/98 & 10th/99), and has been DI National Coaches Association Midwest Coach of the Year (91), just to name a few of Ian's coaches accomplishments. Ian has placed over one hundred players into colleges prior to coming with Premier Scouting Service and says, “This is a wonderful opportunity to give back to the sport. Premier Scouting Service does a wonderful job and I’m glad to be a part of it.”
His hobbies include traveling and playing golf.
Lane Knore
Advisor / Consultant / Scout
lknore@premierscouting.com
Lane’s experience in football ranges from state champion player to state champion coach. Between playing and coaching, he has five state titles to his name, not to mention the 19 seasons of playoff experience. Lane received 7 Varsity letters in three sports at Versailles High School. Following that, he was a preferred walk-on player at Miami University, and also began coaching at his high school alma mater while still a student at Miami. During part of his time as an assistant coach at Versailles, the team held a state record of 54 consecutive wins. “I take great pride in helping others achieve goals they thought were out of reach.”
He is now entering his 17th year of coaching. He has an enthusiasm for working with the players and respects the role sports play in the development of a student/athlete. In his mind, sports and character cannot be separated. Lane has coached both as an assistant and as a head coach, and currently serves as the Defensive Coordinator at Northwest High School in Canal Fulton, Ohio. As the 2005 head coach in Columbia Station, Ohio, Lane was awarded the title of “Coach of the Year” by the fellow coaches in his conference.
Lane is a graduate of Miami University where he earned an honors degree in accounting. His 17+ years experience as a Certified Public Accountant enhances his understanding of how athletics can help students financially in their college careers. In addition, Lane served on the board of the Western Ohio Education Foundation, which assists in the oversight of the Lake Campus of Wright State University. He is also a member of the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association and treasurer of the Athletic Charitable Committee, a multi-sport booster club for Northwest Local Schools. His professional, educational, and athletic backgrounds are perfectly suited to his work with Premier Scouting.
Craig Meinzer
Advisor / Scout
Craig is a member of the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association and is currently an assistant varsity baseball coach at Toledo Central Catholic and the head baseball coach for Toledo Legion Post 335 summer team. He is the former Head Varsity Baseball coach at Toledo Bowsher H.S. He has worked numerous baseball camps working with players from various ages and grades. Craig has helped run tryouts for the United States Baseball Stars, an international baseball association, and has served as a talent evaluator for youth baseball clubs in the Toledo area. These experiences have given him the opportunity to evaluate and closely work with college bound student-athletes. He also has coached junior high football for six years and has attended numerous football clinics. Craig is currently a basketball and football official for varsity high school games, both in Ohio and Michigan. Craig has been a licensed official for over 10 years. He lives in Toledo and covers all sports. Craig’s wife is Cindy and they have two sons, Corey who played four years of high school baseball, and Colin who is currently playing at the College of Wooster.
Craig likes to work with athletes of all ages, in any sport. He enjoys interacting with athletes and their parents.
“Being truthful with athletes about their talent, gives them the ability to reach their full potential and character.”
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August Montz
Advisor / Scout
amontz@premierscouting.com
August is a member of the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association and is currently an assistant varsity football coach at Norton High School in Norton, OH. Holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with a major in Sports Studies/Coaching from the University of Akron and was a multiple dean’s list honoree. A multi-sport athlete at Theodore Roosevelt High School in Kent, OH; he lettered in football, baseball, and track and earned a football scholarship to Tiffin University, Tiffin, OH. August has been a football coach for eight years at the middle school and high school varsity levels.
“I’ve had a passion for sports my whole life, and decided to study sports in college. I completed collegiate studies ranging from sport psychology, athletic administration and strength and conditioning. Drawing from my education, as well as my playing career and my coaching experiences, I want to guide student-athletes and help them to understand their collegiate opportunities. Premier Scouting allows me to use my passion for talent evaluation and apply it first hand with guiding the recruiting process for student athletes.”
Brad Myers
Advisor / Scout
Brad is a native of Northwest Ohio, where he played football, baseball, and tennis before attending The Ohio State University. In his time at Ohio State, Brad was a member of the OSU Rugby Football Club that won two Midwest Rugby Football Union (MWRFU) titles and births in the national sweet sixteen tournaments.
Brad is currently a MLB professional minor league umpire. In the off-season, Brad substitute teaches at area high schools in Northwest Ohio. He also works with student athletes on strength and conditioning to help them reach their goals.
“I have been an athlete and been around athletes from the lowest levels all the way up to the pros. I have seen great successes and missed opportunities. I am looking forward to working with Premier Scouting Service in helping student athletes realize their potential and achieve their dreams at the next level.”
Scott Shinneman
Advisor / Consultant / Scout
scotts@premierscouting.com
Scott is a former entrepreneur who has owned and operated five successful companies. He has worked with companies from the United States to Japan and the Caribbean. His objective was to always listen to the client and understand the true needs before making recommendations on a solution. He grew up playing travel baseball and learned how to be a leader working with great coaches and recruiters.
