MVP International is a highly trusted sports tour organization that brings impactful and memorable travel experiences to athletes, coaches, and their families.
An experience with MVP International is much more than your standard sports tournament designed solely for the athlete. It is a trip full of defining moments that come from sharing new travel experiences with family and friends in bucket list destinations, experiencing a new culture first hand, and feeling the pride and importance of being a high-character ambassador to the USA.
View MoreBy the time a child turns 18, the average parent will have already spent over 85% of the quality time they will ever get with their kid.
This staggering fact illuminates the importance of not letting our shrinking window of time with those we care about slowly slip through our fingers. This fact points to the importance of being intentional and proactive in utilizing the window of opportunity we have to build the pinnacle memories of our families lives, while we can.
We believe that filling your life with impactful moments with those you care about will ultimately be what leads to a fulfilling life.
We believe that shared unique experiences that push us out of our comfort zone and bring us to places we’d never imagine are the genesis of countless unforgettable moments that bring us closer together.
We believe that sports are much more powerful than just a game or an opportunity to compete at a high level. Sports are a metaphor for life. Sports hold the power to bring people together, from international communities of millions to local families of three.
At MVP International, it’s in our DNA to bring our clientele on adventures they’ll never forget that combine travel, sports, and shared cultural experiences in a way that simply nothing else can. These defining experiences are what enrich our lives and ultimately form the memories that we look back on for a lifetime.
A trip with us is more than a just tour, a tournament, or a vacation. It’s an investment in a deepened connection, an enriched world view, and most importantly, in fulfilling memories that will stay with you forever.
VIEW TRIPS
“This was one of the best vacations our family has ever had! And, we didn’t have to plan a thing”
“Nothing short of outstanding.”
We had such an amazing time on our trip! The people who were in charge and the people we traveled with were fantastic! The food, trips, and accommodations were awesome. Thank you so much!!
A tremendous effort by all the coordinators paid off with an excellent trip. We go to watch some great baseball, meet the local teams and see some fabulous scenery. The ship was well maintained, clean and comfortable. The crew made sure we were always satisfied.
We had a wonderful trip!! Memories that will last a lifetime. Had great experiences, met wonderful people and saw things I never dreamed we would!! Thanks for everything!! The MVP staff were great!!
We had a truly amazing time on this trip — just the right amount of baseball, planned sightseeing, and free time. Every detail of the program came off without a hitch. We cannot recommend this experience highly enough..
Another outstanding trip by MVP International! Fun options for free time. In fact there were too many good choices we had to split up and enjoy multiple side trips. The hotels were some of the best we’ve seen on these trips. As always the trip goes so fast but we love the people, seeing our boys representing the USA , and having them learn about new countries and cultures that will stay with them forever.
Our family had a fabulous time! The trip details were seamless, nothing was left to question, and it was clear as to where to go, what to do, what we needed to pay for on our own, etc. We made wonderful new friends and created memories of a lifetime. The trip and plans exceeded our expectations, and we have high standards! 🙂
We had a great time! The tours, free time and sight seeing was awesome. It was a wonderful opportunity for the young ladies; their exposure to to another culture that shared their love and passion for softball and to interact competitively and socially with them. It was as if they had always known them.
We thoroughly enjoyed this trip! Great activities, well planned and really had fun watching the many baseball games. We definitely would do another trip again.
There was never a dull moment. Everything was taken care from transportation, tours, and of course hockey. Our hosts were great and our trip advisor Eli was on top of everything. It was one of the best vacations we have had with plenty of hockey for my son as well..
What an amazing experience! My family and I are really grateful to MVP for planning an incredible, truely memorable trip. Picturesque locations, terrific accommodations in the heart of Copenhagen and downtown Stockholm and hockey wrapped together to provide the perfect venue for fun.
The experience was above and beyond what I ever could’ve expected. I’m very appreciative for what opportunities arose out of this trip.
I thought the trip overall was great. Very well planned and executed, the hotels were nice, the guides were excellent and entertaining and knowledgeable.
