Laurent Fabrice Azonnadou, visionary behind Springfield Youth Sports Builder Academy, holds a Master's Degree in Computer Science and Software Engineering and serves as an Electrician Mate Second Class in the U.S. Navy. Born and raised in Benin, West Africa, Laurent has traveled extensively across Africa, gaining a deep understanding of the challenges facing youth in disadvantaged communities.
His passion for empowering young people drives SYSBA’s mission to build a soccer team that not only takes them off the streets but also equips them with the discipline, polish, and self-worth needed to face life's challenges with confidence. Laurent believes that soccer can provide a pathway for youth to rise above their circumstances, succeed in life, support their families, and make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world.
SYSBA’s core goal is to offer youth a safe, healthy alternative to negative influences like alcohol and drugs, while giving them hope for a brighter future. Soccer becomes a tool for personal development, providing opportunities for success, growth, and global citizenship.
Laurent at Soccer World in Springfield and in Guam scuba diving for the Navy.
Landon Bangert, a founding member of the Springfield Youth Sports Builder Academy, was born and raised in Springfield, graduating from area-school Williamsville High School in 2012. Landon played varsity soccer during his time at WHS, earning all-conference honors and developing a strong passion for both learning and coaching the game. During sophomore year of high school, Landon began coaching his first recreational team of U6 boys and hasn’t stopped coaching for the last 15+ years. Over the last 4 years, Landon has directed the Sherman Area Youth Soccer Association while coaching numerous teams at each age level U4-U14, assisted with several off-season high school teams, and began head coaching the Springfield Southeast High School girl's soccer program during the spring of 2024.
The passion, extensive game knowledge, and coaching philosophies he brings to SYSBA will assist the program in achieving our mission, "To provide athletic opportunity and development for youth." Through his many years of coaching and studying the game, Landon incorporates life lessons of leadership, communication, respect, confidence, and cohesion--values he has learned through playing the game.
Date Mawule Houedakor, also known a "Capito", which is short for captain, was born and raised in Togo, West Africa. His passionate commitment to soccer and youth development in sports led him to Springfield Youth Sports Builder Academy. Date is Personnel Specialist Second Class in the U.S. Navy and former soccer player for the national team of Togo. He holds grassroots coaching licenses and membership in the nonprofit, Illinois Youth Soccer Association. His former soccer clubs include Dyto FC (Togo), Togotelecom FC (Togo), As Douane (Togo), Olympic de Nahouri (Burkina Faso), and FC 105 (Gabon). His coaching experience includes JMFA teens through twenty (Togo 1999-2001), Springfield International Soccer Club Adults (2019-present), Youth Soccer training program u12 (2022-present), and Springfield Wolverines Soccer Club u14 (2024). Date's emphasis is on teamwork, strategy, and player development on the field, in life, and in the community.
Date in Virginia Beach for Navy deployment and Lome,Togo playing for club As Douane.
