Coach Tarek is the founder and head coach of MN Spice Softball, bringing over a decade of softball coaching experience to the program. Tarek has a strong track record of building competitive teams and helping athletes grow on and off the field.

In addition to softball, he has coached football, baseball, volleyball, and basketball, offering a well-rounded perspective on athletic development. He also played a key role in launching the Frights Club softball program, giving him valuable experience in building a successful program and teams from the ground up.

Tarek specializes in hitting and infield instruction and is passionate about helping players build confidence, sharpen their skills, and play with purpose. His coaching style reflects the core values of MN Spice: grit, growth, and game IQ.

Outside of coaching, Tarek teaches high school social studies. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Merissa, their son Tyus, and their dog Sampson. Some of his favorite ways to relax include traveling up north and hanging out with family and friends.

Tarek created MN Spice to give athletes a fresh, competitive, and supportive club softball experience where every player is seen, heard, and valued.

Coach Jill brings a strong athletic background and a passion for player development to MN Spice Softball. A three-sport athlete at Park Center Senior High, she was a three-year starting pitcher and two-year starting forward in soccer, helping lead her team to its first-ever State Tournament appearance and earning All-Tournament Team honors.

Jill played both softball and soccer at The College of St. Scholastica before continuing her love for competition in slow-pitch softball and hockey. She also spent a season as the varsity pitching coach at Osseo High School, where she helped athletes grow in both skill and confidence.

Specializing in pitching, Jill emphasizes strong fundamentals, mental toughness, and leadership on the mound. Her coaching reflects MN Spice’s values of grit, growth, and game IQ. She’s dedicated to creating a supportive, competitive environment where athletes feel seen, challenged, and ready to level up.

Coach Julia is a former catcher and infielder with eight years of competitive softball experience. She played at Osseo High School under Coaches Tarek and Emily and competed with Midwest Speed's Club team, gaining firsthand knowledge of high-level play and team culture.

Currently a junior at the University of Arizona studying communication, Julia is entering her third year of coaching. She is passionate about being the type of club coach she wished she had—one who brings positivity, builds confidence, and supports the mental side of the game as much as the physical.

Julia’s coaching style emphasizes resilience, smart decision-making, and a love for the sport. She’s committed to helping MN Spice athletes develop their skills, enjoy the game, and grow as both players and people.

Coach Erica brings a lifelong love for the game and four years of collegiate softball experience to MN Spice Softball. Originally from Plainfield, Wisconsin, she moved to St. Paul to attend St. Catherine University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting and marketing while competing as a pitcher and infielder.

With a playing career that began in t-ball and carried through college, Erica offers both technical expertise and a deep passion for the sport. She focuses on helping athletes develop their skills, grow their confidence, and enjoy the game at every stage.

Off the field, Erica works as an audit staff accountant in Minneapolis. She is committed to creating a positive, competitive environment where players can thrive and share in the same love of softball that has shaped her own journey.