Meet the Staff
Board Members
Kelsey McGuire, Executive Director and Founder
Kelsey was born and raised in Horsham, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Hatboro-Horsham High School in 2013 she headed to Kutztown University. At KU she dual majored in Special Education for Visual Impairments (Ages Birth to 21 Years) and Elementary Education (Pre K-4th Grade) with a minor in Psychology. Upon her graduation in December 2017, she began teaching at Overbrook School for Blind (OSB) in January 2018. In 2021, she received her dual Master’s degree from Drexel University in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis.
In 2019, Kelsey had the opportunity to accompany one of her students to an open skate with the Philadelphia Flyers. Never did she think that opportunity would open the door for her in the summer of 2021 when she was approached by USA Hockey with the opportunity to bring the sport of Blind Hockey to the Philadelphia area. Fast forward to March of 2022 and the first Try Hockey event was held at the Flyers practice rink in Voorhees, NJ. Over 50 athletes were registered to attend the 6 events, scheduled from March to May. Volunteers from the Flyers Alumni and Flyers Youth Teams as well as family and friends were on and off-ice guides for the participants.
That Spring, Philadelphia Blind Hockey became a non-profit 501C3 and the 19th Blind Hockey team in the United States. In October 2022, with 6 registered participants the first full season of Philadelphia Blind Hockey was held at Laura Sims Skate House in Philadelphia. During the season, teams from the Flyers Cup joined the team as volunteers. It’s a partnership that has helped Philadelphia Blind Hockey grow and give their players a chance to participate in their championship game puck drops.
In the summer of 2023, more Try Hockey events were held at Hatfield Ice. The team grew to 8 for the 2023-2024 season, that was held at the Hatfield Mini Rink in Colmar, PA. They had a continued partnership with the Flyers Cup and their teams volunteering as ice guides.
Kelsey hopes to continue the growth of Blind Hockey in the Tri-State area with adding an adult team for next season while continuing with the youth team.
Besides being the Executive Director/Founder of Philadelphia Blind Hockey, Kelsey coaches cheerleading at Wissahickon High School in Ambler, PA and for the OSB Huskies while serving on several committees at Overbrook.
email: PHLblindhockey@gmail.com
Rocco Bene, Vice President
Rocco Bene has worked in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis for over 10 years. He works with individuals who have autism in schools, in the community at job sites as well in the homes. Rocco graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He served as the Director of Special Olympics at his last agency running the day to day operations of the program. Individuals participated in soccer, swimming, track & field and basketball in several counties in New Jersey. In his spare time, Rocco enjoys working out and staying fit, skiing, golfing, running in obstacles races and half marathons. He is a diehard pro wrestling and Philadelphia sports fan as well as an avid Penn State Football and Manchester City soccer supporter.
Caroline Cacchio, Treasurer
Caroline Cacchio has been a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI) for 4 years. She currently teaches an academic high school classroom at Overbrook School for the Blind in West Philadelphia. Caroline graduated from Kutztown University in 2018 with her bachelor's in special education for Visual Impairments (birth-21 years)/Elementary Education (PreK-4th Grade). She has her masters degree in Special Education from West Chester University. Caroline coaches the cheerleading team at Overbrook School for the Blind.
Nicole Athey, Secretary
Coaches Representative: Craig Fagioli
Team Development/ Outreach Coordinator: Jacquelyn Fagioli
Equipment Manager: Jay Athey and Dan McCrossin
Fundraising Chairperson: Kelly McGuire
Volunteer Coordinator: Katelin Abdallah
Coaches
Gritty Glidders (17 and younger):
Craig Fagioli
Craig Fagioli is the father of Benjamin. Benjamin has Cortical Visual Impairment. Craig was excited to share his love of hockey with Benjamin on the ice with the Philadelphia Blind Hockey organization and honored to be a coach. Craig has been playing hockey since the age of 5. His hockey career gave him the opportunity to play in Canada and Finland. He obtained his USA Hockey referee certification and he refereed during high school. Craig played a year of collegiate hockey for Neumann University. Previously, Craig has coached for the Haverford Hawks, Lower Merion, and Monsignor Bonner. Philadelphia Blind Hockey has provided a wonderful opportunity for his son to play hockey, and his goal is to make the sport enjoyable and educational for all the players. He hopes the program continues to grow!
Anna Devine
Anna Devine is a Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, and general sports enthusiast. She has experience coaching and organizing various adaptive sports and is looking forward to trying out her coaching skills on the ice!