“The real gem was playing teams from other countries, meeting their families and being exposed to their traditions (especially the
food)! A trip that created lifetime memories”
“Once again our MVP International experience was amazing! This was our 4th trip and each one has been top notch and a memorable family experience. ”
“Our boys learned the game on a totally different level, beyond just the sport itself, but on a cultural level as well”
“The opportunity for families and others to travel together representing the USA, Tasting the local cuisines and absorbing the history added to the exceptional experience”
“These extraordinary vacations are among my favorite life experiences with my son”
“This was one of the best vacations our family has ever had! And, we didn’t have to plan a thing”
This was a fantastic trip. Both sons absolutely loved it, and before we got home from Puerto Rico, they were asking to do another MVP trip. Beautiful hotel, super fun group activities, lots of opportunities for excursions and free time, and a priceless baseball experience.
Another outstanding trip by MVP International! Fun options for free time. In fact, there were too many good choices we had to split up and enjoy multiple side trips. The hotels were some of the best we have seen on these trips. As always, the trip goes so fast but we love the people, seeing our boys represent the USA, and having them learn about new countries and cultures that will stay with them forever.
The experience was above and beyond what I ever could have expected. I am very appreciative for what opportunities arose out of this trip.
There was never a dull moment. Everything was taken care of from transportation, tours, and of course, hockey. Our hosts were great and our trip advisor Eli was on top of everything. It was one of the best vacations we have had with plenty of hockey for my son as well. The coaches and families we met were all really nice and we had some great experiences with them. I think this will be one of those “once in a lifetime” experiences my son will always have.
Our family had a fabulous time! The trip details were seamless, nothing was left to question, and it was clear as to where to go, what to do, what we needed to pay for on our own etc. We made wonderful new friends and created memories of a lifetime. The trip and plans exceeded our expectations, and we have high standards!
“We had heard how amazing these trips were … but even with all of the hype we were all happily surprised. It is hard to figure out how to do a better trip with a young teenager”
“Going on this trip was an eye opening experience. Being able to interact with other people from around the world who share a same common interest in a sport is something that is irreplaceable”
Check out what past travelers are saying about their experience!
What They’re Saying
We greatly appreciate all of the organizations who have partnered with us to help create memories that will last a lifetime!
Partners & Affiliates
MVP Baseball School, Primetime Baseball, SPI Soccer, Stu Vetter Basketball Camps, Vienna Sports, Arlington Softball, CEBF, Ashburn xtreme, Capital Hockey Academy, Reston Raiders, 4 Sports & Entertainment, TopHockey Sweden
Rich Stiehl is the Director of IT and Operations for MVP International. Rich is the essential guy behind the scenes that helps to make all of the moving pieces, technology, and infrastructure work smoothly. Rich is also the Director the MVP Baseball School where he runs the operations for hundreds of young ball players and 35+ teams. After decades in the corporate world managing large-scale IT projects, Rich enjoys being able to connect his passion for baseball, family, and travel with his professional skills. Rich and his family have been traveling with MVP International since 2015 when they went on their first trip to Central Europe. Their family has been one of the most well-traveled families in the MVP community as they have been on 8 trips including Central Europe, Spain, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, The Dominican, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean Cruise.
Eli’s background in international sports tours goes back to 2009. After going on back-to-back undefeated trips to the Dominican Republic and Italy under Coach Pudge, the travel bug had bit Eli and he was hooked. Eli went on to play Division I baseball at Lehigh University.
While there he majored in Finance with a minor in Spanish, and was also afforded the opportunity to do a semester abroad in Barcelona, Spain.
It was during that semester abroad that he re-connected with the MVP International team and slowly began to support the organization. Eli continued to work for MVP International part time as a senior at Lehigh University and became MVP International’s first full-time employee upon graduation in 2015. Since then Eli has helped grow the organization and currently oversees all enrollment operations and trip concepts.
Eli has developed a passion for traveling and the travel industry, which has led him to visit over 35 countries. Eli currently resides in Arlington, VA.
