Stanford Strikers FC is proud to announce the hiring of Benkay Kajihara to the position of Boys Technical Director. Coach Kajihara will work primarily with the 2013 birthdate and older boys teams and their coaches and collaborate with Director of Soccer Vava Marques and the club’s leadership team. He will be tasked with raising the standards for players and coaches alike and will also be coaching one or more of the club’s top teams.

Vava is enthusiastic in his praise for Benkay. “ I am thrilled to have Benkay working as our new Boys Technical Director for Stanford Strikers. He is a great addition to our technical staff. I believe that he has the ability to inspire players and coaches. His long term plan as a director makes him the ideal person for this role. I can’t wait to get to work with him.”

Coach Kajihara has successfully coached at the youth, high school, college, ODP and semi-professional levels including as the Head Coach of Lick-Wilmerding H.S. and assisting at Riordan H.S. and Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory. He is also an assistant coach at Art University. Most recently, Benkay has been a lead coach for the SF Glens, one of the top clubs in the Bay Area. He has been the Head Coach for MLS Next and PDL teams as well as been the Glens Director of Operations. Benkay holds a USSF B License and is both a Northern California and West Region Olympic Development Coach.

Benkay will begin his work with Stanford Strikers mid July. He explained his excitement for the opportunity ahead,  “Stanford Strikers FC is a highly ambitious, community youth soccer club that will be able to offer comprehensive and robust programs to support development from the top competitive teams to grassroots soccer.  I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with a club that champions great morals, ethics, and ambitions.Having spent the last 12 years at the San Francisco Glens, I’ve had the opportunity to watch a club grow from its infancy to what is today a community-based club that offers every level of play from MLS Next to Grassroots.  The opportunity to use my past experiences while continuing to grow as a person, coach and into my new role as the Stanford Strikers Technical Director is one I relish!  I want to thank the leadership team for accepting me into the Stanford Strikers family. I am really looking forward to working with the soccer community.”

Stanford Strikers Executive Director Bret Simon notes, “Benkay is the perfect coach at the perfect time. Stanford Strikers FC is growing in both size and quality. The expectations in our community are growing. Benkay’s knowledge, experience and ability to relate to players and coaches will help us take the next step forward.”