Mike Mitchell, Founder and President

Mike Mitchell is a self-proclaimed rambler consumed with wanderlust.  He has lived on four continents - raised in the San Francisco Bay area, schooled in Galway, Ireland, worked in Africa and now settled in Paraty, Brazil.   Mike attributes his compassion for children and love of soccer to these life experiences.  Mike attended California State University, Chico where he received his Bachelors Degree in Physical Education and played for Chico State’s mens soccer team from 1977 to 1980. Selected for the United States University All-Star soccer team, he traveled throughout Africa in the summer of 1979.  After graduating, he joined the Peace Corp as a volunteer in Niger, West Africa.  There he played for Equipe Espoir (Team Hope) of Zinder one of the local men’s soccer team, becoming the only white man playing in the country.  In 1984, they won Niger National Championship for the first time.  Back in Chico, Mike received his Masters Degree in Physical Education and wrote his thesis outlining Project Play.   Mike went on to be the head coach at University of Southern Colorado (1991-93) and the Athletic Director and soccer coach for the varsity boy’s soccer team of Escola Americana de Campinas in Brazil (1994-98), which won the Sao Paulo championship for the 1st time in 1996.  Mike lives in Paraty, Brazil with his wife, Maristala, and son, Keegan and owns Body and Soul Adventures, an adventure and detoxification retreat.  Mike’s charisma and passion has been the inspiration that has made Project Play a reality.    

David Stahl, Co-founder and Managing Director

Dave Stahl, a real estate and business entrepreneur, is an owner and general manager of an indoor soccer arena, Off the Wall, in Chico California.   Born and raised in San Francisco, he received his Bachelors Degree in Accounting at California State University, Chico.  David played soccer for Chico State’s nationally ranked men’s soccer team from 1973 to 1976.  Dave was nominated for the prestigious Robert Hermann Award in 1975, and was drafted into the NASL playing professionally for Las Vegas Quicksilvers, Team Hawaii and Oakland Stompers.  Back in Chico, he completed his Masters in Business Administration and has been a steady influence in promoting soccer in his community since his return.   Founder of Chico Rooks professional soccer team and head coach (1993-2005), his team won the USASA National Open Cup Championship in 2004.  Today the Rooks Soccer Club continues to encourage youth soccer through training programs and soccer camps in conjunction with Off the Wall.   An avid traveler, David loves to immerse himself in new cultures and has traveled extensively through Europe, Central and South America and most recently, Africa.   In his travels, David has found soccer to be a unifying force and a great equalizer for cultural differences.  He believes we can make a difference with Project Play.   

Mario Sagastume, Treasurer

Born in Guatemala, Mario Sagastume moved to the United States in 1962 as a teenager.  He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1966 and did a 13-month tour of duty in Viet Nam.  After receiving an honorable discharge in 1969, Mario moved to San Francisco.  There he attended University of San Francisco and played soccer for the men’s soccer team.  Over the next 8 years, Mario played soccer for a number of first division soccer teams – Club Peru, Club Guadalajara, Hakkoah, and San Francisco Athletic Club - celebrating a number of championships including 1971 Northern California Champions, 1976 SF League Champions and National Amateur Champions. Moving to Chico, California in 1977, Mario completed his education and received his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from CSU, Chico in 1978.    Mario played for the Chico Challengers in the Sacramento Premier Division until the team dissolved in the mid-80s.  By then, a family man, Mario became involved in youth soccer.  He has been coaching youth teams for over 18 years, and is currently coaching elementary school indoor soccer teams.   Mario works as an accountant and credit manager for a local produce wholesaler and is an active board member of the Viet Nam Veterans of The Second Battalion, First Marine Regiment.  Mario lives in Chico with his wife.  He has four grown children and six grandchildren.   Mario’s long time association with the founders and philosophies about volunteerism drew him to Project Play.

Jana Stahl Tomasello, Marketing Director

Jana Tomasello joined Project Play in December 2008 bringing more than two decades of sales and marketing experience to the organization.  Raised in San Francisco, she received her Bachelors Degree in Computer Science from California State University, Chico.  She launched her career with positions at Hewlett Packard and Arthur Anderson Consulting. Jana worked at Intel Corporation for twenty-three years where her positions and responsibilities included strategic planning, brand positioning, product launches, promotions and large-scale marketing programs and events.   Jana’s spirit of adventure and passion for travel has taken her to all corners of the world for business and leisure.  Since retiring in 2006, Jana has had plenty of time to pursue her pastimes – traveling, running and snowboarding.  Born into a soccer family, she claims to have been raised on the sidelines at her brothers’ games – both of whom were collegiate and professional players.   Jana lives in El Dorado Hills, California with her husband Ray and teenage son, Matthew.  Jana is deeply committed to the simplicity of our cause and the impact Project Play can make in the lives of children in Africa.