Former Minnesota Thunder player Brian Pederson and his wife Stephanie will soon be leaving the North Star State for the Lone Star State. Pederson is taking a new position with the Austin Aztex.
On January 4, 2010, Pederson will start his new job as Director of Camps for the Aztex. Pederson had a similar position as director of the Minnesota Thunder Academy (MTA) North. MTA is not only losing Brian Pederson but also Stephanie Pederson. Stephanie has been the bookeeper for MTA.
“I’m really excited about joining the Aztex organization,” stated Brian Pederson. “They are very professional and a class organization.”
Pederson explained that Austin will be starting a camp clinic program with a new business plan which he is very excited about.
Pederson spent two years on the Minnesota Thunder roster. Last summer he played with the Rochester Thunder PDL team where he wore the captain’s armband and was once named to the USL PDL Team of the Week. Pederson filled the role of North Director while playing for both Thunder teams over the last 3 years.
MTA has announced Pederson’s replacement as Ben Gaddis. Gaddis has twenty years of soccer coaching experience in the Twin Cities area, including five with Bangu-Tsunami/MN Thunder Academy. Ben holds his US Soccer ‘B’ License and US Soccer National ‘Y’ License, and has won several states cups as a player and coach. In addition to his new role as North Director, Ben will continue coaching several teams in the MN Thunder Academy and as the assistant coach at UW-River Falls.
Ben will officially begin his tenure on January 1, 2010.