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Built on a foundation of passion, expertise, and commitment
Welcome to FC Ignite, a new soccer club focused on developing players through a focus on technical skill and tactical awareness. Our philosophy is centered around building foundational skills, strategic understanding, and a deep love for the game. With a commitment to continuous growth and strong emphasis on teamwork, respect, and community involvement, we aim to create a supportive culture where every player feels valued. Our experienced coaching staff is committed to delivering high-quality training and mentorship, ensuring that players not only improve on the field, but also grow as individuals off the field. We are more than just a soccer club, we are a family. Join us and be a part of something special.
More Than Just a Club
PLAYER &
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
PLYOMETRIC & PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE TRAINING
ADVANCED GROUP & PRIVATE TRAINING
TECHNOLOGY AND ANALYSIS TOOLS
WELL STRUCTURED CLUB LEADERSHIP/ GOVERNANCE
TUITION ASSISTANCE
Experience the Ultimate Soccer Experience
We treat our teammates, coaches, opponents, and the game itself with the highest level of respect. We value diversity and believe that everyone has something valuable to contribute to the team and the sport.
Respect
We understand that growth takes time. We are patient with our development as players, and we encourage each other to keep improving, knowing that great achievements require persistence.
Patience
We bounce back from setbacks with strength and courage. In the face of difficulties, we stay mentally and emotionally strong, and we continue to move forward with purpose and confidence.
Resilience
We approach every challenge with determination. We give our best effort in every situation, never backing down from a challenge, and always striving to improve.
Tenacity
We love the game and bring energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to everything we do. Our passion fuels our drive to constantly improve and inspire others around us.
We are fully dedicated to our team, our training, and the game. Our commitment drives us to give our best effort every day, whether it's during practice, in games, or in our personal development.
Passion/
Commitment
We are truthful in our actions, communications, and self-assessments. We hold ourselves and others accountable and encourage an environment of open, honest feedback.
We take responsibility for our actions, both individually and as a team. We hold ourselves to high standards and take ownership of our progress, learning from our mistakes and celebrating our successes together.
Honesty/
Accountability
Our Core Values
WHY CHOOSE IGNITE?
QUESTIONS?
Meet Our
Ambassadors
Get to know the passionate individuals who representFC Ignite! Here, we spotlight our ambassadors—players, coaches, and influencers—who are making an impact both on and off the field. Learn about their journeys, values, and what drives them to inspire the next generation of soccer stars.
Professional Footballer
Cory Burke
Cory Burke is a dynamic and versatile footballer, widely recognized for his speed, physical presence, aerial prowess, and sharp finishing ability. Throughout his career, he has consistently proven himself as one of the top players in Major League Soccer (MLS) and remains an invaluable asset to both his club and his national team.
Burke’s professional journey began in his native Jamaica, where he played for several top-tier clubs, including Harbour View FC, Rivoli United, and Portmore United. His talent eventually led him to the United States, where he continued to impress. Known affectionately as "Scory" by fans, Burke has earned widespread admiration in Philadelphia and beyond, particularly for his time at Bethlehem Steel and Philadelphia Union. There, he quickly became a fan favorite, establishing himself as a constant threat in attack and contributing significantly to the team’s offensive play.
On the international stage, Burke has been an essential figure for the Reggae Boyz, consistently earning call-ups and scoring crucial goals in major competitions. His reputation as a hardworking, committed player is well-deserved, as he consistently rises to the occasion, especially when faced with adversity. Known for his resilience, determination, and ability to perform under pressure, Burke’s adaptability makes him an invaluable presence both on the field and in the locker room.
8th member of the Union to score 20 goals
3x Gold Cup participant 1x Runner up
1x Caribbean Cup Runner up
1x supporters’ Shield Winner
3x US Open Cup participant
1x CONCACAF Champions League (cup) participant
1x CONCACAF Nations League participant
1x Leagues Cup participant
2x MLS Cup Runner up
2x Eastern Conference Champion
Former American Football player/ NCAA DII Athletic Director
Michael Bazemore
A native of Philadelphia, PA, Michael Bazemore earned a master's degree in Sports, Recreation, and Fitness Management from Montana State University Billings in 2014. He completed his undergraduate studies at Michigan State University, where he earned two bachelor’s degrees and was a four-year letterman on the varsity football team. Bazemore was a defensive starter in the 2004 and 2005 seasons and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2002. In 2014, he was inducted into the West Catholic Prep Sports Hall of Fame.