Jason “Coop” Conley is the Senior Vice President of the ABL. He began his college career at Virginia Military Institute where he was named Southern Conference Player of the year, Southern Conference Freshman of the year, and to the Southern Conference 1st Team. In 2002, Jason was the NCAA Scoring champion and became the First Freshman in NCAA History to Lead Country in Scoring. After transferring to Missouri in 2003, he was named to Big 12 All-Newcomer Team and Big 12 All-Academic Team.
After graduating with his bachelor’s degree from Missouri in 2005, Jason went on to a 13-year professional career in Europe. (Germany, Austria, Finland, and Romania) While in Europe, Jason was named an All-Star in multiple countries and won a championship.
Jason devotes his life to youth coaching and basketball skills development. Every summer, he takes youth teams to Europe, Asia, and South America to compete in international tournaments.
Having joined MVP International as a traveler many times in the past, O’Kelly brings a perspective that is highly valued by the MVP International Athletics team and organization.
O’Kelly advises US and international clients on a wide range of business and employment law matters. He has extensive experience handling employment aspects of M&A and other corporate transactions as well as employment disputes and compensation issues.
O’Kelly has collaborated with some of the world’s leading companies and emerging businesses to mitigate their risks and advance their business plans.
He also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Virginia Retirement System — a nearly $80 billion pension plan — and participates on its Benefits & Actuarial, Audit and Compliance, Defined Contribution Plan, and Administration and Personnel committees.
To help organizations manage employee relationships and reduce their liability, O’Kelly works with them to establish industry-specific employment policies and to provide board members and managers with compliance and employment training. He also conducts compensation audits to mitigate risks related to pay disparity issues.
Coach Pudge is known by both the Virginia High School Baseball community as well as the national baseball community for bringing a high level of energy, charisma, and absolute passion to the field, every single day. With decades of accomplishments, 2 State Championships, coach Pudge is currently the 4th winningest baseball coach in Virginia High School Baseball history with nearly 400 wins.
Coach Pudge’s story begins back in 2008, when Coach Pudge was given the opportunity to bring a local team abroad for a tournament. After much hesitation and some convincing by his supportive wife, Beth, Coach Pudge got his first taste of international baseball on a trip to Germany with some of the top players in the DMV area. After experiencing the eye-opening impact the game of baseball was having around the world, he was all-in.
Coach Pudge went on a few more trips before he started to brainstorm how he could share these experiences that were transforming not only his life, but also those of hundreds of athletes and families that were joining him on the trips, with more athletes. He had a vision to reach the lives of thousands across a variety of sports with these unforgettable escapades.
In 2012, Coach Pudge contacted now business partner, Matt Foley, to help turn his dream into a reality. While Coach Pudge handled the sports side of things, Foley handled the business side, and the partnership was formed. Since then, Coach Pudge has continued to share the vision with which he founded the company with hundreds of athletes from the DMV area and also directs all things related to baseball.
This thing is just getting started! Coach Pudge also operates MVP Baseball School, the MVP Terps, and MVP Summer Camp. He currently resides in Reston, VA with his wife, Beth, and 3 kids Samantha (20), Josh (18), and Trevor (14).
Matt played for Coach Pudge, graduating in 2003 and racking up a laundry list of awards, both in the JMHS record books as well as at the state level. After 4 successful years, 2 regional championships and a state championship at Madison, Foley went on to catch at Virginia Tech for 4 years.
Although Foley spent a few years in the corporate world, he was drawn back to the game as a coach, and he enjoyed staying connected to the baseball community. When he was approached by Coach Pudge in 2012 to form what is now MVP International Athletics, he saw it as an opportunity to further apply what he had learned in the corporate world in order to build something very special.
Since then, Foley has served as President of MVP International and oversees the business operations, which under his leadership runs smoothly.
Foley also has a focus in the real estate field and currently resides in Arlington, VA with his wife Meghan and 2 kids, Bryce (3) Blake (1).
