Kofa’s Jamie Nicewander helping young athletes bridge borders through Datileros Soccer Club

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Jamie Nicewander, head soccer coach at Kofa High School, is expanding his impact beyond the high school sidelines.

Nicewander recently accepted a position with the Datileros de San Luis, a third-division professional soccer club in Mexico that's quickly gaining traction and his new role is helping student-athletes bridge the gap between the U.S. and Mexican soccer systems.

"I'm still coaching at Kofa, and now I'm also working directly with Datileros," Nicewander said. "It's a unique position. For kids in our community whether they live in Yuma, San Luis, Phoenix, or across the border it opens up a real pathway."

That pathway includes both athletic and academic growth.

"Datileros players compete against professionals, yet retain their amateur status making them eligible to play collegiate soccer in the United States. It's the best of both worlds," Nicewander says.

He's already helping kids navigate the paperwork, school requirements, and communication with college coaches.

"The development system in Mexico is extremely professional. Expectations are clear, and the environment is competitive," he said. "You're seeing athletes from across Sonora and Baja California, even the Universidad de San Luis, coming to play here."

The Datileros' home stadium near 24th Street in San Luis regularly draws big crowds, giving young athletes a taste of high-level competition.

Nicewander sees it as a launchpad for players who might otherwise be overlooked.

"There's so much talent that goes unnoticed," he said. "Helping these kids find a path....That's what it's all about."

That mission isn't just about Mexico. Nicewander's dual roles allow him to guide Kofa athletes who might want to play abroad, and vice versa, Mexican athletes looking to study and compete in the U.S.

"This is a unifying project," he said. "For the first time, we have something that connects both sides of the border in a real way."

Nicewander points to recent success stories like Nick Sullivan, a local product drafted by LA Galaxy in the MLS SuperDraft, as proof that players from the Yuma region can go pro.

"We've had the region’s top scorer three years in a row," he said. "With the talent coming back this fall, I think we'll make it four."

With his new role, Nicewander is creating a lasting pipeline, one that could change the future of border region soccer for good.