Kateline Abdallah
Ever since I started playing ice hockey, I’ve always made it my goal to make a difference in my hockey community and make the sport more accessible for everyone. Along with Philadelphia Blind Hockey, I also help out on the ice with the Wings Of Steel Sled Hockey Team based out of Philadelphia! Along with volunteering, I’m currently employed at the Flyers Training Center, so be sure to say hello if you stop by! Outside of the hockey world, I’m a student at Cherokee High School in South Jersey where I’m heavily involved in many extra curricular activities. I currently serve on the Advisory board for Renaissance, Students Movements Against Cancer and Student Council, helping make an impact in my school community! I also play a significant part of leading my schools initiative for diversity and inclusion, while serving as a Peer Leader, and a participant in the ADL’s No Place For Hate Program! I also had the honor to participate in the 2022 HOBY Leadership Ambassador Seminar representing Cherokee, to join together with others and help make a difference! Even in my South Jersey Community, I also take up many initiatives as I volunteer with MRC’s Sports Unity, where I help teach children with disabilities the value of sports, teamwork and how to excel at different sports. I enjoy inspiring them and helping them reach their full potential! I enjoy serving in my community and expressing the importance of community service and volunteering! Can’t wait to see everyone on the ice!
Becks Beyer
Becks going into my 28th season in hockey, growing up in New Jersey playing for teams such as the Philadelphia Little Flyers and Princeton TigerLillies. As an adult she has played in DC and the Philadelphia area, currently with the Lady Patriots. Becks has been lucky enough to coach in the past with both the Patriots and the TigerLillies. Her introduction to blind hockey came through and opportunity with Overbrook School for the Blind in 2019 and was so excited when Kelsey took over the initiative and immediately reached out to help. Unfortunately she was injured at the time and could not be on the ice. Happy to say Becks is now on the ice and ready to put her years of knowledge to use! In her personal time, she is an avid reader, and typically has at least 3 books she is in the middle of. Becks enjoys being outside and will take any opportunity to be in nature. She loves to help and grow others, helping others find strength in themselves is truly a passion for her. Becks is so excited for this season to work with the youth team. She look forward celebrate all the victories both personal and team related that will be achieved this season. Please say hi and ask any questions you may have!!
Craig Coccia
Alexis Matlack
Dan McCrossin
Greetings! My name is Dan McCrossin. When Coach Craig asked me to volunteer over the past year. On some level, I had a feeing that this invite was going to be a special opportunity to reconnect with this amazing sport in a way that would reignite my passion again for hockey outside of playing. But like many unknowns in life, we never fully understand what a gift you have been given till you render the experience that unfolds from it. Reuniting with Craig again after coaching with him in my 20’s was a thrill in of itself and to be part of his son Ben’s world has been truly a blessing.
Hockey is unlike any other sport. it is a sport that revolves and thrives off of the strength of community. After being a part of this amazing sport since the age of 5. There is no other place that i would rather be than the growing community of blind hockey that exists here in my hometown of the Philadelphia area. It is an honor and pleasure to have this opportunity to help educate and cultivate a fun environment for all the kids involved in the Philly Blind Hockey communtity. Who would have thought that after being an assistant manager helper in my early teens with the long extinc Philadelphia Bulldogs of the RHI would lead me to become the co-equipment manager of the Gritty Gliders. You just never know where your journey is going to take you!
Jay Athey
Lanni Crozier, Junior Coach
Matthew Wool, Junior Coach
The Breakaways (18 and Up):
Raichel Barzilay
Raichel Barzilay is a Recreational Therapist who works at The Barn at Spring Brook Farm which is a wheelchair accessible farm for children with disabilities. She learned how to ice skate at 3 years old and has been playing ice hockey since she was a small child. Raichel retired from ice hockey in 2015 and became a USAH ice hockey official. Raichel is also a goalball referee for the Blind Sports Organization. She is so excited to bring hockey to players who may not have had the opportunity to play before!
Joe Seher
Joseph Seher is an army veteran that currently plays center and defense for the Philadelphia Flyers Warriors. After Joseph’s return home from the Army he attended a camp with Canadian Hockey Enterprise coached by NHL All-Star Steve Larmor and Paul Crowley. Joseph and his teammates are the current tier 1 national champions of the warrior hockey division coached by NHL legend Brad Marsh. Joseph spent 7+ years coaching and training youth soccer where he placed an emphasis on scaffold teaching and skill development for young athletes. Joseph is an upbeat coach that enjoys sharing his love for the game with his passion for teaching the game. Every accomplishment begins with a decision to try!!!
Brandon Traister
Brandon Traister is an 39 years old vet from Marlton NJ. He graduated from Cherokee High School in 2001 and has served in the US Army Infantry from 2002 to 2008. Brandon has been a paramedic since 2009. He started playing ice hockey in 2011 for the Camden County Warriors. Brandon has worked as a flight paramedic for Cooper University Hospital in Camden, NJ since 2018. He recently joined the Flyers Warriors in 2021. Brandon also graduated from Excelsior College in Albany, NY and became a registered nurse in 2021. Brandon has 3 children: Adam, Madison and Ryan.