Tonya attended travel school in VA and then worked in Virginia and Colorado, as a Leisure Travel Specialist, specializing in Disney, Caribbean and Hawaii. Tonya planned total vacation packages and enjoyed playing a major role in helping her clients turn their dreams into a reality, as well as help them create memories and friendships that would last a lifetime.
As a member of a military family, Tonya was afforded the opportunity of being stationed in several areas throughout the United States as well as overseas. She had the pleasure of being stationed in Italy for 3 years with her husband Bob and their two children, Makayla and Noah. They lived in Vicenza, which is about an hour west of Venice. While stationed in Italy, the family traveled throughout Europe and cruised the Mediterranean on several occasions. They did not return to the US until their three-year military assignment was complete because Europe had so much to offer and they wanted to take full advantage!
A few years later after returning to Virginia, Tonya and her family joined MVP International on the 2017 Germany Baseball Tour and had a blast! It was then that the MVP team realized she would be a great addition to the team.
Tonya absolutely loves to travel, meet new friends and to help others achieve their dreams…For all of these reasons and more, Tonya is an absolute perfect fit for MVP International!
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Tara became an avid sports fan at a young age. She went on to play softball and basketball in college while earning degrees in Business Management and Psychology. Her husband, Ryan, was in the Air Force for 9 years when they decided to settle in Northern Virginia with their three children, Marly, Kyle, and Tatum.
Tara has been active in her three children’s lives, managing sports schedules, school activities, and volunteering to coach various basketball and softball teams over the last 20 years. Tara met Coach Pudge while their son, Kyle, was in little league and quickly formed a relationship that has lasted over 10 years. MVP has been a major part of their lives, with Ryan coaching several teams, and Kyle playing for MVP and for Coach Pudge at Madison HS. Tara and her family have gone on five international trips to Germany, Italy, Puerto Rico (twice), and the Dominican Republic. The MVP International trips were such a unique experience and she is excited to join the team to help others have the same incredible experience!
Dana attended Penn State University where she received a bachelors’ degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management. She moved to the Washington DC area upon graduation and pursued a career with Hyatt Hotels. Having a strong desire to travel, Dana took a job as a Director with an Independent Meeting Planning Company and worked with Corporations and Associations to plan and facilitate their conferences ranging from 100 – 1500 attendees.
While taking time off from her career to raise three sons, Dana followed her new found passions of health and fitness and working with children. She has substituted for Arlington Public Schools since 2008 as well as held several volunteer roles gaining both community and state level recognition. These roles include being a member of the Arlington Public Schools Health Advisory Board, Whole Child Working Group and Healthy Community Action Team, serving a variety of board member roles on elementary and middle school PTA as well as Arlington Little League and being a member of the Action for Healthy Kids Tri-State Coalition. She was awarded Arlington Public Schools Volunteer of the Year award in 2016 and the Virginia Governors Outstanding Adult Volunteer award in 2018 for her efforts.
Navigating her own boys through the world of sports, she has witnessed first hand the amazing experiences, opportunities and lasting memories travel ball has given them. After taking an MVP trip with her family in 2019 to Italy, she realized she could fulfill all of her passions and she joined our team. She loves having the opportunity to engage in travel, sports & culture and to work closely with individuals, athletes and families to create moments they will never forget!
Jason is a native to Vienna, VA and is rooted in Youth and High School Baseball around the area. He has coached multiple travel, little league and high school teams and is currently an assistant varsity coach at Marshall High School in Falls Church, VA. He played for Coach Pudge in the mid 90’s and went on to George Mason University where he red-shirted for one season with the Patriots.
After college, Jason found himself working with a direct marketing company where he became an Account Manager handling day to day sales and reporting from multiple inbound and outbound call centers around the United States and Canada. He was in constant communication with high level clients ensuring their direct marketing campaigns were a success.
With a quick move to Roanoke, VA Jason became the Fly Fishing Technical Advisor for The Orvis Company. He spent his days on the phone giving customers product information and providing customer service and sales support. He learned the value of customer relations and the importance of building trust and confidence to ensure that each customer was treated with dignity and respect.
