German American Kickers
Bios and Contacts
Officers, Executive Board Members and Coaches
Paul Bette
Sports Chairman and President
Paul is the President and Sports Chairman and President of the German American Kickers (GAK). During his tenure, Paul accomplished various facility upgrades, including building a new 7v7 field in 2001, a new 9v9 field in 2020 and installed fixed lighting on the 11v11 field. Paul established official partnerships with MLS club Philadelphia Union and German Sports Management Organization Schaechter Sports to provide international soccer camps at the GAK and travel opportunities for GAK players in Germany. He also procured a uniform contract with MACRON USA for exclusive kit branding for the GAK club.
As a coach, Paul earned a USSF “F” License and has coached various youth and adult teams since 1979. As a GAK U-18 coach, his team won the MAPS tri-state championship in 2010 and travelled to Germany and Holland. Paul later sent over 15 players on to college careers from that one team. Paul earned his United States Soccer Federation Referee license in 1989.
As a youth, Paul played for Freehold Soccer Club. In Freehold Township High School, he was Captain, was named to the All-Shore Team in 1979, and became Shore Conference Champions in 1979. He went on to captain his college team at NJIT, was named an All NJ State College First Team All Star and became Finalists in the ECAC tournament in 1983. After college Paul went on to play soccer in semi-professional, amatuer and mens leagues throughout New Jersey. Paul has two sons and currently lives in New Egypt with his wife.
Contact Paul – 609-284-5059, E-mail: fcgak1992@gmail.com
Dave Papp
Vice President
Dave Papp is the Vice President for the GAK, Trustee for the German American Society Board and Coach of the 2010 Boys. Dave has been involved in soccer for many years. He holds his “F” license. He has played from youth into adult years and is always looking to improve his coaching abilities through reading and courses/clinics. He is an active club member with a great devotion to the club. Dave currently lives in Hamilton with his son and wife.
Contact Dave – (609) 847 – 9648, E-mail: icemanops@aol.com
Jason Wittkamp
Financial Secretary & Treasurer
Jason serves as the GAK Financial Secretary & Treasurer.
Contact Jason – jason.wittkamp@gmail.com
Jerry Siracusa
GAK Team Registrar
Jerry currently serves as the GAK Team Registrar. He has a USSF “F” coaching license and was a head and assistant coach for multiple years at both RSA and the GAK.
Contact Jerry – 609-577-0514, E-mail: jersir@live.com
Thomas C. Caruso
GAK Secretary
Tom Caruso is the GAK secretary. He was a German American Society Club member since 2006 and a GAK Executive Board member since 2016. He played for Freehold Soccer until U-19, and later played for Men’s Teams in and around Freehold. He has 12 years of Coaching experience and is a former GAK youth team assistant and head coach. He was an Assistant Coach for the GAK u23 men’s team and he also Coached Middle School and High School. Currently the assistant varsity/ head freshman coach at Jackson Memorial High School. Tom has three sons and lives with his wife Eve in Manahawkin, New Jersey.
Tel. Cell: 732-616-8358; E-mail: commishcaruso@gmail.com
Zeke Castro
Technology Director/Assistant Coach
Zeke serves as the GAK Technology Director overseeing the technology needs of the club and maintaining the GAK website. Zeke is an assistant coach for the 2010 boy team. He holds a NJYS F license and SJSL Level 2 Certificate.
Contact: Zeke.Castro@gmail.com
Jennifer Cordone
Executive Board Member/Coach
Jen is a GAK Executive Board member and the coach of the 2011 Tigers 2 girls. She has a NJYS “F” Coaching License. As a youth, Jen played soccer throughout southern New Jersey. She went on to play women’s soccer at Camden County College for the Lady Cougars in the Garden State Athletic Conference and for the University of Massachusetts at Boston Division III Lady Minutewomen. Jen previously coached for Robbinsville Soccer Association and currently lives in Robbinsville with her husband Tony and two daughters.
Tel. Cell: (856) 816 – 6875; Email: Jen.Cordone@Gmail.com
Dan Kuti
Executive Board Member/Assistant Coach
Dan is an Assistant Coach for the GAK 2010. He holds a USSF “F” Coaching license. He has a strong history in the game from playing. He is always looking to expand his knowledge of the game and coaching youth. Dan is a member of the GAK sports committee and active member in the club.
Tel. Cell: (609) 320 – 3631; E-mail: monky2781@aol.com
John Lynch
Executive Board Member/Head Coach
John is an Executive Board Member and Head Coach of the 2009 Boys GAK Cobras. He has a USSF “F” Coaching License. He previously coached recreation soccer in Chesterfield and was a Commissioner for the Chesterfield Township Soccer League. As a youth John played in Bordentown and went on to play at Northern Burlington High School.
Tel. Cell: (609) 577 – 8386; E-mail: johnl@greenvillelogisticsusa.com
Dennis Moir
Executive Board Member/Head Coach
Dennis serves as both Head Coach and Manager for the Fusion. He earned his USSF “F” license in 2015 and previously coached at Hibernian and Robbinsville Soccer Association. In 2017, he helped create the Fusion and build it into the success that it is today. He believes that sports’ lessons of teamwork, dependability, leadership and sportsmanship will carry his players to success in life. A graduate of Ursinus College, Dennis currently resides in Robbinsville with his wife and two children.
Tony Scharko
Executive Board Member/Coach
Tony is coach of the GAK Havoc 2004 Boys and a member of the GAK Sports Committee.
As a youth Tony played in the Hamilton area. At Steinert High School, Tony was part of the 1988 Hall of Fame team that won the CVC Champions, NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III Champions and NJSIAA Group III State Champions. Tony has spent the last fifteen years coaching. He coaches to develop a positive environment for the progression of soccer, soccer skills and love of the game and to help athletes further develop their determination, discipline, dedication, work ethic, heart, persistence, leadership skills, team companionship and respect for others, not only in competition, but in life itself.
Tel. Cell: 609-575-3633; E-mail: tscharko11@gmail.com
Shawn Gardiner
Executive Board Member/Head Coach
Shawn is an Executive Board Member and the Coach of the GAK 2003 Boys. As a youth Shawn played at Steinert High School, where he earned All-County and All-State honors as well as an All-American and in 1988 won the Group Three State Championship. He was also named the NJ Player of the Year and Gatorade Player of the Year. At Mercer County Community College, he helped the Vikings to a national championship berth in his freshman year and received All-American honors once again as a sophomore. He moved onto Lock Haven University to finish his college experience, playing for a season for the Bald Eagles. He was inducted into the Steinert Hall of Fame in 2008 and to the Mercer County Hall of Fame in 2019.
Shawn received his FIFA referee license in 2009, began refereeing high school games in 2011 and was voted Mercer County High School Referee of the Year in 2012. He currently referees in the Mercer Men’s League. He has coached numerous boys teams throughout the Mercer County area over the years. A husband and father of three, Shawn and his family reside in Hamilton.
Tel. Cell: 609-468-0049; E-mail: sgardiner3@verizon.net
James Dean
James is an Executive Board Member and U-18 (2002) Boys Coach
Tel Cell: 609-752-5271; E-mail: jamesdean609@verizon.net