PRESS RELEASE — Savage, MN — [8/14/2025]
MASH Academy, Minnesota’s premier athletic and academic development center, is proud to announce the official launch of MASH Soccer—a year-round, academy-style soccer training program designed to help players improve their skills and reach their full potential.

In tandem with the launch, MASH Academy has appointed nationally respected coach Colette Montgomery as its inaugural Director of Soccer. With more than 20 years of coaching, educational, and leadership experience across all levels of the game, Montgomery will lead MASH Soccer with a focus on excellence, inclusivity, and long-term growth.

“We’ve built MASH to support athletes who want to pursue excellence in everything they do,” said Tom Buske, Founder of MASH Academy. “Soccer is one of the fastest-growing sports in the state, and we saw a need for focused, development-driven training that supports the great work already happening in Minnesota clubs. Colette Montgomery is the perfect person to lead this charge. She brings unmatched knowledge, national credibility, and a deep commitment to developing both players and coaches.”

MASH Soccer will offer structured, club-neutral training through its Academy model, serving players from all clubs who want to sharpen their skills, deepen their understanding of the game, and take their performance to the next level. The program will run in alignment with the school year, allowing athletes to train consistently and progressively without interfering with their club commitments.

Montgomery brings a broad range of experience to her new role, having coached at the youth (boys' and girls'), collegiate (men’s and women’s), and pre-professional levels. She holds several of the highest credentials in American soccer, including the U.S. Soccer B License, United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma, and U.S. Youth Soccer National Youth License. As a U.S. Soccer Coach Educator, she trains over 200 coaches annually and is known for her athlete-centered, development-first approach.

Since 2018, Montgomery has also served as an At-Large Director on the U.S. Club Soccer Board of Directors, and currently holds a leadership role as Secretary on the Executive Committee, where she helps shape national policy on youth development and coaching education.

“This program is about supporting clubs across the state by developing players who are committed to improving their game,” said Montgomery. “MASH Soccer will be a place where motivated players can supplement their club experience with focused training in a professional, positive, and player-first environment.”

With the launch of MASH Soccer and the leadership of Colette Montgomery, MASH Academy continues to set a new standard for youth development—creating space for athletes to grow in sport, in school, and in life.

Soccer development has a new home in Minnesota—and it starts at MASH Academy.