Staff 

Samuel Spraker’s soccer journey began at age four with the Broadalbin Youth Commission (BYC). At six years old, he joined Blackwatch Premier Soccer, where he quickly realized the higher levels of competition the sport had to offer. From ages six through twelve, Samuel and his family made the hour-long trip to Albany three to four nights a week for training, along with weekend travel for matches.

During his youth career, Samuel later transitioned from Blackwatch to GPS, where he played for two years before the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, he joined Firestorm, a girls-only club that was looking to expand into the Broadalbin area by creating a men’s side. Throughout the pandemic, Samuel and many of his Broadalbin teammates competed with Firestorm, finally experiencing the opportunity to play for a local club with a field just fifteen minutes from home. When COVID ended, shifting ideas between clubs, coaches, and families ultimately led to the group going their separate ways.

Samuel then joined FC Dutchmen, returning to the familiar routine of traveling more than 45 minutes for both practices and games. This time, however, he was driving himself and began to recognize the significant time and financial commitment his family had made to support his soccer journey.

At Broadalbin-Perth High School, Samuel was a three-year varsity starter and developed into a leader on the field. Last summer, he also competed with Collar City, continuing to play at a high level while expanding his experience in the regional soccer community.

Samuel is currently completing a four-year degree in Business Administration with minors in Sports Management and Entrepreneurship, while also serving as a three-year starter and team captain for his college men’s soccer program.

Alongside his playing career, Samuel is currently interning with Beestera Soccer Training, where he is gaining experience in coaching, event operations, and the business side of sports. His lifelong experience traveling for the game and his passion for growing soccer in underserved communities ultimately inspired him to found the Sacandaga Lakers, with the goal of creating local opportunities for players and helping put the Sacandaga region on the map.

Having been involved in soccer since the age of 9, Jake developed a deep passion for the game through years of club and competitive play. He began with Niskayuna Soccer Club before moving on to FC Dutchmen and was a two-year Varsity player at Niskayuna High School. He continued his career at the collegiate level with Paul Smith’s College and SUNY Cobleskill, while also competing with FC Dutchmen in NISA Nation and UPSL, and with Collar City FC in the Capital District Soccer League (CDSL).

Through these experiences, he recognized that access to competitive soccer opportunities can vary greatly from one region to another. Motivated by this realization, he is passionate about expanding and growing the game in areas where opportunities are limited, particularly in the Sacandaga region. Currently set to graduate from SUNY Cobleskill in Spring 2026 with a degree in Business Administration, he also works as a marketing intern within the college’s marketing department. With lifelong involvement in the sport and experience both on and off the field, he is committed to helping build and manage a club while creating new opportunities for players in the community.

Stephen Spraker is a co-founder of the Sacandaga Lakers and has been deeply involved in the local soccer community as both a player and coach. A Broadalbin native, Stephen played four years of varsity soccer at Broadalbin-Perth High School and was a three-year starter and senior captain. During his high school career, he earned multiple First Team Foothills Council selections, was named Foothills Council MVP, received Times Union Player of the Year honors, and was selected Second Team All-State.

At the club level, Stephen spent six years playing for Blackwatch Premier, competing at a high level and further developing his game against top regional competition.

Stephen continued his soccer career at Russell Sage College, where he played for the Sage Men’s Soccer program while earning a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education with a minor in Nutrition, before completing a Master’s degree in Health Education.

Today, Stephen is a teacher at Broadalbin-Perth and remains actively involved in athletics and youth development. He helps coach soccer within the Broadalbin-Perth program at the modified, JV, and varsity levels, and also works with young players through BYC youth soccer, helping introduce and develop the game for the next generation.

As a co-founder of the Sacandaga Lakers, Stephen is passionate about creating opportunities for players in the Sacandaga region and helping grow the game locally. His experience as a player, educator, and coach helps shape the club’s mission of building a competitive team while strengthening the local soccer community.

Dean has been playing soccer for as long as he could run and talk. He began his soccer journey with the Broadalbin Youth Commission (BYC) from ages 5–8 and later played in the Fonda Youth Soccer League (FYSL) at ages 10 and 11. From an early age, Dean’s game stood out because of his agility and acceleration. His quick movements and pace made him most effective in positions that allowed him to attack space and create opportunities.

Throughout middle school and high school, Dean primarily played as an outside midfielder before later transitioning into a striker role. His speed and work rate made him a constant threat going forward.

Dean played his high school soccer at Broadalbin-Perth. While growing up, he was never able to commit to a club team in Albany due to the distance and financial barriers that many players in the area face. That experience is one of the reasons he helped found this club, to create opportunities for local players and help grow the game in an underserved region.

In addition to soccer, Dean developed a strong passion for track and field. His speed translated well to the track, where he competed at a high level and qualified for the state championships in multiple events during high school.

After graduating, Dean attended Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC), where he spent two years completing the Electrical Line-worker Program. He graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA, demonstrating the same dedication and discipline off the field that he brings to the game.