After college, Bazemore pursued a career in professional football, playing in the Indoor Football League (IFL) from 2007-2011 for the Billings Outlaws and Sioux Falls Storm. He was named to the All-League team three times and won three league championships. Bazemore has also been a finalist for the IFL Hall of Fame.
In addition to his playing career, Bazemore has experience as a coach and administrator. He served as a Player Coach for the Billings Outlaws and as Director of Player Personnel and Defensive Line Coach for the Billings Wolves. He also held internships at the University of Sioux Falls and MSU Billings, assisting with athletics administration, compliance, and game day operations.
Bazemore has worked in NCAA Division II at Truman State University and Metropolitan State University of Denver, overseeing sports supervision and compliance. He now enters his fourth year as the Director of Athletics at MSU Billings for the 2024-25 academic year.
Award-winning Author, Producer and Educator
Dr. Sheena Howard
Sheena C. Howard, is an award-winning author, filmmaker, and scholar. In 2014, Sheena became the first Black woman to win an Eisner Award for her first book, Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation. Sheena writes books with celebrities, influencers, and CEOs, such as DMC (RUN-DMC), Omi Shelly Bell (Founder of BGV), and more. She is the author/editor of the award-winning book, Encyclopedia of Black Comics and the co-writer of the comic book Superb, about a teenage superhero with Down Syndrome. In 2016, Sheena directed, produced, and wrote the documentary Remixing Colorblind, which explores the ways the educational system shapes our perception of race and “others.” She has also written for Marvel and DC.
Sheena, born and raised in Southwest Philadelphia, is a West Catholic Sports Hall of Fame recipient. She now has one child and is a Professor at Rider University in the Department of Communication and Journalism. Outside of her full-time job, Sheena spends time writing and speaking to organizations and educational institutions on a variety of topics including social justice, diversity, and representation.
Sheena has twice received a Proclamation from the City of Philadelphia for her literary work, social justice and creative projects.
Founder/Innovator
David Taylor
David Taylor is the founder and financier of Visi, Inc., a purchasing and advertising software designed to enhance viewer engagement and brand success through linear and streaming content. David leads a diverse team and proudly upholds responsibility for the company's overall direction and product strategy.
Acknowledged by Intuit as a notable businessman in Detroit, Michigan, David has developed an expansive
13-patent portfolio backing the exclusive rights to Visi’s core functionality, including merchandise tagging, one-click purchasing, and live broadcast betting. His established success within the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database has proved to be exceptional as data shows just four percent of patents were granted in the state of Michigan in the year 2020 alone.
David's entrepreneurial spirit was sparked at just 21 years old when he founded his commercial landscaping business. His 20 plus years of business experience and devotion has made him an industry leader within the Motor City and a proud minority employer of hundreds of the city's working class. As a successful business and real estate investor, David is also a part owner and investor of a minority, woman-owned UPS Store in Ohio. His philanthropic efforts are equally cherished as an annual contributor to several community organizations.
David, a Cincinnati, Ohio native, is a college graduate with a background in finance. A standout high school athlete as a top Division 1 college basketball recruit, David is driven by a deep passion for leveraging technology to create groundbreaking innovations that transform and strengthen human connection.
Former Pro Footballer/Coach
Baris Johnson
Baris Johnson is a renowned figure in Jamaican football, with a rich history as both a player and a coach. His journey from the pitch to the sidelines has made him one of the most respected figures in the sport, and his extensive experience at both the national and club levels has helped shape the development of football in Jamaica.
