Board of Directors
Leo Young
President, and Founder of Sore to Soaring
From St. Petersburg, FL, Leo Young’s passion for baseball and business success drives The Sore to Soaring Project. With a B.S. in Education from Florida State University, he fused his love for sports with teaching expertise, recognizing that the traits honed on the field—resilience, teamwork, and adaptability—are critical for professional success. Mentored by coaches Jeff Hogan and Fred Hatfield, Leo developed a philosophy that links athletic discipline to workplace excellence, addressing gaps in today’s graduates that schools often fail to teach.
As a coach at Tallahassee State College, Leo led teams to three state championship appearances, instilling perseverance and strategic thinking in athletes. His role as a Seattle Mariners scout refined his ability to evaluate talent, reinforcing how sports cultivate leadership and adversity management—skills businesses demand. These principles anchor The Lupos Initiative, emphasizing athlete-centered development.
A published author, Leo champions the idea that sports teach what academia often misses: grit, collaboration, and decision-making under pressure. Through Sore to Soaring, a Florida-based nonprofit, he empowers young athletes and coaches, fostering a community where sports-driven traits prepare graduates for professional success.
Steve Kozak, Executive Director of Sore to Soaring, blends leadership, creativity, and a commitment to youth development. As the visionary behind The Discipleship Project on YouTube, he engages a global audience on spiritual growth, faith, and personal development, fostering meaningful change.
An accomplished author, Steve has written several books, including 21 Days to Better Mental Fitness, The Truth Is, and Beyond the Edge of the Water, inspiring personal and spiritual growth.
Through Kozak Creative, his digital media agency, Steve applies his expertise in video production, storytelling, and branding to expand Sore to Soaring’s outreach and support other organizations.
At Sore to Soaring, he leverages his experience in community building, media, and development to create a transformative space for youth in sports and personal growth. His leadership drives the foundation’s mission to empower the next generation through sports and life education.
Steve Kozak
Executive Director
With both an undergraduate and graduate degree in education and over 20 years of experience as an educator and coach, Derek brings a strong focus on youth development and organizational impact. As the head of Florida Virtual School’s Driver Education program, Derek reaches over 75,000 students annually, championing safe driving and earning recognition for excellence in education. His holistic approach emphasizes athletic skills, character building, and resilience.
A seasoned basketball coach, Derek has held key roles with the Tampa Bay Rain (ABA), USF, and Florida College, instilling teamwork and sportsmanship in young athletes. As the executive director of OnCourt Basketball, he fosters growth on and off the court, while his multimedia company, EchoReign, supports educational and athletic initiatives in partnership with Tampa Bay organizations.
At Sore to Soaring, Derek leverages his expertise in education and strategy to develop accessible, high-quality athletic programs, fostering an environment where young athletes can thrive. His dedication to building skills and community is essential to The Lupos Initiative’s mission of empowering Florida’s youth.
Dereck Stewart
Director
Advisory Board
Dr. Jan Schorpion serves as the special advisor on physical development and recovery programming. With over 14 years of experience as a physical therapist, Jan is a Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialist, a credential that underscores his advanced expertise in sports-related injury prevention and recovery. This certification is critical to the mission, as it reflects Jan’s proficiency in developing targeted programs that meet the unique needs of athletes, ensuring both optimal performance and safety.
Originally from Belgium, Jan moved to the United States at age 17, where his passion for sports—particularly soccer, cycling, and running—sparked a lifelong dedication to understanding the body’s potential and movement.
Now a husband and father to two active young sons, Jan continues to embody his philosophy of continuous improvement as an avid runner and cyclist. His role enables him to provide cutting-edge physical development and recovery programs, helping athletes achieve peak performance safely and sustainably.