Leadership

Brett P. Pierce is the Founder of the On Deck Foundation. He is a former baseball professional with over 25 years of experience with youth and high level athletes. He is currently a MLB & NFL Draft Family Advisor and Pro Performance Specialist.

In 2001, after seeing his first foster care facility, he left professional baseball and got to work. Unaware of this population growing up in Southern CA, it was now also time to raise awareness. 

Mr. Pierce felt that if he could help find each child's dream with them, he could implement the formula he used to become a pro, work harder than the next one! He also realized that his kids needed proper equipment, tools and resources which they currently did not have access to. 

"How do you expect A+ grades, with D- materials?"

What came next was the creation of the On Deck Foundation. 

Mr. Pierce currently resides in the Houston area of Texas with his wife, Shawntees, 18 yr old daughter Cory Ann, 10 yr old son Levi. 

BB Hudson is a former NFL player with the San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota VIKINGS. He began as a Jr. All American and continued his love for football with Pomona High, Mt. SAC and CSU Fullerton before entering the NFL. BB Hudson’s SPORT SPECIFIC TRAINING includes the body’s mechanics interaction with NUTRITION. This allows his clients to gain the agility, explosiveness, power and consistency needed to perform at your best.

BB HUDSON’s unique abilities has garnered him an extremely diversified career training professionals in unrelated sports, beginning his professional CHAMPIONSHIP boxer trainer career with Shane Mosley to Winky Wright and include greats such as LAILA ALI and now, Tyson Fury along with MMA fighter Gina Carano. His clients even include a New Zealand semi-pro RUGBY player and Florida State's QB, D.J. Uiagalelei. 

Mr. Hudson has been involved with On Deck from its founding days providing invaluable role-modeling, programming, resources and awareness which he continues today.

Brian Hunter is a former professional baseball player. He played all or part of nine seasons in Major League Baseball between 1991 and 2000 for the Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies. While he was primarily a first baseman, he also appeared in nearly 100 games as an outfielder. Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 8th round of the 1987 amateur draft, Hunter appeared in three World Series in 1991, 1992 and 1999 as a member of the Braves. Hunter hit a home run in Game 5 of the 1991 series in a 14–5 Braves victory over the Minnesota Twins. He hit a two-run home run in the first inning of the deciding game 7 of the 1991 National League Championship Series at Three Rivers Stadium vs the Pittsburgh Pirates; the Braves won the game 4–0, advancing to the 1991 World Series to face the Minnesota Twins.

From the immediate moment Mr. Hunter was made aware of On Deck and its mission years ago, he hasn't left. His life experiences, role-modeling capabilities, contacts and willingness at all times to help sets the standard for what On Deck Leadership is all about!

Hunter is the brother of basketball player Loree Moore and father to his two incredible sons.

NCPA Executive Director Ramogi Huma became an advocate for college athletes' rights while playing football for UCLA when he founded a student group to give college athletes the means to voice their concerns and secure basic protections in NCAA sports. He started the organization after witnessing the NCAA suspend his All American teammate over groceries that were left anonymously on his doorstep when he had no food, and after being informed that the NCAA prevented colleges from paying for medical expenses for injuries that occurred during summer workouts.

The student group evolved into The National College Players Association (NCPA), a 501c3 nonprofit advocacy group.  Huma secured the strong backing of the United Steelworkers and, since its creation, the NCPA has empowered thousands of college athletes from over 150 campuses to participate in actions in pursuit of improving the lives of college athletes.

Huma has held hundreds of meetings with lawmakers and testified in support of college athletes' rights in the United States Senate and House of Representatives, state legislatures, and city councils.  Huma has served as a primary voice and has assisted in developing laws in support of college athlete name, image, and likeness legislation in over a dozen states including California, Florida, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, and Texas as well as the United States Congress.  He has also provided expertise and witnesses to the US Department of Justice regarding NCAA antitrust violations on multiple occasions, and served as a consultant in athletes' rights antitrust lawsuits including White v. NCAA, Agnew v. NCAA, O'Bannon v. NCAA, and Alston/Jenkins v. NCAA.

Huma has assisted numerous athletes in dealing with deceptive, unfair, and abusive practices on their campus.  Issues have ranged from physical and sexual abuse, medical malpractice, unpaid medical expenses, loss of athletic scholarship, and more.

Huma has advocated for college athletes’ rights in countless media outlets including ESPN, Fox Sports, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, CBS, ABC, NBC, 60 Minutes, Sports Illustrated, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and NPR.

