Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Denne.
Hi Chris, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started coaching soccer at the YMCA when my son was 4 or 5 years old. It really rekindled my love of the game. I played at a pretty high level in my youth and played on competitive men’s teams on and off as an adult.
In 2019, I showed up at an open gym event at Windom Rec. Center in Northeast Minneapolis, hoping to play some indoor soccer. Sadly, There wasn’t anyone there. I spoke with the front desk and they said nobody really comes around. So, I started calling friends to come play. It was friends and friends’ kids. We kind of took the place over. We’d turn on the radio and just play. It was tons of fun. Once more kids started showing, I started making teams and organizing a little more.
It was around this time I met Dave, the park director. He was great with letting us have gym time. As long as it was open to the public, we could use the gym for a few hours a week. This was great because now we had a reliable facility to play soccer and we could advertise and have new families and kids come join us at no cost.
We really had a lot of participation. I never thought so many people would catch on to what we were up to, but word spread. Kids from all different backgrounds started showing up to play. It’s always been a cool mosaic of players and families from different backgrounds. We play futsal, an accessible form of indoor soccer, so we fit nicely with the working families and immigrant families that make up Northeast Minneapolis.
We are now a fully operational 501c3 that promotes healthy, active living and accessible, competitive soccer in the Northeast Minneapolis and St. Anthony area. We have futsal programs at Windom Rec Center Wednesday nights, a high school night for older more competitive players Tuesday nighs, and all-ages pick up Saturday afternoons. We also have outdoor teams that play in local leagues, as well as outdoor soccer that consists of skills training by talented local coaches for younger players and lots of unstructured free-play scrimmage time.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Well, we started just a year before the pandemic so that was a pretty big blow. We scaled way back but managed to keep playing safely during most of that time period. We put kids in smaller groups and took their temperatures and required hand sanitizer before playing. Masks were required coming and going and while playing if the player wanted. We had zero known cases of transmission.
Outside of that, we’ve been really lucky. Things just seem to happen organically. We are definitely the definition of a grassroots soccer club
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work at Target.com. It’s a high-paced, high-stress job. I troubleshoot shipping and app issues related to online orders. As you can imagine, folks are pretty frustrated by the time I speak with them. I pride myself in having grace under pressure. Someone might be yelling at me for a particular issue and I just carry on trying to solve the problem Empathy is key. I know they are having a hard time.
I also substitute teach on the side. It is a fun way to make some extra money and do something worthwhile. It also takes a lot of grace under pressure; and patience. You never know the crazy situation you’re about to walk into. Substitute teaching is fun and parallels coaching in many ways. You have to be able to think on your feet, make adjustments to plans, and always have a contingency. Nothing ever goes the way it’s supposed to so deal with what is in front of you.
I think of myself as a regular guy, so I’m not sure what would set me apart. I’m most proud of my family, my son and fiancé and her daughter. Navigating being a single dad would easily be the most important accomplishment I have going.
What matters most to you? Why?
I think I have already spoken to that having referenced my family. But to put a finer point on it, I’d say making connections with people. That is what Dynamo really is. It’s a soccer club, but kids come for belonging and friendship. Sport is secondary to that. They will forget the scores of games and wins and losses but they will always remember their friends and the feeling of camaraderie. Being able to be a catalyst for that is pretty neat.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dynamosc.org
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/mpls_dynamo_sc
- Facebook: www. facebook.com/dynamo.sc.mn
