Candace Cooper-Murray - Director & Co-Founder
peacepassersinfo@gmail.com
(954) 649-9175
Born and raised in the sunshine state, Candace moved from Gainesville, Florida and followed the calling north to pursue a soccer scholarship at Queens University of Charlotte. While at Queens she played 4 years of college soccer and graduated in 2003 with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. In 2008 she completed a Masters Degree in Health Administration. Candace is currently working full-time in Community Development with the YMCA of Greater Charlotte and serving as a Community Health Nurse to newcomer Latino families in East Charlotte. On any given night of the week, Candace can most likely be spotted playing Co-ed and Women’s soccer at one of the many local Charlotte soccer pitches. Cleverly disguised as a working professional, she is also known for choosing adventure over safety by traveling to various countries around the world focusing her free time on global service work. Inspired by the mix of people and experiences she has encountered, Candace and the Peace Passers team recognize the game of soccer as a way to generate peace, happiness, and positive social connections among people from across the globe. The founding and growth of this organization is a raw example of a small group of friends & family putting a vision into reality.
“Those who have been required to memorize the world as it is will never create the world as it might be”- Judith Groch
Caleb Cooper - Co-Founder
coopcaleb@gmail.com
(352) 474-0989
Caleb grew up in the same household as HermanaCoop, and quickly found his sister to be a worthy competitor in many of the neighborhood sports, including soccer. Coop then followed the call of mother ocean to Flagler College where he received a soccer scholarship while joining a handful of incoming international freshman, including one crazy Irishman. Two years later, a couple of fellow peace passers made their presence felt by linking up for a crucial goal in the regional final and paved the way for an unforgettable season. This move to St. Augustine’s soft sandy beaches and playful waves has led to a life changing relationship with one of nature’s most treasured assets. His love for the ocean has taken him through adventures down in the powerful swells of the Pacific. He then stuffed used soccer balls in his board bag and saw the joy that it brought to the ninos when they received a gift from a perfect stranger. Known to have many aliases in the UF soccer league in Gainesville, Coop has continued to play the world’s game. Truly inspired by the diverse cultures he has witnessed, along with his fellow PazPassers, this ’soul rebel’ hopes to spread the message of one love to the people he will encounter in the indefinite future.
Scott Herlihy - Co-Founder
Please email Scott for all website related inquiries
scottyherlihy@gmail.com
(904) 814-9325
Scott was born in Swindon, England, where football is a way of life. When he moved to the United States he had to overcome a language barrier, because the game he knew and loved was called soccer, not football. Once in America, Ian and Sean became fellow soccer teammates. His English roots are close too him, as he keeps up with Tottenham Hotspurs Football Club. Scott received a Soccer scholarship at Flagler College and played alongside fellow Peace Passers Coop and Sean. A Flagler College Graduate, Scott now resides in St. Augustine, Florida.
“Life is a Game; Football is Life”
Sean Frye - Co-Founder
seanyfrye@gmail.com
(901) 262-9371
By the age of 11 Sean lived on 3 continents including Africa and Australia. He started playing soccer at age 5 and could always rely on the game to bring new friendships despite cultural differences. He moved to Collierville, TN when he was 12 where he played alongside fellow PeacePassers, Scott and Ian. He played his college soccer with Scott and Coop at Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL where he currently resides. There he discovered surfing and a new found love and respect for something other than soccer. In 2003, Sean made his first trip to Central America where he was immediately captivated by the Latin American culture and lifestyle. The game of Soccer has given Sean many opportunities and he hopes PeacePassers will provide those same opportunities to others around the world through love for “The World’s Game”.
Ian Guthrie
iguthrie59@gmail.com
Ian was born and raised in Memphis Tennessee. Playing the world’s game football or other wise known as soccer since the age of 5; naturally he has carried the game with him in his life and travels. Ian grew up playing division 1 soccer in Memphis and later joined the Tennessee ODP team for a couple of years. Ian and fellow Peace Passers Scott and Sean at the ages of 11 joined the same soccer team in Memphis and years later are now apart of the most important team that anyone could join. Ian like other Peace Passers comes from a family that has soccer as the sport of choice, his mother’s family moved to the States from Guatemala in July of 1957. Being from a family of Central America, Ian has made a number of quests through the desirable countries neighboring Guatemala. Through each trip he has seen the conditions of the way of life for these beautiful people. Now knowing that a simple ball can bring such effervescence not only to a single person’s life but also to a community, he and his fellow Peace Passers felt an obligation to spread this throughout Central America.