Chance Sports is a 501(c)(3) non-profit scholarship organization dedicated to removing financial barriers that prevent young athletes from accessing competitive club sports. We provide need-based funding to families who qualify, ensuring that a lack of income is never the reason a deserving kid has to sit on the sidelines. Our name says everything we believe to be true. Give someone a chance — a real opportunity, a level playing field, a reason to hope — and you can change the trajectory of their life. Our mission was born from a simple but urgent truth: we kept watching talented, driven kids get left out of competitive sport not because they lacked ability or work ethic, but because their families lacked disposable income. We knew we could do something about that. The impact of what we do extends far beyond the field. When a kid earns their spot and gets to stay in the game, it shapes who they become — on the court, in the classroom, and in their community. We are not just funding athletes. We are investing in the next generation of leaders.
Breaking Income Barriers
Every athlete who earns their spot deserves to keep it — regardless of their family's financial situation. Chance Sports exists to make sure that the cost of competitive sport never determines who gets to play.
Development
Competitive sport teaches young people lessons that no classroom can replicate — discipline, resilience, failure tolerance, teamwork, leadership, and how to compete and lose with grace. When we fund an athlete, we are investing in their development as a whole person, not just a player.
Equality
Talent is equally distributed. Opportunity is not. Chance Sports is committed to closing that gap — one athlete, one scholarship, one chance at a time.
Our Mission
Simple in purpose. Powerful in impact.
Our mission is straightforward: to provide student-athletes with the financial support they need to access competitive club sports — and through those sports, to develop the leadership, resilience, and teambuilding skills that will serve them on and off the field for the rest of their lives. But to truly understand our mission, you have to understand our philosophy. We believe that when you invest in a young athlete, you are investing in a future leader. The kids we fund today are the coaches, mentors, parents, and community builders of tomorrow. Our goal is not just to help them pay for their sport — it is to set a ripple effect in motion. One scholarship. One opportunity. One kid who stays in the game, grows through it, and one day gives back because someone believed in them first. We call it giving someone their chance — their golden ticket. We are removing financial barriers for hardworking, dedicated, and deserving young athletes and leveling a playing field that has never been truly level. Because when you give a kid a real shot, the odds of them winning — in sport and in life — go up dramatically. That is what Chance Sports is here to do.
Dedication + Opportunity
At Chance Sports, our commitment is simple — every athlete who has earned their spot deserves the opportunity to keep it. As the cost of competitive youth sport continues to rise, we stand alongside the families who are working hardest to make it possible. They are not just our recipients. They are our inspiration and our driving force. We work in close partnership with sport clubs across Colorado and Western Michigan to identify athletes with financial need and connect them with the funding to continue competing at the level they have worked so hard to reach. Whether it is a first-year scholar just finding their footing or a returning athlete chasing their next milestone, Chance Sports is here — dedicated to opening doors and keeping them open.
Leveling the Playing Field
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The impact of competitive sport extends far beyond the field, the court, and the track. At Chance Sports, we are actively breaking down the financial barriers that prevent talented young athletes from reaching their potential — because we believe that when opportunity is truly equal, extraordinary things happen. We are not doing this alone. We are doing it together — with families, clubs, donors, and communities who share our belief that every kid deserves a fair shot.
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Sport is the vehicle. Leadership is the destination. Beyond the wins and the championships, Chance Sports is investing in the development of future role models, community leaders, and champions of character. We believe that student-athletes who are given the opportunity to compete at their highest level carry those lessons — discipline, resilience, teamwork, and purpose — into every room they walk into for the rest of their lives.
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We are building something bigger than a scholarship program. We are cultivating a culture of shared purpose — one where clubs, families, donors, and athletes are united by a common belief that sport has the power to change lives. The ripple effect of what we do today will be felt in neighborhoods, schools, and communities for years to come.
One athlete. One life. One chance at a time.
OUR TEAM
Vickie Puchi
Vickie Puchi joined Chance Sports as its inaugural executive director in 2023. Previously, Vickie was vice president of programs and strategy at ACE Scholarships, a Colorado non-profit scholarship granting organization, where she helped expand the footprint of the scholarship program beyond Colorado’s borders, allowing it to impact four times the number of students. Before ACE, she worked as vice president of development and communications for Denver Kids, Inc., a public/private partnership of the Denver Public Schools that provides educational counseling and mentoring to at-risk students.
Roxy Kamal
Roxy brings more than 15 years soccer and futsal leadership to Chance Sports. With a Master’s in Sports Management, she specializes in program development, youth sports systems, and sustainable, athlete-centered pathways. As a former Division I athlete & captain at San Jose State University, prior roles as Assoc. Dir. of Futsal with Colorado Rapids Youth SC and as a member of the U.S. Women’s Futsal National Team, she is committed to creating meaningful opportunities for youth, giving back to the sports communities that raised her, and building collaborative, long-term development programs that allow young athletes to thrive.
Eren Ruiz
Raising multiple young athletes ranging in age from newborn to 14. Eren sees daily the benefits of their participation, while also experiencing the impact it has on the entire family. She has managed multiple soccer teams from different clubs, as well as lower income clubs where she has seen first-hand the struggle that parents face. Her ability to be a resource to other families in her community, and her business background, make her a valuable member of our team.
Kelly Thomas Tilley
Kelly’s connection to the mission is deeply personal, growing up as a competitive soccer player, beginning club soccer in third grade and later playing Division I soccer for four years at Loyola University Maryland. Her resulting passion is to expand access to competitive sports so young athletes can experience the same growth, confidence, and opportunity that shaped her own life. Kelly brings an extensive fundraising background to Chance Sports, supporting grant development, fundraising strategy, and processes that help ensure resources reach the athletes who need them most.
