(January 17, 2025 | Peoria, Illinois) – Peoria native Hailey Parungao has been named the first General Manager and Technical Director of Peoria City’s Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) franchise.
Parungao joins Peoria City from the University of Illinois, where she worked as Director of Operations for the Fighting Illini women’s soccer team the last three seasons. She also served as the Youth National Teams Administrator for U.S. Soccer from 2019-20.
“It is an incredible honor to be named the General Manager and Technical Director of Peoria City’s WPSL team,” said Parungao. “Growing up, opportunities like this team did not exist, so to see the growth of the game in my hometown is inspiring. I am proud to be part of this historic moment and look forward to building a team that will inspire the next generation of players and fans in Peoria and beyond. Go Carp!”
Parungao was the event and player services coordinator for the Girls Academy League from 2021-2023 and was the assistant coach for both men and women’s soccer teams at Illinois Central College for two seasons. She has been the head soccer coach at Morton Premier Soccer Club/Morton United Football Club since 2019, coaching the 2011, 2009 and 2008 girls.
“Hailey possesses a diverse skill set across multiple platforms that uniquely qualify her to serve as both our General Manager and Technical Director,” said Jim DeRose, Peoria City President and Managing Partner. “Her experience as a player, coach and within the operational and organizational structures of the United States Soccer Federation and its National Teams, the developmental academy, IMG and in Division I and the Big Ten, has provided her with an incredible scope of responsibility and development that we believe will be a tremendous benefit as we launch our WPSL franchise. As a native of central Illinois, Hailey has a great passion and vision for how the club will benefit our community through engagement and growth initiatives.”
Receiving her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, sports management and marketing from Indiana University, Parungao also earned a master’s degree in education in sports administration from the University of Miami.
Parungao was a four-year varsity starter at Peoria Notre Dame and played for the Sporting Futbol Club from 1999-2007, while also playing in the John Gaspar Soccer Academy from 2007-2013. She was a four-time all-sectional honoree and a two-time Peoria Journal Star Top 11.
Peoria City season tickets are now on sale! Head to peoriacitysoccer.com/tickets for ticket packages.
#UpTheCarp
