Our Team

Brigham Joy, President and Baseball Recruiter

Brigham played college baseball at Washburn University and was invited to play on a team traveling to Germany and the Czech Republic. He traveled to Europe, and his life was changed forever. “It is absolutely the coolest thing I have ever done”, is something you will hear Brigham say time and time again.

Brigham has been involved in international sports since 2002. He has traveled with teams to Australia, Peru, Aruba, Curacao, Belgium, Holland, France, Germany, Czech Republic, and Spain.

Brigham founded America’s Team with the simple goal: To give kids the same opportunity he was given, and to help them see the world and change their lives in a positive way.

Becky Bliss, Softball Recruiter

Becky became involved in international softball while coaching at York College in Pennsylvania. She was chosen to coach teams in Holland and Italy.

Becky was so impressed with the ability of the players to come together so quickly both on and off the field. It was great to see the players adapt to the different talent levels. One day our team offered a clinic for Italian players that had never touched a glove or bat, and the next day they competed against former Olympic caliber players.

Becky’s goal is to continue to allow kids see how the game is played in other countries, this way they can help to grow the game of softball and be proud of what they have accomplished. She also wants to show the kids how other people around the world live their lives. There is no substitute for seeing the world first hand.

Tommy Thompson, Softball Recruiter

Tommy is a former collegiate baseball player, competing and earning All-American honors twice at the Community College of Baltimore.

Since 1993, Tommy has dedicated his life to teach the fundamentals and the mental aspect of softball.  To become an elite player, one must not only understand their physical capabilities, but they must excel in the game mentally.  Tommy's philosophy has been, and will always remain EDUCATION/FAMILY/SPORTS.  He believes that education and family are far more important than any game ever played. 

It is because of this belief in family and education that Tommy was drawn to America's Team.  Tommy first became involved with America's Team while coaching in Italy.  What he saw only strengthened his belief that softball, and now travel, can impact a young lady's life.  Tommy states, "lessons learned on the softball field were numerous, but pale compared to the lessons learned from interacting with the gracious Italian people.  Not only do they want to share their culture, they were eager to learn about us."

Tommy has been married for 31 years and has two daughters.

 

 

ACIS American Council for International Studies

America’s Team specializes in international sports tours and has partnered with ACIS, the premiere educational travel company sponsoring student trips worldwide.  Since 1978, ACIS has been changing lives through travel by helping students discover the best of the world and the best of themselves.   AT/ACIS Educational Tours are built on the passionate belief that travel changes lives. Since 1978, ACIS has guided teachers and coaches and student-athletes on over a half million unforgettable educational trips. By traveling on an AT/ACIS tour, student-athletes gain insight not just from seeing famous places, but also from observing life in and around them.