He has a love for sports and appreciates the strong work ethic, self-discipline and perseverance it takes to excel on the field and in the classroom. Scott lives in Florida with his wife, Jennifer and their two sons Jonathan, who currently plays travel hockey, and Jack who plays both hockey and tennis.
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Nancy Tawney
Advisor / Scout
From an early age Nancy always excelled in sports. Before any formal sports program for girls, she was a contender in all intramural events. When she attended Rio Grande College (now known as University of Rio Grande), close to her hometown of Gallipolis, OH, she was the only female ever to play on the men’s golf team, a distinction she can still claim.
Nancy became a golf professional in 1972 and in 1974 traveled to Australia and was instrumental in helping with the development of the Australian Ladies Professional Golf Association. While living in Australia, Nancy was one of the first women to conduct exhibition matches and clinics around the countryside. She was one of the first women to teach golf onboard the Princess Cruise Lines and one of the first women to compete with the men’s tour in New Guinea.
When she returned to the States, Nancy played in two U.S. Open Championships and on the mini tour, known as the Women’s Professional Golf Tour. She later became a tournament director for the WPGT organizing tournaments in the mid-west.
Foot surgery led to Nancy’s retirement from competitive golf and her passion of photography led her to opening her own custom picture framing business with a Fine Arts Gallery. During this time, health challenges spurred her interest in natural health and alternative medicine. Nancy became a Certified Natural Health Professional which led to a doctor of Naturopathy from the Trinity College of Natural Health. “I have had several health challenges that have been turned around through natural alternative approaches. It literally changed my life.”
Throughout her small business experience, Nancy still gave lessons and clinics and played in various tournaments. She joined the LPGA Teaching Division in 2004 and has continued her ongoing education attending the LPGA’s National Education Program and seminars. Nancy believes the LPGA has provided teaching professionals with the “perfect tools for helping others enjoy this wonderful sport of golf with a more intelligent capacity.”
She now lives part-time in Sunset Beach, NC at Sea Trail Golf Resort where she teaches. The rest of her time is in Gallipolis, OH where she has her roots and a continued desire to bring the game of golf to beginners and any needed instruction for life-long players of the game.
“Having a fervor for teaching others to learn the wonderful sport of golf, I’m excited about my new venture with Premier Scouting. Teaching teenage athletes how to maximize their skills and realize their own dreams will be rewarding. With ten years of professional tournament experience, twenty plus years of business background, and a current membership in the LPGA teaching division, I’m confident this can be accomplished through the assistance of Premier Scouting.”
“I only wish this kind of opportunity were available when I was pursuing my college choice.” Nancy Tawney
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Robert Trautman
Advisor / Scout
rtrautman@premierscouting.com
Robert Trautman is a Scout for the Northeast Ohio area and the Video Consultant for Premier Scouting Service, LLC. Rob is President of RRT Productions, LLC where he specializes in producing recruiting videos for student athletes aspiring to play at the next level.
Rob is a graduate of Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Telecommunications and a minor in Visual Communication Technology. He was also a member of BGRSO (Bowling Green Radio Sports Organization). Rob covered and broadcasted all different sports at BGSU, allowing him the opportunity to interact with collegiate coaches. He has also announced on-air play-by-play and color analysis at various high school sports competitions including volleyball, football, basketball, and tennis. Rob also played baseball, basketball, and football at Brunswick High School, Brunswick, Ohio.
“I am very excited about my company’s partnership with Premier Scouting Service. The company missions go hand in hand; we can help teach student athletes and parents about the recruiting process and maximize their options. I believe that with my experience as a student athlete and my exposure to coaches at all levels, I can help educate and help dreams come true for many student athletes. With a little hard work, we can find the perfect fit for student athletes that want to play at the next level.”
Devin Young
Advisor / Scout
Devin is currently a senior in Sports Management at The Ohio State University. He played varsity tennis at Torrington H.S. in Torrington, CT where he was a runner-up for the All-Conference team in 2009 and a top-32 finisher in the Connecticut State Tournament before being knocked out by the number-2 seed in 2009. He was also a varsity cheerleader at THS during his senior year, and earned All-Conference honors after being on the team for just 3 months. He was offered a spot on the Ohio State and Maryland cheer teams, and chose to attend Ohio State. Aside from high school and college sports, Devin has been a competitive jump roper for 14 years. He was a member of the USA Jump Rope Team for 2 world championships, once in 2008 (South Africa) and another in 2010 (London), and won 2 medals in 2008 (1 silver and 1 bronze). He has competed nationally for 10 years and won 3 medals, including a gold medal in 2008. He also competed regionally for 7 years in New England and won 27 medals, including 18 gold. He currently works for the Ohio State Intramural Sports department and does volunteer youth market work with the American Heart Association recruiting schools for their “Jump Rope for Heart” program. |