Eventually, Jason moved back to Northern Virginia accepting a retail position with Orvis. Within a few years he became the Fishing Manage at the Arlington, VA location. He built lasting relationships with customers that continue today. Jason’s passion for fly fishing has taken him across the United States and he has competed in several fishing competitions that were featured on the Outdoor Channel.
Jason is excited to join the MVP International team and provide customers the support needed to make their arrangements as stress free as possible.
Coach Simon Roberts brings decades of international hockey experience to the MVP International hockey program. As Director of Ice Hockey, Coach Roberts has brought international Ice Hockey opportunities to the DMV community. Along with being the bench boss of several Tier 1 hockey programs, including the Washington Little Capitals, he’s also also been involved with USA Hockey Player Development Camps and participated as an Affiliate coach with the NTDP.
With a background in Strength & Conditioning, coach Roberts also works with the Washington Capitals Player Development & Training camps.
Coach Roberts also grew up in various places around the world and brings a cultural tone to the program that is highly valued by the MVP team. Coach Roberts led his first tour with MVP International in 2018 to Central Europe with a group of 16u players and families. With the amazing experience gained, Coach Roberts has ambitiously contributed to bring new opportunities to the Ice Hockey community at large. Coach Roberts resides in Reston, VA with his wife Mary and their Son, Colin
Originally from Houston, Texas, Matt moved to Northern Virginia at the age of 7. He played 4 years of Varsity baseball at South Lakes High School earning 1st team all-district 3 times, 1st team all-region, 1st team all-state, and 2nd team all-met. From there, Matt went on to play 2 years of Junior College baseball at Chesapeake College before finishing out his final two years of baseball and academics at Roanoke College, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
During a gap year in his college journey, Matt served as an assistant coach at South Lakes. Since then, Matt has coached with the MVP Organization for the last 3 years, but has been helping out with camps and other baseball lessons for the past 5.
Matt’s passion for baseball has allowed him many possibilities that he never knew existed. During Summer 2019, he traveled as a Player/Coach on our inaugural Caribbean Cruise. Matt describes it as being “one of the best experiences he’s had in his entire life,” and that going on that trip made him “truly buy in to what is going on at MVP International,” and he couldn’t be happier to be a part of our team.
Samantha began interning with the MVP International team in the Spring of 2018. Samantha is currently a junior at James Madison University where she is also the Manager of the Dukes Baseball team. Samantha brings a unique perspective to the team as she has gone on these trips as a player, sibling, and a staff member.
Samantha is passionate about sports media and enjoys creating exposure for players and teams. Her role with the MVP team is quite versatile as she helps with daily needs ranging anywhere from administrative support, to social media, or even helping out with the team apparel.
Coach Stu Vetter brings decades of experience coaching, inspiring, and mentoring high school men’s basketball players at the highest level in the country.
Coach Vetter has been coaching for over 40 years. Few coaches have ever been able to bring such a passion for the game to so many.
In addition to graduating over 100 players who have become Division 1 student/athletes, nine of Coach Vetter’s players have gone on to play in the NBA, and many have gone on to coach at the High School and College level. Coach Vetter attends and takes a very hands-on approach and will be ensuring that all men’s basketball players are ready for the task of representing the USA internationally.
Having coached internationally several times, Coach Vetter knows exactly what it takes to represent the USA on the international stage. He brings a passion for connecting the world through basketball and has seen this impact personally as he has had a number of international players on his team over the years.
Eve Mendolia earned her BA in Theatre Arts from Hofstra University and her Master of Science in Early Childhood Education from Hunter College in NYC. She has been teaching for over 18 years and is currently teaching in Arlington Public Schools. She is currently the Montessori Public School of Arlington’s Teacher of the Year.
Tom is a long-time teacher for Fairfax County Public Schools. He is also the former Men’s Basketball Coach at McLean High School. Tom owns ‘Vienna Sports,’ which serves as a vendor for many different organizations, specializing in team sports apparel.