Huma has co-authored several studies with Drexel University Sport Management professor Ellen Staurowsky including “How the NCAA's Empire Robs Predominantly Black Athletes of Generational Wealth". The study estimates that the fair market value of FBS football and men's basketball players is approximately $208k and $370k, respectively; and that the NCAA will deny these athletes approximately $10 billion of their fair market value over the course of four years.

Huma earned a bachelor degree in sociology and a master of public health (MPH) degree at UCLA.  Huma also earned UCLA’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award, and his team won back-to-back conference championships in 1997 and 1998.

Huma was featured in TIME magazine's 12 New Faces of Black Leadership in 2015, was ranked 13th of College Football's 25 Most Intriguing People in Suits in 2014 by Yahoo! Sports, and named one of sports' 50 most influential people in 2006/2007 by Armchair GM.

ESPN listed Huma among "The 11 biggest power brokers and advocates shaping the future of college football" in 2022.

Mr. Huma played an intricate part in the formation of the On Deck Foundation as he provided founder, Brett Pierce, with invaluable guidance throughout the years. 

Dr. Gallo’s journey is a testament to determination and resilience. Dropping out of high school at 17, he pursued his passion for baseball, and at 19, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers. After his pro-baseball career, he didn’t stop there. Driven by a desire to understand the movement science behind athletic performance and help others achieve their best, Dr. Gallo earned his doctorate in Physical Therapy. With a unique blend of professional athletic experience and advanced medical training, Dr. Gallo brings a holistic approach to athletic development. His insights into movement, injury prevention, and performance optimization are grounded in both personal experience and scientific expertise, making him a leading figure in sports training and rehabilitation.

Dr. Gallo is a renowned expert in the field of baseball and softball training, dedicated to empowering players, coaches, and parents to take charge of their training. With a strong mission in mind, he seeks to revolutionize the training industry by challenging the status quo and offering innovative solutions for on-field performance and overall well being.

Driven by a commitment to accessibility, effectiveness, and affordability, Dr. Gallo and his team strive to provide comprehensive programs, educational resources, and a user-friendly Baseball Flows app that revolutionizes how coaches, parents, and individual players approach player development. The goal is to simplify training sessions, making them accessible to individuals and teams of all ages and levels of expertise.

Through the custom Baseball Flows app, Dr. Gallo’s easy-to-follow program eliminates the complexities often associated with training systems. With a click-and-train approach, participants can expect noticeable results in weeks, not months. Curated by Dr. Gallo himself, the Baseball Flows app includes therapeutic exercises and instructional videos, carefully selected to address the specific needs of players. Dr. Gallo’s revolutionary approach is characterized by simple language and easy-to-understand concepts, avoiding medical jargon and focusing on straightforward solutions.

With a strong emphasis on evidence-based practices, improving on-field performance, and a commitment to simplicity, Dr. Gallo’s mission is to empower individuals to take control of their training and fully embrace the joy of every moment spent in training and on the field. By building a community that advocates for better and healthier players, Dr. Gallo and his team are committed to making a difference one player at a time.

 Want to learn more, listen Dr. Gallo’s Podcast with American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) {Click here} 

Rob Jarvis joined the Arkansas men’s program in the summer of 2024 from the University of Miami where he has coached with the Hurricanes from the 2017 season. Jarvis recently earned the 2024 USTFCCCA South Region Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year.

2 NCAA Champions

3 NCAA Runner-Ups

33 NCAA All-Americans

13 Conference Champions

70 All-Conference Honors

3 ACC Team Titles

While with Miami, the Hurricanes claimed women’s conference championship team titles at the 2018 ACC Outdoor, 2019 ACC Indoor, and 2022 ACC Outdoor. Jarvis coached a pair of NCAA national champions in the pentathlon (Michelle Atherley, 2019) and triple jump (Russell Robinson, 2024) while accumulating 22 All-Americans and 12 ACC individual event champions.

The 2024 season had the Miami men’s team producing its highest finish ever at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, placing 10th with 22 points. Of those points, 14 were supplied from the jumps and combined events coached by Jarvis.

In the ACC conference meet, Miami men generated its highest finish in school history in finishing 5th with 34 of the 83 points produced by the jumps group which included an ACC champion and four podium finishes.

During the indoor ACC meet, 34 of 51 team points among a 6th place team finish came from the jumps group with a pair of conference champions and four podium finishes.

Jarvis’ background the decathlon includes assisting the Azusa Pacific coaching staff and being the training partner of Bryan Clay, an Olympic and World Champion, over a seven-year span.

