Private Lessons & Coaches in Verona, NJ

I'm a college coach at St. Elizabeth University with a passion for equipping basketball players with the tools to succeed. I work to expand players' skill sets while honing in on the fundamentals and IQ necessary to thrive!

With over a decade of coaching experience, Coach Sims has dedicated her career to developing young athletes both on and off the court. Her coaching journey began at Marion P. Thomas Charter School, where she successfully launched and built the high school girls basketball program from the ground up, establishing a strong and competitive foundation. After several successful seasons as head coach, she continued her impact in the sport by leading both Freshman and Junior Varsity teams over a three-year span, helping shape future varsity talent and maintaining a winning culture. Coach Sims later returned to her alma mater, Columbia High School, where she served as the Junior Varsity coach and assisted with the Varsity program for three seasons. Most recently, she led her JV team to an impressive 14-3 record, reflecting her commitment to excellence, player development, and team cohesion. Her coaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that defense builds offense. She emphasizes hard work, consistency, and the importance of building basketball IQ, principles that have consistently translated to success on the court. Coach Sims continues to inspire and mentor student-athletes, fostering growth through discipline, teamwork, and a love for the game.

Elevating basketball players to reach their full potential is my passion. For 18 years, I've honed my coaching style, emphasizing both fundamental skills and strategic gameplay. Let's work together to unlock your potential on the court!

I'm a basketball coach with 22 years of experience fostering a love for the game while developing well-rounded athletes. My coaching blends technical expertise with a focus on building confidence and teamwork for players of all levels. Let's hit the court and elevate your game together!

Fueling potential and fostering growth on the gridiron has been my focus for 13 years. As a dedicated football coach, I'm committed to providing tailored guidance, skill enhancement, and instilling a profound love for the sport. Join me to elevate your game!

Dr. Carl A. Walden – Coaching Biography Dr. Carl A. Walden is a respected basketball coach, player development expert, and community leader with over 15 years of coaching and mentoring experience, working with athletes from youth programs to the professional level. Known for his passion, structure, and deep understanding of the game, Dr. Walden has built a career rooted in servant leadership, athlete empowerment, and social impact. Dr. Walden’s basketball journey began at the historic St. Anthony High School in Jersey City, NJ, where he served as a team manager under the legendary Hall of Fame Coach Bob Hurley Sr. During his time at St. Anthony, Dr. Walden studied the game closely from one of the greatest minds in basketball history, developing a sharp eye for detail, discipline, and what it takes to build winning programs. He went on to apply those lessons throughout a coaching career spanning more than a decade, during which he has mentored, trained, and developed hundreds of athletes, helping many earn college scholarships or sign professional contracts overseas. Dr. Walden is the Co-Founder of Next Level Select Equal Opportunity Alliance Inc., a nonprofit organization that uses sports, education, and housing initiatives to transform the lives of underserved youth. He is also the Co-Owner of BC Aragats, a professional team in the Armenia Pro League, where he’s helping pioneer a movement to grow the game internationally while opening new doors for American and Armenian athletes alike. His mission is multifaceted: Lead the "Armenia Loves Basketball" campaign, which combines youth outreach, pro team branding, and cultural impact. Establish a sports academy and trade school in Newark, NJ and Armenia focused on degrees in sports management, real estate, broadcasting, barbering, and more. Launch a player-owned team model inspired by the Green Bay Packers, rooted in community investment and long-term sustainability. Provide affordable housing, education, and job training for youth and families in need. Dr. Walden also serves as a Player Development Coach, helping athletes sharpen their fundamentals, raise their basketball IQ, and prepare for life beyond the game. He holds a doctoral degree, graduated with a 4.0 GPA, and is the creative force behind the upcoming documentary The Dynamic Duo of Basketball, chronicling Ed and Jordan Hudson’s historic journey as the first father-son duo to play professional basketball together. From managing at St. Anthony to owning a pro team overseas, Dr. Carl A. Walden’s journey is a testament to vision, resilience, and a calling to uplift others through the game he loves.

I am a PGA specialized professional in Teaching & Coaching and board certified sport psychology consultant. I have been a PGA of America member since 2011 and teaching for close to 10 years. I have worked at many upscale clubs in the Met section at such roles as shop assistant, assistant and teaching professional. I have played in local PGA sanctioned events and am working to be certified as Golf fitness trainer by National Academy of Sport Medicine. I have the ultimate goal within a couple years of achieving the status of Master PGA golf professional in Teaching & Coaching. I also have developed a benchmark for sport psychology based on Individual Zone of Optimal Functioning for a golfer to obtain their ideal zone

"Very good at analyzing specific things to work in while keeping it simple.

Brandon is a dedicated golf coach currently offering indoor lessons. His expertise is backed by a TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) Level 2 Power certification and a Dana Dahlquist Certification. Throughout his career, Brandon has had the privilege of being mentored by renowned coaches including Dana Dahlquist, Todd Anderson, Mike Bender, and Jeff Mullican. His skills in putting and short game mechanics have been honed under the guidance of Mike Shannon. Brandon has also enriched his coaching techniques with mental game philosophies learned from Rick Sessinghaus and Dr. Morris Pikens. His deep understanding of the game was further cemented during his time at Coastal Carolina University, where he earned a golf team scholarship and competed as part of an NCAA Division 1 team ranked within the top 30. In addition to his academic and coaching credentials, Brandon has an extensive competitive background, having participated in tournaments on the Asher Tour, USGA, AJGA, FJT, FCWT, PJGT, and numerous other invitational events. His broad experience and educational background make him a proficient and insightful coach, dedicated to enhancing the skills and mental toughness of his students.

David is a TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) certified coach and a US Kids certified instructor. He is also an advisory staff member for Honma Golf and a Tathata golf body movement specialist. Since 1998, David has taught over 20,000 golf lessons to players ranging from beginners to advanced, and from juniors to seniors. He has competed in local professional tournaments across New York, New Jersey, and Florida. A graduate from The Golf Academy of the South in Orlando, Florida, class of 1991, David has had the opportunity to observe and work personally with top 100 instructors including Mike Malaska, Michael Bender, Michael Bennett, Andy Plummer, Charlie King, and Carl Rabito.

Class "A" PGA member and TrackMan Specialist, began his golf journey on his father's New Mexico driving range. With over three decades of coaching experience, he's a US Kids Top 50 Instructor, dedicating over 18,000 hours to empowering golfers of all levels. Passionate about advancing the sport, Chance blends traditional wisdom with modern coaching techniques to help golf enthusiasts achieve their goals.