Our council is committed to teaching fundamentals and team work while promoting the love of the game. This mission will be accomplished through the use of experience qualified coaching, player development and positive encouragement.
Mr. Al E. Johnson is a steering committee member with The MAC and has been a volunteer coach in basketball, baseball, and soccer for more than 15 years, he has more than 25 years of experience in sales and marketing. He is also CEO and President of A 5 J Industries, a public relations consulting firm. Mr. Johnson holds a bachelor of marketing degree from Northeastern Illinois University. Al and his wife, Patricia, have been married for more than 20 years; they have five children: Ashley, Austin, Avery, Alexis, and Amber.
Mr. Greg B. Bynum was a Four year letterman at Proviso East High School (Football, Track and Basketball) and has been a Basketball coach for over 4 years. Greg is the owner of G&B Family Construction and holds a degree in Business Administration. Mr. Bynum and his wife, Rosella, have been married for 11 years and have six children: Amos, Abraha, Amelia, Andriella, Courtney and Andrew.
Mr. Ben Ford is the Illinois Raptors Commissioner of Baseball and 14U Head Coach. He has coached both tournament & in-house teams for both Romeoville and Plainfield Athletic Club. Ben was a standout athlete at Roger C. Sullivan High School in both Baseball & Football; named Captain for both freshman/sophomore teams in both sports. Ben is Accounts Manager/ Applications Analyst at East Bank Club where he has been employed for 16 years. He and his wife, Kim, have three children: Bennie Jr., Blair and Blake.
Mr. Carl Wurtz has been coaching Youth Basketball for 18 years. He has coached both Boys and Girls from K-12. His experience has covered Travel , Rec and AAU Teams from Ohio, Pennsylvania and here in Illinois. He has worked with AAU Clubs and has participated in National Tournaments and Qualifiers. He has extensive AAU Travel experience with all 3 of his children. Carl is a Manufacturing Manager at GSI Technologies in Burr Ridge. Carl and his wife Connie have 3 children Joshua, Matthew and Samantha.
Mr. Bernard Winston a Brooklyn, NY native was a 4 year letterman for basketball and Track at Romeoville High School now is a current resident in Bolingbrook, IL. He earned his Associate’s degree in Business Administration from Joliet Junior College. Bachelor’s degree in Communications/Business Administration from. Seton Hall University. Bernard is the CEO and Special Events Coordinator for Twin Enterprise.
Mr. Jeff Blanzy has spent the majority of his life in the basketball arena. Growing up in Michigan, Blanzy was an Honorable Mention High School All-American. He went on to play college basketball at Eastern Michigan University and Niagara University where he earned a degree in communications. He has 10-years of coaching experience at the HS level and in youth basketball. Jeff is currently in his second season with the Raptors program. He and his wife, Shelley, have 3 children. Tara, Paige, and Blake. For the last 11-years, Jeff was a sports anchor at WLS TV (ABC) in Chicago. Currently he is a part of the travel industry with World Ventures.
Mrs. Turkessa Williams has been a volunteer basketball coach for 4 years, she is recent graduated with an Associate degree in Business Administration and Medical Billing Coding. She own's "The Cake Lady" a bakery that produces Southern style Cakes. Turkessa and her husband Shawn have 3 children Darren, Derron and Monique.
Mr. Armond Frazier grew up playing basketball on the west side of Chicago, he played high school basketball at Willowbrook High School where he reached varsity as a sophmore. Mr. Frazier served in the U.S. Air Force and played on the base basketball team in Montgomery, AL. After his release from the military he taught Physical Education.
Mr. Tommie Smith was a multi sport athlete at both Schurz High School on Chicago’s north side, and Kankakee high school in Kankakee IL. where he played Basketball, Football, as well as ran track, which was where he excelled as a top runner competing in the 100/200/400 meter dash and the 4x1 relay. He earned himself a full sports scholarship to attend Florida A&M University in Tallahassee Florida. Tommie now enjoys public service and family life. Currently works at Hometown Furniture in Plainfield, IL. where he lives together with his Fiancé Angela Solis and their two boys (Jordan and Shawn) Tommie is a small Business owner and currently runs a Telecommunication Solutions Business.
Mr. Reginald L. Wright is a steering committee member with The MAC and has coached youth athletics including basketball & soccer for 8 years. Reggie and his wife, Lisa, have three children: Nichole, Wilyam and Wynston. Mr. Wright has +20 years in information technology working in various industries and holds a bachelors degree from Chicago State University in Business Administration concentrating in Management Information Systems.
Mr. David L. Dortch Jr. was a former all around athlete at Steinmetz high school where he played Basketball, Track and ran Cross Country, he then attended Taylor Business Institute where he majored in electrical engineering and finished with a certificate in computer repair. Mr. Dortch and his wife, Diana, have five children: Freedie, Dariayle, Dominique, Diamond, Destiny.
Mrs. Janice Haywood oringinally from the state of Iowa, competed in volleyball, basketball and track. She was a 1st Team All State in basketball and 3rd in volleyball and was recognized as 1st Team All State in track/field 4 years in a row. Janice set several high school records including the long jump, 200 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters and multiple relays and was the first female inducted into her High School Hall of Fame. She was Drake Relays Champion in the 800M run and was runner up 4 years in a row to a future Olympic Champion in the 400M. A majority of these records still stand today. She continued her track career at Kansas University where she competed in the 400m, 600m,800m and multiple relays. She had a career ending injury after 3 years of competing, but not before setting the 600m indoor record at KU and winning the Big 8 (now Big 12) Championship meet in that same event her Sophmore year. Personally, Janice lives in Bolingbrook with her loving husband of 7 years, and 2 children - Grayson and Landyn.
Mr. Briant O. Mills is President and Chief Executive Officer of Mills Athletic Council. Mr. Mills has been a coach for youth athletics’ for over 15 years he is a motivated professional with comprehensive knowledge in Sales, Insurance, Management, and Real Estate Operations he has a well-rounded background with extensive experience in marketing, staff training, and account development. Briant has five children: Briant II, Brandon, Bradlee, Braxton and Jasmine.
