HI-FIVE MT. PROSPECT, IL
WELCOME 2 (larger)
keep kids active, moving, involved and engaged
Hi-Five Sports Club Mt. Prospect launched Jan 2017 as the 8th franchise. The business is headed by Ian Thomas who has been enriching the lives of children for nearly two decades.
Hi-Five uses sports as a tool to promote positive character in our youth through our coaching. We coach behavior first and instill a specific behavior that is expected in all of our programs. When children come to Hi-Five in Mount Prospect, they understand what is expected of them and how they should act. Our coaches create a safe and fun environment. We use positive reinforcement with all of our coaches and help children understand the “why” when playing sports. We are a low pressure sports environment without the yelling and screaming. We want to turn kids onto sports, and not off. We use sports for kids entertainment and keep kids active, moving, involved and engaged.
OUR TEAM
Ian Thomas grew up in Des Plaines, Illinois and attended Maine West High School where he lettered in 3 different sports. He attended Carthage College where he lettered and played college football. Ian then transferred to North Park University where he lettered on the football team and received his Bachelors Degree in Physical Education. Ian resides in Hoffman Estates with his two children, Easton and Aria.
Ian began coaching when he was 21 years old at Chicago Academy where he coached the Sophomore girls basketball team the first year. He then moved to coaching the Varsity Boys Basketball team the following two years. Ian then received a teaching position at Christian Heritage Academy in Northfield, Illinois where he taught Physical Education for 5 years. During these years he coached at Deerfield High School for 4 years and helped the varsity team earn back to back regional championships. He coached at New Trier for a few years where he helped the Freshman Football teams. Ian spent those 5 years at Christian Heritage coaching their soccer teams and track teams at the Middle School level. In 2012 Ian led the Maine East Freshmen team to a CSL conference championship. He then took a teaching position in Waukegan Illinois where he taught at Jack Benny Middle School where he taught Physical Education and Health. While teaching in Waukegan, he coached the varsity Football and Boys Basketball teams. Ian then took a Physical Education job at Gavin South Middle School in Fox Lake, and coached the freshmen football team at Grant High School. In 2016, he led the Grant Football team to a 9-0 record. He most recently coached the 6th grade boys basketball team at Caruso Middle School in Deerfield.
Ian is known to be one of the best coaches in the area in developing talent in football and basketball. His experience with sports brings a lot to the table. He understands that kids want to know how much you care, before they know how much you know. And he forms his coaching philosophy around that mentality. Ian is excited to continue to build relationships with the youth in the Northwest suburbs of Illinois and partner with parents.
Colin brings a unique blend of heart, creativity, and organization to the Hi-Five team. Colin grew up in Mt Prospect. He went to high school at Prospect, where he was on the baseball, swimming, and diving teams. He has a master’s in social work and a background in youth programming and education. Colin is a lifelong musician and creative who strives to always find new ways to make camp more engaging, inclusive, and fun for campers and staff alike. Outside of camp, Colin lives with his wife, twin boys, two cats, and one dog in Des Plaines.