From 2005 to 2010 Jarvis was an assistant coach at Azusa Pacific, overseeing sprints, hurdles, relay and combined events for the men and women. During that time Azusa Pacific won eight NAIA team titles with Jarvis contributing to the development of 11 individual national champions, 59 All-Americans, and six All-American relay teams.

Jarvis coached at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, from 2013 to 2015, assisting with coaching a pro group and eventually the development of the IMG Academy high school team.

From 2015-17, Jarvis served as the Director of Operations at UCLA, then added a volunteer assistant coach role with the Bruins in 2016 and 2017.

Jarvis was a wide receiver with the San Diego State football team from 1997 to 1999. Then he joined the Azusa Pacific track and field team from 2003 to 2005, serving as team captain each of those seasons.

A member of two NAIA National Championship team titles in 2004 and 2005, Jarvis ran on the national championship 4 x 400m relay in 2003. He earned four All-American honors as well as six All-GSAC honors as the team totaled three conference team titles.

SOPHOMORE SEASON (2025)

Appeared in 49 games making 23 starts in her second season… led the team with a .398 batting average and was one of the most consistent hitters on the team… was 11-for-22 (.500) as a pinch hitter and had seven multi-hit games… went 3-for-4 with four RBI against Penn State (2/7) to help the Red Raiders complete a come-from-behind victory… went 4-for-4 with five RBI against UMass (2/14)… went 2-for-3 with 2 RBI against Oklahoma State (3/7)… also went 2-for-4 in both games against Texas A&M (3/1-2)… made a last-minute start in the Big 12 Championship against Arizona State (5/9) and went 3-for-3 with three runs and two RBI.

All-Big 12 Freshman Team

FRESHMAN SEASON (2024)

Played in 38 games, starting 36 of them… finished the season slashing .327/.469/.367 with 37 hits, eight doubles, two home runs and 21 RBIs… also totaled 53 bases and seven stolen bases… went 4-for-4 against ACU with a triple, three RBIs and four runs scored (4/3)… finished the year with the longest hitting streak on the team at 10 and also had 10 multi-hit games… named to Big 12 All-Freshman Team.

ATASCOCITA HIGH SCHOOL

An infielder by way of Atascocita, Texas… Led the Atascocita Eagles to a District Championship in the 2021 season and three-straight Area finalist finishes… Named First-Team All-District in 2021 and Second-Team All-District in 2022… Won the 2022 NFA National Championship… Ranked in 2023 Extra Innings Elite Class… Had a career slash total of .470/.512/.672.

PERSONAL

Born on July 15... Interests include thrifting, dogs and coaching... Participated in American Sign Language and Speech & Debate Club in high school... Career goal is to become an audiologist who specializes with children... Parents are Mendy and Juan Martinez... Sister to Phoenix.

 Mt. SAC Head Baseball Coach John Knott enters his ninth season in 2024 with an impressive overall coaching record of 188-123 (.605 winning percentage). Knott will aim to build on his team's successes and continue their strong momentum.

Under his leadership, the Mounties have achieved remarkable milestones, including back-to-back South Coast Conference (SCC) Championships in 2018 and 2019, as well as another title in 2022. Knott guided the team to the California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A) State Championship Tournament in 2018 and the 3C2A SoCal Sectionals in 2019. The Mounties were poised for another promising season in 2020, but their campaign was cut short with a 13-8 record due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following the pandemic, Knott returned stronger than ever, earning SCC Coach of the Year honors in 2022 after leading the Mounties to an incredible 33-10 record. That season, the team was ranked No. 1 in the state for both runs scored and on-base percentage.

Knott has also been instrumental in advancing over 50 players to four-year programs and has earned the title of SCC North Division Baseball Coach of the Year three times (2018, 2019, 2022). He has coached several standout athletes, including Michael Sandoval (2019 SCC MVP), Zach Bromstead (2018 ABCA Rawlings All-American), Elijah Greene (2018 SCC MVP and ABCA Rawlings All-American), and Jacob Kampen (2018 SCC Most Valuable Pitcher).

2025

2025 3C2A State Champions

2024

*Advanced to the Super Regionals

2023

19-2110-14------

2022

33-1019-5SCC Champions

- SCC Coach of the Year                  -SCC Pitcher of the Year 

*No. 1 in the state for runs scored (409) and on-base percentage (.446). 

