Northbrook Dad Named Park District's 2026 Coach Of The Year

NORTHBROOK, IL — What began as an opportunity to coach his son's neighborhood soccer team has grown into nearly four years of helping young Northbrook athletes build skills, confidence and a love of sports.

Jeff Senkpiel was recently named the Northbrook Park District’s 2026 Coach of the Year, an honor recognizing his work with youth soccer and basketball teams.

The award recipient is selected from coaches nominated by parents.

"His wide range of coaching experience, combined with his ability to inspire, motivate and connect with every athlete he works with, makes him truly deserving of this honor," Northbrook Park District Athletics Coordinator Jonah Marks said in a statement.

"Jeff's dedication to helping young children grow both on and off the field sets him apart and makes him an outstanding role model, coach and leader."

‘Have Fun’ Comes First

Senkpiel has coached teams featuring his sons, Alister, 6, and Declan, 4, while also helping their teammates develop athletic skills and learn about teamwork and fair play.

Before players take the field, he reminds them of three rules.

The first is to have fun. The second is to be a good teammate and opponent.

"I tell them, if you knock someone down, say 'sorry' and help them up," Senkpiel said.

His third rule is "no smiling," a joke intended to produce the exact opposite reaction.

"They love to show me their biggest smiles," he said. "I always try to make it fun, because that's what gets them to come back and keep playing."

Parents who nominated Senkpiel said his humor and encouraging approach help children at varying skill and comfort levels.

"Jeff is an uplifting, fun, fair, compassionate coach who gets the kids excited about sports," one parent wrote. "I've watched him take kids who were afraid to leave the sidelines, to scoring goals."

The parent added that Senkpiel brings laughter to games while emphasizing sportsmanship.

Another parent said he is skilled at meeting children where they are, both athletically and behaviorally, while making everyone feel comfortable.

Coaching His Sons

Senkpiel first became involved after watching Alister play soccer at age 3.

The following year, several children of the same age who lived nearby formed a new team and needed a coach.

"They needed a coach, so I volunteered," Senkpiel said.

A year later, he became an assistant coach for Alister's basketball team before taking over as head coach. He later began coaching Declan's soccer team.

Senkpiel said coaching very young children presents its own challenges.

"When they were really young it was like, 'OK, let's not stop and pick flowers,'" he said. "As they get older, they start learning more skills, and also how to be a good teammate and a good opponent."

Northbrook Roots

Senkpiel was born in Northbrook before moving with his family to the Los Angeles area at age 13. He played basketball through high school and later attended Indiana University, where he studied business.

He now lives in Northbrook and works as the head of finance for a healthcare company.

Senkpiel also credited his wife, Mary, with helping coordinate schedules, team registration and gatherings.

"She does all the hard work of scheduling and signing up teams, and she coordinates all the get-togethers," he said. "She plays a big role."

His sense of humor extends beyond practices and games. Parents said they also look forward to his weekly emails recounting team highlights.

For Senkpiel, the experience has allowed him to recreate a meaningful part of his own childhood.

Having enjoyed being coached by his father, he said he has relished the opportunity to share the same experience with his sons.