Mike Hickman - Owner/Assistant Coach    

Mike started playing soccer in southern California when he was seven. His passion for the game grew as he did. He continued playing in various youth leagues until he joined the Air Force in 1982. He began coaching his children in 1986. Since that time he has coached many different youth teams varying in age from U-5 to U-18.

     Mike is currently the Head Coach at Bonneville High School for both the Boys and Girls teams. He has been the coach for the past 3 years. Both teams have made it to the State playoffs in each of those years. Most recently the girls made it to the semi-finals. The first season with the boys they went through Region 4 play without losing or tying a game and they did not allow a single goal, finishing region play 10-0-0.

     Mike has had success at every coaching position he has held. In the summer of 2004 Mike took over the Utah Salt Ratz formerly of the NPSL. The team had a .500 record when he took over. The Ratz did not lose another game the rest of the season. They were crowned champions after they beat the Arizona team in the championship.

Rob Karas - Head Coach for the PDL Ogden Outlaws.  Karas currently is working with Real Salt Lake as Director of Youth Camps.

Prior to coming back to Utah, Coach Karas spent 3 years as Director of Coaching in Jackson, WY.  Coach Karas also spent four years as the Director of Coaching for Utah Soccer Alliance (USA), one year as Men’s Head Coach at Utah Valley State College, and six years with the Utah Olympic Development Program (ODP) as a state staff coach.

Coach Karas has earned several licenses and diplomas while building his soccer credentials, including the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) National “A” License, NSCAA International Premier Diploma, USSF National Goalkeeper License, USSF National Youth License, NSCAA Director of Coaching Diploma, and NSCAA State Goalkeeper Diploma. Coach Karas has over ten years professional playing experience including 3 years with the Utah Blitzz, and various indoor teams including, Arizona Sandsharks, Canton Invaders, Chicago Power, Baton Rouge Bombers, and the Utah Freezz.

An avid soccer enthusiast, Karas has spent the past three winters with coaches from AJAX, PSV Eindhoven, Harlaam, and Heracles in Holland; Chelsea FC in England; Barcelona FC in Spain; and Chievo Verona and Atalanta in Italy to hone his coaching techniques. Karas’s most recent trip included a two-week stint to Holland last winter to visit with the youth development directors at AJAX, a club that is widely regarded as one of the premier youth systems in all of European soccer.

Drew Wilhelmsen - Assistant Coach

     Drew has been playing soccer since an early age. He thoroughly enjoys the game having played 14 years in the "Keeper" position, 8 years of playing defencesive positions, 7 years of AYSO, 7 years of Competitive League, 3 years at Fremont High School, and 2 years at Weber State University. He continues to play in local recreation leagues.

     His coaching experience includes 3 youth teams, the U-14 Boys Predators, the U-15 Boys United Front, and the U-16 Boys Blue Smurfs. In 2003 he began working with the Bonneville High School Boys and Girls teams as an Assistant Coach, specializing in Keeper Training. He continues to work with Bonneville High School's teams, and is looking forward to the Boys 2006 Season.

     When Mike Hickman began coaching The Salt Ratz in 2004, Drew volunteered to help as an Assistant Coach. The Utah Salt Ratz won the 2004 Men's Premier Soccer League (MPSL) Championship.