OUR BOARD
Jen Andrews
Jennifer Andrews has over 25 years in business and non-profit leadership, and her hallmark is building leaders. Most recently she spent 6 years at Teach for America Colorado as Vice President of Program Continuum, where she led the teams in Denver, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. Her career began with the Red Robin restaurant company where she spent 16 years as they grew from 44 restaurants to 450, working on multiple facets of the business. While at Red Robin she served for 5 years on the Board of Directors for Denver Kids, a non-profit that provides wrap around supports to youth. It became clear that mission-driven work was her calling, so she jumped off the corporate ladder to join the non-profit full time, as the Chief Operating Officer and then as Interim CEO. Jen believes that every child deserves the opportunity to stretch and reach their potential and being clear-eyed about the inequities and barriers that currently exist, she is deeply devoted to a brighter tomorrow for our kids and our communities.
Billy-Brown
A lifelong athlete, Billy was a collegiate football player at Drake University. His board work is extensive. His prior board service includes Denver Kids Inc, Denver Active 20-30 Children’s Foundation and Bluff Lake Nature Center. He currently serves on the boards of Denver School of Science and Technology and Lyra Colorado and is thrilled to be a part of Chance. During the day, Billy is a Regional Manager for ATec, a Medical Device Company specializing in Spine Surgery. He’s married to Krista and has three children, Mikayla (22), Matthias (16) and Macy (13). For fun, he loves fitness, travel and playing pickleball with his wife Krista
Chris Caswell
Chris Caswell is the founding member of CCC, LLC, a financial and operational consulting firm. Prior to launching his own firm, Chris spent 5 years as the Chief Operating Officer with two West Michigan based private manufacturing companies. Previously, he spent 18 years at Amway Corporation in various Financial and Operational Executive roles. Chris practiced public accounting with PricewaterhouseCoopers after graduating from college.
Aidah Clinton
Aidah is a Colorado native with deep roots in Denver’s youth sports community. She currently serves as Director of Lower School Admission and Financial Aid at her alma mater, Colorado Academy. In this role, she oversees admission and recruitment efforts for grades Pre-Kindergarten through Fifth grade, oversees the Financial Aid process, and manages up to date trends in admissions both locally and nationally. She is always excited about the time she is able to spend in classrooms, with auxiliary programming, and coaching. Previously, Aidah served as the National Alumni and Family Engagement Manager for ACE Scholarships.
James Coleman
Senator James R. Coleman was born and raised in the Park Hill neighborhood of Denver and is a resident of the district he so proudly represents: Senate District 33. Coleman served his first term in 2016, becoming the youngest elected to Colorado’s state legislature. After serving 2 terms as the State Representative of House District 7, he went on to win his election to the Senate District 33 seat in November 2020. Senator Coleman currently serves as the Senate President Pro Tem, Chair of the Senate State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee, Vice-Chair of the Senate Business, Labor, and Technology Committee, and Vice-Chair of the Legislative Oversight Committee Concerning Colorado Jail Standards. The Senator also serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Legislative Council Committee, and the Colorado Youth Advisory Council Committee.
Paul Crandall
Paul currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer for Catamount Constructors, Inc., a 100% employee-owned ENR Top 400 Contractor. Paul has over 13 years of finance experience in the construction industry and has been at Catamount since 2016. In his role as a CFO, Paul provides guidance for the company’s financial future and leads the implementation and management of all finance and accounting functions. His industry knowledge and drive for innovation, delivers solutions to share success with Catamount’s clients, partners, and team.
Colin Larson
Colin Larson is Director of Government Affairs at the Colorado Restaurant Association. He was previously elected to represent Colorado House District 22, which includes the Ken Caryl and Columbine areas, and served on the Education, Public Health, Appropriations, and Audit Committees during his four-year tenure from 2019 through 2022.
Brandon Meanchop
Brandon Meanchop is an accomplished professional with expertise in corporate marketing, strategic planning, and business development. He currently serves as an Associate in Corporate Marketing Solutions at Morgan Stanley, where he plays a key role in executing high-impact marketing strategies designed to drive corporate client engagement and enhance the firm’s brand presence. With over two years of experience at Morgan Stanley, Brandon has consistently delivered results through innovative and data-driven initiatives that align with the firm’s long-term objectives.
Luke Ragland
Luke Ragland serves as Senior Vice President, Grants Program at the Daniels Fund. He oversees all aspects of the Grants Program, including eight grant funding areas across the Daniels Fund’s four-state region.
Katie Vanderweide Renker
Katie Vanderweide Renker is an investor and philanthropist who is actively involved in various business ventures of the DeVos family. As a partner at Baton Collective, she plays a key role in supporting the operations of Michigan Sports Academies, which offers club sports programming for youth in West Michigan, including volleyball, basketball, and soccer.
Margo Simpson
Margo Simpson is a passionate advocate for education, athletics, and community empowerment. A graduate of Dartmouth College, she was the captain of the Division I Dartmouth Women’s Lacrosse team, helping lead them to an NCAA National Championship appearance. Margo then went on to have a successful career in technology consulting at IBM and Vail Resorts.
Jonathan Tee
Jonathan Tee is a Partner at Oak Rose Group, a mission-driven consulting firm that advances policies, ideas and organizations that lead to human flourishing. The firm works at the intersection of philanthropy, social entrepreneurship and public policy to generate meaningful improvements in education, workforce development and economic mobility in communities across the country.