Half Time Advice
"Behind every kick of the ball, there has to be a thought."
- Dennis Bergkamp

No soccer team can be successful on the pitch without a fantastic backroom staff. Our motivated, energetic, diverse Board of Directors helps guide the Free Kick program to success.

Samhir Vasdev, Founder and Executive Director

Originally from Corvallis, Oregon, Samhir is a student at Georgetown University studying Political Science and African Studies. As founder and executive director of Free Kick, Inc, he oversees all operations to ensure that the program successfully fulfills its mission in serving the Washington, DC, community. He is active in various campus organizations and can be found on the soccer field on most afternoons. E-mail Samhir

Jonathan Smith, Business Director

Born and raised in nearby Maryland, Jonathan has spent much of his life working in the DC area. He is an accounting student at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business and works in the accounting department of the school newspaper The Hoya. Jonathan played varsity soccer for his high school and serves as Free Kick's business director, as well as general soccer training staff. E-mail Jonathan

Michael Whittaker, Communications Director

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Michael comes from a family devoted to community building and outreach. He has worked with the Chicago Area Project, a nonprofit organization devoted to assisting the lives of low-income citizens of Chicago (sounds familiar? Barack Obama got started off at the CAP). Currently, Michael attends Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and serves as Free Kick's communications director, responsible primarily for marketing and publicity. E-mail Michael

Dr. Patricia Soler, Hispanic Relations Director

Professor of Spanish, Georgetown University. Full profile coming soon...

Father Charles Gonzalez, SJ, Outreach Director

Professor of Theology, Georgetown University. Full profile coming soon...