2021

0-0*0-0*N/A*N/A**Season cancelled due to COVID-19 Pandemic

2020

13-8*4-6*N/A*N/A**Season ended on 03/09/20
due to COVID-19 Pandemic

2019

26-2014-8SCC North Division-SCC North Coach of the Year
-SCC North MVP Advanced to the
CCCAA So Cal Sectionals

2018

35-1417-5SCC North Division-SCC North Coach of the Year
-SCC North MVP
-SCC North Most Valuable Pitcher
-ABCA Rawlings All-Americans Advanced to the
CCCAA State Championship Tournament

Knott joined the Mt. SAC family in September 2016 as a full-time professor of kinesiology and head baseball coach. Before taking the helm at Mt. SAC, Knott established himself as one of the most successful high school baseball coaches in the region. From 2005 to 2016, he built a powerhouse program at Bonita High School, where he led the Bearcats to the CIF Championship in 2012 with a 30-win season and an undefeated league record (12-0).

During his tenure at Bonita, Knott achieved 15 consecutive winning seasons, guided his teams to nine CIF Playoff appearances, and compiled an impressive overall record of 246-75-2 (.762 winning percentage) and a league record of 103-33 (.752 winning percentage) as of May 2016.

Knott’s exceptional leadership earned him numerous accolades, including being named the 2013 California Baseball Coach of the Year, 2012 CIF Coach of the Year, 2012 San Gabriel Valley Coach of the Year, and Daily Bulletin Coach of the Year in both 2010 and 2012. Prior to his time at Bonita, Knott coached at San Dimas High School and Azusa Pacific University.

A proud alumnus of Azusa Pacific University, Knott holds a master’s degree in physical education and a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Knott and his wife, Samya, live in La Verne with their two children, son Dylan (10) and daughter Vivianna (8). In his free time, he enjoys spending quality time with his family and watching baseball games.

Athlete

Professional Boxer

8 X WORLD BOXING CHAMPION

Founder: CHAMPS BOXING STUDIO @champsboxingyeg

Jelena Mrdjenovich (born 24 June 1982) is a Canadian professional boxer.

She has held multiple world championships in three weight classes, including the WBC female super featherweight title from 2005 to 2009; the WIBF lightweight title from 2006 to 2008; the WIBA featherweight title from 2011 to 2012; the WBC female featherweight title three times between 2012 and February 2021; and the WBA female featherweight title from 2016 to April 2021.

In March 2017, a documentary was released about her career.

Her last fight was against Calista Silgado In June 2023.

Retired teacher Kevin Pierce continues his football coaching with over 35 years of experience at the secondary level. Within his years of coaching, during 2000 to 2010 he was part a staff that engineered four Southern California Sectional Championships and reached the CIF play-offs eight out ten years during that decade.  After a stellar career and earning his Masters Degree in Athletic Administration in California, he continues coaching and providing a positive image for our young people spiritually, academically and athletically.

As an original drop-kicker, place-kicker, punter and linebacker at Cypress & Cal Poly Pomona, Mr. Pierce spends his days mentoring young kickers the art of it. 

The On Deck Foundation doesn't exist without Mr. Pierce. On Deck's Founder & President, Brett Pierce, started ODF to best duplicate his own opportunities provided by his father to children whom didn't have one.

Affectionately known as “Coach Rod”, Evans Roderick served 21 years as an academic counselor for student-athletes.  During this time he created a model academic support program for California Community College student-athletes and was instrumental in coining the term “grayshirt” to help student-athletes with their academic progress towards transferring to an NCAA Program.

Along with Academic Counseling, he has also served Mt. SAC as an assistant football coach, head track and field coach, assistant track and field coach, and Assistant Director of the Mt. SAC Relays. 

Mr. Roderick is a member of the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Hall of Fame. Mr. Roderick was one of the first supporters of On Deck's Mission.

SugarHill Steward, whose birth name is Javan "Sugar" Hill, is a highly regarded American professional boxing trainer. He is most notably known as the trainer for world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. He was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1975. He is the nephew of the late, legendary boxing trainer Emanuel Steward, who ran the famous Kronk Gym in Detroit. In 2019, SugarHill changed his name to honor his uncle, whom he considered a father figure.

SugarHill worked at his uncle's Kronk Gym and met Tyson Fury there in 2010. Before becoming a full-time boxing trainer, he spent 12 years as a police officer in Detroit.

Training Tyson Fury: SugarHill took over as Fury's head trainer in December 2019, replacing Ben Davison. Their partnership has been highly successful, leading Fury to significant victories, including two wins over Deontay Wilder and winning the WBC and The Ring titles. As stated by talkSPORT, Fury chose Steward to help him get a knockout against Wilder in their rematch, a strategy that paid off.

