Today we’d like to introduce you to Brad Namdar
Brad, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey in life, athletics, professional sports, civic service, and my overall “journey” has been a culmination of my unique life experiences, and moments that led me to where I am today.
Today, I am happily married, have an awesome dog named Scooter, I am a coach, a CEO/GM of a professional indoor soccer team, a professional field goal kicker, professional Foot Golfer, and a consultant.
My journey started in Collin County, in Plano Texas, where I grew up playing club soccer in North Texas, as well as, was a member of the ODP program and was a member of the U.S. Men’s National Team Youth player pool..
The knowledge I gained from being competitive soccer player from 2nd grade, through high school, college, and then playing professionally in the PDL for the DFW Tornados, it allowed me to know what it’s like to be a player. I learned what it was like to work hard as a soccer player, to maintain our fitness, compete as a team, and values, such as, hard work, dedication, and the spirit to compete.
While I was playing club soccer in High School, I also played high school football. I was ranked as one of the top Place Kickers/Punters in the country while playing football for Plano West Senior High School. After Plano West, I attended and played college football at Texas Tech University, where I played under the late-great legendary Head Coach – Mike Leach, and later, transferred to SMU where I played for another NCAA legend, June Jones.
I was fortunate enough to be apart of two top 25 programs, and the winner of two NCAA Division.1 Bowl Games.
As a NCAA Division 1 athlete, you learn the importance of time management, healthy competition, discipline, and dedication at levels you never thought were possible.
When combining these experiences as a soccer player and football player, I not only learned what it took to be an athlete at the highest levels of athletics, but I also had a natural talent for coaching.
During my undergraduate, and later graduate studies at SMU, I became the first “Estagio” (coaching apprentice) in the history of the MLS and for FC Dallas, at the same time, I was also coaching soccer at St. Marks School of Texas, and was a private field goal/punting coach. Here I fell in love with the passion of coaching.
I ended up graduating from SMU with a B.A. in Journalism, a minor in Philosophy, and then enrolled in SMU’s Masters Program where I earned my M.A. in Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management, Mediation Certification, and Executive Coaching Certification from SMU..
While I was earning my M.A., I was also the SMU Men’s Soccer – Director of Operations.
In this role, I was responsible for many tasks required in the front office, back office, and focused on program operations for one of the top NCAA Division 1 Men’s Soccer programs in the country. I learned so much regarding how to operate a soccer program (not just the X’s and the O’s), but more importantly, what is required to operate a successful program, grow our revenue opportunities through camps, and grow our programs name I.D.
After earning my M.A., and completing my two years as the SMU Men’s Soccer – Director of Operations, I became a H.S. Finance and Accounting Teacher at a TITLE 1 DISD school, as well as, the Boys Varsity Soccer Head Coach. Due to the success I had as a teacher and coach in H.S.,, I was offered to be one of the youngest College Soccer Head Coaches in the Country, at the age of 26., the following year- coaching both men’s and women’s college soccer.
My experiences at SMU, FC Dallas, St. Marks, DISD, and other experiences as a player allowed me to have the experience (ready to go) to operate, create, and implement the necessary program to create a successful college program at Mountain View College.
After playing and coaching non-stop for 26 years, I took a break from athletics, and started my own small business where we were able to grow and be successful in the home decor sector.
My company first started as a candle company, and then grew into an art, and home decor company.
In under 3 years we started from my kitchen, and made it into retail stores like Neiman Marcus, Home Goods, Horchow, and in over 111 retailers in 11 countries.
During this time I learned a tremendous amount about the world of “business” (as I was running my own business), I had to deal with items like international trade and commerce, supply chain management, logistics, price points from wholesale to retail, and how to create a product to infiltrate the market place and be competitive.
Though, funny enough, soccer would come in my life again, but my experiences in the home decor industry proved to be vital in my next step into the soccer world.
After 6 years away from the soccer field, a unique opportunity was given to me by a well known gentleman in the soccer arena named Michael Hitchcock, where he asked me to be the GM of one of his NPSL teams.
When I combined all my life experiences I had as a player, a coach, an administrator, and a business owner, it gave me the tools to become a successful GM.
When you are a GM you have to manage to a certain extent the product on the field, as well as, the business side of sports/ running a club.By utilizing my network, tapping into the knowledge I gained in the years prior, and marketing experiences I learned running my own businesses, our NPSL team quickly became successful both on and off the field, setting records in sponsors, fan attendance, home opener attendance, and merchandise sales.
The following year, due to the success I had in the NPSL, and my life experiences, I then became the GM of a professional indoor soccer team in Dallas, called the Texas Outlaws (which competes in the Major Arena Soccer League) MASL.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing is ever a smooth road. I experienced adversity just like everyone does. There were times as a player where I was concerned if I was good enough? There were times as a coach where I thought was being a young coach holding me back from the bigger jobs? There were many times as a small business owner where I was worried about how to scale our growth.
However, these experiences were not struggles, they were opportunities to become better, and to grow both as a person but as a professional.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Currently, I am blessed to have the opportunity to wear a few hats, and pursue various passions/opportunities that have come my way.
I am the CEO/GM for a professional men’s indoor soccer team in the MASL (Major Arena Soccer League), I am a professional football field goal kicker, and I recently started playing Foot Golf, and will be competing in my first professional tournament in 2025.
I am known in the various communities that I work in, serve in, and live in, as a person who works hard, connects people, and always operates with everything that I got to make sure the job is done well, our customers are excited, and that I pass on my life experiences/knowledge to my staff, interns, and anyone who is trying to get their foot in the door of professional athletics.
How do you think about luck?
Great question. I believe that you can create your own “luck” or opportunities, but its up to you to be successful. Luck can put you in the right place in the right time, but you have to be able to seize that opportunity.
Sure there are times when life is hard, business is hard, and days can seem to be too much, but you have to keep going, and not let anything deter you from giving it everything you got.
I do have to say I am very lucky to have awesome sponsors, supporters, and entities that have supported me in many endeavors; from sponsoring our soccer program, to supporting me and my endeavors as a kicker, and in Foot Golf.
Brands like SLMV, Activate Canopy, The Football Stick,Mr. Don Nabb, Mehrdad Moayedi, and many more brands/people have humbled me by having their support, and make me a lucky person to have their support.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.texasfootballkicking.com
- Instagram: @bradnamdartx
- Facebook: @bradnamdar
- Twitter: @bradnamdar
- Youtube: @bradnamdarkicking
- Other: https://www.texasoutlaws.com