Johnson’s football journey began with the Reggae Boyz, Jamaica's national football team. He was a key player in several youth squads, including the U18, U21, and U23 teams. His notable involvement with the senior men's national team also earned him a place in the 1998 FIFA World Cup “Road to France” squad, which marked a historic moment in Jamaican football as the country qualified for its first-ever World Cup. Johnson’s ability to perform on the international stage was further exemplified through his participation in training camps in Brazil during the 1995/96 period, where he honed his skills and learned from some of the world’s best. In addition, Johnson also had a successful college career in the U.S. playing for Lindsey Wilson College, where his performances garnered attention and helped him refine his craft at the collegiate level.
Transitioning from a successful playing career to coaching, Baris Johnson has made a significant impact in shaping the future of Jamaican football. He has held leadership roles as head coach in the Jamaica Premier League, where he led both Waterhouse FC and August Town FC. Under his leadership, both teams saw improvement in their playing style and performances, with Johnson instilling a disciplined and tactical approach to the game. His expertise in team management, player development, and match strategy has earned him respect within the Jamaican football community. In addition to his club management experience, Johnson has also played a vital role in grassroots football as the head coach of Excelsior High School’s football program. Baris now coaches at IMG Academy, the world-leading provider of academic, athletic and personal development programs.
Founder/Innovator
David Taylor
David Taylor is the founder and financier of Visi, Inc., a purchasing and advertising software designed to enhance viewer engagement and brand success through linear and streaming content. David leads a diverse team and proudly upholds responsibility for the company's overall direction and product strategy.
Acknowledged by Intuit as a notable businessman in Detroit, Michigan, David has developed an expansive
13-patent portfolio backing the exclusive rights to Visi’s core functionality, including merchandise tagging, one-click purchasing, and live broadcast betting. His established success within the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database has proved to be exceptional as data shows just four percent of patents were granted in the state of Michigan in the year 2020 alone.
David's entrepreneurial spirit was sparked at just 21 years old when he founded his commercial landscaping business. His 20 plus years of business experience and devotion has made him an industry leader within the Motor City and a proud minority employer of hundreds of the city's working class. As a successful business and real estate investor, David is also a part owner and investor of a minority, woman-owned UPS Store in Ohio. His philanthropic efforts are equally cherished as an annual contributor to several community organizations.
David, a Cincinnati, Ohio native, is a college graduate with a background in finance. A standout high school athlete as a top Division 1 college basketball recruit, David is driven by a deep passion for leveraging technology to create groundbreaking innovations that transform and strengthen human connection.
Former Pro Footballer/Coach
Baris Johnson
Baris Johnson is a renowned figure in Jamaican football, with a rich history as both a player and a coach. His journey from the pitch to the sidelines has made him one of the most respected figures in the sport, and his extensive experience at both the national and club levels has helped shape the development of football in Jamaica.
Johnson’s football journey began with the Reggae Boyz, Jamaica's national football team. He was a key player in several youth squads, including the U18, U21, and U23 teams. His notable involvement with the senior men's national team also earned him a place in the 1998 FIFA World Cup “Road to France” squad, which marked a historic moment in Jamaican football as the country qualified for its first-ever World Cup. Johnson’s ability to perform on the international stage was further exemplified through his participation in training camps in Brazil during the 1995/96 period, where he honed his skills and learned from some of the world’s best. In addition, Johnson also had a successful college career in the U.S. playing for Lindsey Wilson College, where his performances garnered attention and helped him refine his craft at the collegiate level.
Transitioning from a successful playing career to coaching, Baris Johnson has made a significant impact in shaping the future of Jamaican football. He has held leadership roles as head coach in the Jamaica Premier League, where he led both Waterhouse FC and August Town FC. Under his leadership, both teams saw improvement in their playing style and performances, with Johnson instilling a disciplined and tactical approach to the game. His expertise in team management, player development, and match strategy has earned him respect within the Jamaican football community. In addition to his club management experience, Johnson has also played a vital role in grassroots football as the head coach of Excelsior High School’s football program. Baris now coaches at IMG Academy, the world-leading provider of academic, athletic and personal development programs.