Kronk Style: SugarHill is known for incorporating the "Kronk style" of boxing into his training, which emphasizes aggression, combinations of hooks and uppercuts, and fighting at close range. This style, inherited from his uncle, focuses on powerful, knockout-oriented offense and putting pressure on opponents.

Relationship with Tyson Fury: Their bond goes beyond the fighter-trainer relationship, with Steward describing it as being like brothers. They share a deep respect and understanding, feeding off each other's strengths and supporting each other through challenges. 

In short, SugarHill Steward is a highly respected boxing trainer who has carried on the legacy of his uncle, Emanuel Steward, and has achieved considerable success, particularly as the trainer of Tyson Fury.

instagram:

m_thechosen1

2024-25 at San Francisco

• All-WCC First Team

• Four-time WCC Player of the Week

• Started in 34 games for San Francisco, averaging a WCC-high 19.9 points per game, the 22nd highest scoring average across Division I, and the 16th highest single season scoring average for a Don

• Scored 676 total points, the fourth-highest single season point total in USF history

• Made a single season program record 189 free throws, also the ninth-most in the nation in the 2024-25 campaign

• Opened the season with a career-high five steals to go along with 23 points in a win against Cal Poly (11/5/24)

• Cashed in a career-high 12 made field goals at Washington State (1/4/25), scoring 34 points on 12-of-21 shooting in USF’s first conference game in Pullman, Wash.

• Logged his first career double-double in an NIT first round game against Utah Valley (3/19/25), scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 rebounds

• Ended the season with a career-high 36 points in a NIT second round contest against Loyola Chicago (3/23/25), shooting a perfect 17 of 17 from the foul line, tied for the most free throws made without a miss in program history (Bob Gaillard, 12/23/61)

2023-24 at San Francisco

• WCC Honorable Mention

• WCC Player of the Week (12/23/23)

• Appeared in 33 games for the Dons, making 21 starts, averaging 12.4 points on 47.4 percent from the field, 40.0 percent from beyond the arc and 86.1 percent from the line in 23.2 minutes per game

• Made his USF debut on 11/6/23 against Bethesda, scoring 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field

• Boosted production across a four-game stretch from (12/6/23) to (12/16/23), averaging 11.0 points per contest on 48.2 percent shooting from the field

• Made his first start for San Francisco on 12/20/23 vs. Northern Arizona, scoring a then-career-high 19 points on 5-of-7 shooting from three; followed up with a new then-career-high 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting on 12/22/23 against Fresno State

• Recorded double-digit scoring in 13 straight games from 12/13/23 to 2/1/24, highlighted by another career-high performance on 1/13/24 against Portland, with 26 points on 10 of 15 shooting

• Led USF in scoring in the WCC Tournament, totaling 34 points on 40% shooting from deep across the Dons’ two conference tournament games

• Scored 31 points on 11 of 19 shooting from the field and 5-of-7 shooting from three in NIT first round match-up at Cincinnati, tied for the highest single-game scoring performance in the 2024 NIT

2022-23 at USC

• Appeared in 24 games with an average of 2.4 points and 1.1 rebounds per game

• Averaged 8.4 minutes per game and shot 70.6 percent from the free throw line

• Scored a season-high 10 points against Alabama State on Nov. 11

• Played a season-high 17 minutes against Washington on Feb. 4

2021-22 at USC

• Played in nine games with an average of 2.0 minutes of action in each

• Made his collegiate debut on Nov. 9 vs. CSUN

• Scored his first points as a Trojans with a jumper at FGCU on Nov. 16

High School

• Graduated from Damien HS in La Verne, Calif. in 2021 as the school’s all-time leader scorer, scoring more than 2,000 points

• As a senior, he averaged 22.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.9 steals per game

• Named to the All-CIF Southern Section Open Division team

• Named Baseline League MVP, was a four-time All-League selection and was the California Junior of the Year in 2020 and the Freshman of the Year in 2018

• Maintained a 3.1 GPA in the classroom

Personal

• Born in Fontana, Calif

• Son of Stanley and Niema Thomas

• A devoted member of his church community, Thomas has served meals to the homeless and has volunteered locally on behalf of youth basketball programs as well as his school’s recycling club

• Interests include worshipping God, playing video games and watching movies

• Favorite food is anything his mother cooks

• Would like to travel to the Bahamas