Tim Jansen’s recent appointment as Sarasota Paradise’s Director of Operations marks the culmination of a unique journey, from playing youth soccer in Sarasota to serving 20 years in the Army. Born in Cincinnati and raised in Sarasota, Tim’s early life revolved around baseball. However, when the 1994 World Cup was hosted in the United States, his passion for soccer was sparked, and his childhood dream became winning the World Cup with the U.S. National Team.
Growing up in Sarasota, Tim played for the Sarasota Storm, now called FC Sarasota. Soccer wasn’t just a personal passion—it became a family affair. Tim’s brothers also played for the club, and the entire family was fully committed to the sport for years. His grandparents often drove him to games, and Tim remains grateful for the strong family bonds formed through soccer. Unfortunately, his aspirations of pursuing soccer at a higher level were cut short when Sarasota Storm folded during his senior year of high school. Despite the setback, Tim knew by this point that he wanted to coach and be involved in team-building. At age 17, in August 2001, he earned his first coaching license. He also played for Venice High School, where he graduated.
Tim’s life took a major turn during his senior year, following the tragic events of 9/11. Like many young Americans, he was deeply impacted by the event, and when a military recruiter presented the opportunity to serve his country while traveling the world, Tim enlisted in the Army. Over the next two decades, his military career took him across the globe—from Germany to Iraq, and into the Army’s corrections system, where he worked in various confinement facilities. He bounced between South Korea and Cuba while trying to keep a home base in Kansas. Though devoted to his military career, Tim remained a father first and foremost. He has two wonderful teenage children who are currently in high school, and he sacrifices time with them to move back home and start his new career. They plan to visit him during every school break.
Despite his commitment to the Army, Tim never lost his passion for soccer. After his service, he found a coaching opportunity with a youth affiliate club of Sporting Kansas City. As his retirement approached, he sought a new career that aligned with his passion. That’s when he came across Sarasota Paradise. “I couldn’t believe it,” Tim said. “I made my resume from my Army experience, submitted it, and was thankful to find something I was passionate about.” After a Zoom interview and flying down to meet with team owner Marcus Walfridson, Tim was hired. “That really made me feel like I made it in life,” he added. This will be Tim’s first full-time job post-military, and he’s excited to bring his unique background to the team. Having finished his degree in sports management from American Military University, Tim is now simply waiting for his graduation on October 1st.
For Tim, this new role is a full-circle moment. “I’ve always thought of Sarasota as a hub for soccer in Southwest Florida,” he said. “There’s so much potential here, and I want to help unite the community, develop homegrown talent, and ultimately contribute to the U.S. National Team’s success on the world stage.”
As Director of Operations, Tim plans to leverage his military experience to help Sarasota Paradise achieve its ambitious goals. “It takes all of us to grow the beautiful game,” he reflected, expressing his commitment to making Sarasota the soccer capital of Southwest Florida.
With Tim Jansen at the helm of operations, Sarasota Paradise is poised for significant growth, and Tim is ready to lead the charge.
