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Winning With
Mission360
Next level tactics to optimize amateur sports performance
From the beginning it has been our collective “Mission” at M360 to optimize the youth sports experience for players, coaches, and families. With the assistance and direction of the consummate professionals that make up our Advisory Team, we are working toward that goal by helping youth organizations improve their development from every angle and at every level. From optimizing player training, to enhancing coach development, and even to encouraging organizational growth, we are relentless in our own pursuit of excellence, as well as the excellence of our program participants.
Relationships with parents, players, coaches, and communities are the keystone of M360’s approach to improving youth sports. We are also genuinely committed to the development of select coaching prospects who are talented, ambitious, and possess the kind of growth mindset that will drive them to apply, and improve on, the M360 approach with every program.
Mission360 is also committed to staying up to date with current research and data trends while staying grounded in the fundamentals of teaching, training, leading, mentoring. We understand and respect the balance between technology and performance metrics and properly utilizing these metrics and data to aid in the development of both players and coaches. By staying focused and dedicated to personal growth and development in all aspects, Mission360 will help all individuals maximize their human potential and advance your organization to new heights. WIN with Mission360!
Become a better athlete. Become a better coach. Become better… Mission360!
Humility
Recognizing there is something positive you can learn from everyone you meet and having the humbleness to accept that gift.
Industriousness
A recognition, acceptance, and dedication to the hard work and grind it takes to accomplish great things.
A commitment to continually embrace and promote a Learn – Grow – Evolve mentality both personally and professionally.
Growth Mindset
Our Core
Values

Integrity
Having the courage to do the right thing even when it is difficult and unpopular.
Transparency
A promise of honest communication in every personal and professional interaction or relationship.
Fostering Relationships
The perspective that nurturing genuine relationships sets the foundation of any successful organization.
Our Core
Values

Growth Mindset
Committed to the continuing process of always learning, growing, evolving in personal and professional development. Viewing successes as validation of improvement and failure as opportunities to learn.
Integrity
Expecting and maintaining honesty and rectitude in all activities, programming, and communications with all stakeholders including parents, coaches, student athletes, and community.
Transparency
Offering an open and honest dialogue allowing for clarity of messaging, everyone to know where they stand, required expectations.
Humility
Remaining grounded in our roots and never forgetting that Ego is an enemy that has prevented many from achieving their “potential.”
Industriousness
Maintaining an unparalleled and diligent work ethic to help all student athletes and coaches maximize their God given talents, skills, and abilities.
Fostering Relationships
Developing strong and trustworthy relationships with all families and within all communities.
Business Leadership
Model
An in depth look at our DNA including the driving forces and important tenets that allow Mission360 to continue to Learn, Grow and Evolve.
Our Team
Leadership

Aaron Nieckula
President & Founder

Tom Nelson
Senior Vice President & Founder
Advisory team

Brandon Buck
Director of Personal & Organizational Growth & development

DR. Marc Strickland
DIRECTOR OF MENTAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Dr. Shaun Neitzel

Dr. Hui
DIRECTOR OF BIOMECHANICS & PHYSICAL TRAINING

Jack Cecil
DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY & ANALYTICS

Dr. Suzanne Nelson
DIRECTOR OF NUTRITION

Scott Emerson
DIRECTOR OF PITCHING

Adam Rosales
Director Of Hitting

Veronica Alvarez
DIRECTOR OF CATCHING TRAINING

Darren Fenster
Director of Infield Training

lLoyd Turner
DIRECTOR OF OUTFIELD TRAINING

Rodney Lopez
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Events
TRAining programs
The origin of personal growth and development starts with great training… the kind that defines one’s purpose, goals, and strategies combined with pristine execution.
Private /
Semi-Private
● 1-2 athletes
● Options: 6, 12, 18 sessions
● 40 minutes per training session
● Video analysis (2 & 3 star instructor only)
● Written reviews
● Weekly “homework” assignments
Small Group
● 3-6 athletes
● Options: 6, 12, 18 sessions
● 60 minutes
● Video analysis (2 & 3 star instructor only)
● Written reviews
● Weekly “homework” assignments
Clinics
● 7-20 athletes
● Option: 6 weeks
● 90 minutes
● Video analysis (Week 1 & 6)
● Weekly “homework” assignments
Camps
● 21+ athletes
● Coach/Athlete ratio: 1/10
● Option: 1-3 days
● 2+ hours
● Video analysis
● Written review
Coaches
Clinics
Coming Soon!
Specialized
Programming
Available upon request
Trends
& Insights
Monthly
Newsletter
In the Community
Pro Tip of the Month
Advisory team Contributions
Leadership Academy
SIGN UP
For Players
For coaches
For Parents
Learn ★
Grow ★
Evolve ★
ARE YOU READY?

