Northbrook Park District names 2026 Coach of the Year

Having enjoyed being coached by his dad as a kid, Jeff Senkpiel has relished the chance to share the same experience with his children at the Northbrook Park District.

Senkpiel’s dedication as a volunteer coach has benefited his sons, Alister, 6, and Declan, 4, as well as their teammates, whom he has helped develop soccer and basketball skills and taught about the importance of fair play, all with a healthy dose of laughter.

Senkpiel was named the Northbrook Park District’s 2026 Coach of the Year in recognition of his talent and effective approach. The award winner is selected among coaches nominated by parents.

Northbrook Park District Athletics Coordinator Jonah Marks said Senkpiel was recognized for the incredible impact he has on athletes of all ages.

“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,” Marks said. “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.”

Parents also praised Senkpiel’s coaching style, as well as his approach to teaching children using humor.

“Jeff is an uplifting, fun, fair, compassionate coach who gets the kids excited about sports. I’ve watched him take kids who were afraid to leave the sidelines, to scoring goals,” one parent wrote in their nomination. “He brings smiles and laughter to every game and teaches sportsmanship.”

“He is really great at meeting the kids where they're at skill-wise, as well as communication and behavior-wise, and is able to make everyone feel comfortable,” another parent wrote.

A resident of Northbrook, Senkpiel has coached his sons’ teams for nearly four years, starting with soccer when Alister was 3.

“His first year, I watched Alister getting coached,” Senkpiel said. “The next year, we formed a new team because there were a lot of kids on our street that happened to be the same age. They needed a coach, so I volunteered.”

A year later, Senkpiel became the assistant coach for Alister’s basketball team, then took over as head coach and started coaching Declan’s soccer team.

Born in Northbrook, Senkpiel moved at age 13 with his family to the Los Angeles area, where he played basketball through high school.

He graduated from Indiana University, where he studied business, and now works as head of finance for a healthcare company.

Coaching has always been fun and rewarding, although directing 3-year-olds can be a little like herding cattle, Senkpiel joked.

“When they were really young it was like, ‘OK, let’s not stop and pick flowers!’ As they get older, they start learning more skills, and also how to be a good teammate and a good opponent.”

Before they take the field, Senkpiel said, he always reminds his players of three rules.

First, have fun. Second, be a good teammate and a good sport. “I tell them, if you knock someone down, say ‘sorry’ and help them up,” he said.

The third rule is “no smiling” — a facetious statement that always makes the kids smile, he said. “They love to show me they biggest smiles,” he said. “I always try to make it fun, because that’s what gets them to come back and keep playing.”

Senkpiel’s sense of humor is also evident in his weekly emails to parents, who said they look forward to reading his “hilarious” descriptions of game highlights.

Having the support of parents is great, as is the help of his wife, Mary, Senkpiel said.

“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.” Established in 1927, the mission of the Northbrook Park District is to enhance the community by providing outstanding services, parks and facilities through environmental, social and financial stewardship.