Training Programs
Aaron Nieckula
Aaron is the current Field Manager and Director of Baseball Operations for the Joliet Slammers of Frontier League. Prior to his position with the Slammers, Aaron was a member of the Oakland Athletics Player Development system. Previous roles included hitting coach, manager, and most recently Field Coordinator which included coordinating, managing, and leading all on-field activity for minor league Spring Training, Extended Spring Training, Arizona Summer League, and the fall Instructional League. An additional component to his position includes helping lead and manage the A’s minor league leadership development program for staff and players.
After graduating from Fenwick High School in Oak Park, IL, Aaron attended the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign majoring in Communications and playing baseball for hall of fame coach Richard “Itch” Jones. Drafted in the 22nd round as a catcher by the Athletics in 1998, Aaron played 5 minor league seasons, four with the A’s and one with the San Francisco Giants, reaching the Triple A level.
After his playing career, Aaron began coaching in 2004 within the minor league system of the Athletics. Starting as a hitting coach for the Kane County Cougars, Aaron began his managerial career in 2006, managing the Cougars. He went on to manage at various levels, the highlight being when his team the Midland Rockhounds, won the Double A Texas League Championship in 2014. He credits his tremendous coaching staff and phenomenal players including current A’s third baseman Matt Chapman and current Dodger’s infielder Max Muncy, in securing the Championship. Subsequently, he was promoted to a hybrid role of Field Coordinator and manager of the Vermont Lakemonters, New York Penn League affiliate of the Athletics. After holding this position for 5 years, Aaron was promoted to full time Field Coordinator, a position he strongly felt aligned with his professional goals and ambitions. Throughout his tenure as a professional coach, he has assisted many players in achieving their dream of playing in the Major Leagues.
After coaching for 10 seasons and realizing the significant importance and impact that effective leadership has in not only developing players, coaches, and leading teams, but also in driving an organization to excellence, Aaron chose to earn a Master’s degree and enrolled at Lewis University studying Organizational Leadership. Graduating in 2016, Aaron understands the importance of a growth mindset and that the learning process is ongoing and considers himself a devout student of athletics, leadership, and maximizing human potential. One of Aaron’s favorite quotes by Matshona Dhliwayo, “A Lifelong learner is a lifelong winner,” embodies what he feels is an essential component to achieving personal excellence.
Additionally, Aaron has been offering private baseball and softball instruction for youth in the Chicago area since 1998. Entering his 23rd year of instruction, he thoroughly enjoys the privilege of coaching amateur athletes. Focusing his instruction on what he calls the “what & why” principle, Aaron explains what it is the athlete is working on and why it’s important and the benefits it will have on his/her skill development. He has also dedicated his instruction to developing both the athletic and mental skills of every athlete with whom he works. Devoted and committed to the learning
process, Aaron is focused on integrating his professional experiences and dedication to personal growth and development to Mission360.
A current resident of Yorkville, IL, Aaron thoroughly enjoys spending time with his family. A father to 3 beautiful girls, Ariyana, Hailey and Trinity, he and his wife Renee both enjoy the outdoors, birdwatching, exercising, reading, and cooking.
Tom Nelson
After missing his senior season due to a broken foot sustained playing varsity basketball for Glenbrook South HS, Tom’s baseball playing career ended quickly and unceremoniously.
It wasn’t until the following spring while attending Illinois State University that the kind of positive impact that disappointing experience would later have on his life became clear. During a walk back from school to his dorm on a warm spring afternoon, Tom decided to sit in the bleachers and watch the Redbirds baseball team practice. At that moment, quietly watching those players work through their drills, he realized, “that could have been me down there.”
Instead of reliving the disappointment of the previous spring, he decided right then that somehow in the future he would dedicate himself to helping young players never miss their chance to play college baseball and beyond.
The fulfillment of that commitment took a while to get started, but with the birth of his son in 2002, Tom began the schooling and preparation for a coaching and training journey that continues today. Driven with that same passion born on those bleachers, he now works tirelessly to do everything he can to help any ball player with the desire and goal to reach that next level.
Tom has coached youth baseball now for 12 years for organizations like St Charles Boys Baseball, Illinois Lightning, Aurora Aces, Northern Illinois Reds, and now Illinois Hawks Baseball. Primarily focusing on Infield play and hitting, he has, to date, coached 4 D1, 5 D3, and 3 JUCO committed athletes.
However, more importantly than any accolades, during that period he’s spent countless hours (just ask his wife) studying the game with an unquenchable thirst to find and develop a holistic approach to teaching and training that touches on every aspect of the game. From breaking down the individual movements of the fielding process to develop better drills for infielders, to making agility ladders for players out of duct tape, to reading books and attending seminars on the mental side of hitting, Tom is continually working to improve his approach to help make sure none of his players are ever sitting in the stands thinking, “that could have been me down there.”
Tom currently lives in St Charles with his wife, Judy (ex all-state softball player), daughter Maggie who is a Junior Animal Studies student at the University of Missouri, and Cole a middle infielder preparing for his first year of college baseball at Oakton Junior College next fall.