The self-proclaimed “One & Only” Nallely Palafox (pronounced Nayelee) has been coaching our Hollenbeck PAL Soccer kids for over 5 years. She has a pre-teen who also plays in the program, and previously was a goalie for Roosevelt High School. Nallely’s unique and commanding style was evident from the moment we met her in 2016 when she showed up at the park looking for a league to sign up her son Christopher. Nallely exclaimed, “Hi my name is “The One and Only” Palafox! Right then and there we knew she was a special lady. If you ask players and parents why they call her “The One and Only” the most common answer is that she brings a no-nonsense style to her coaching. “It’s like watching a general on the field”, one parent told us.

Not only does Nallely serve as a coach but she also is a team leader and liaison reminding coaches about training sessions, and she advocates for the kids and parents. Another thing parents appreciate about Coach Nallely is that not only being a single parent but a mom, makes her special. “We think it’s priceless for the girls in our program to see a woman coach and a woman coach who is one of the best coaches in the league at that!”, one parent told us. Nallely who was a goalie for Roosevelt High School, has made a huge impact on our community and to local sports. Our soccer program is about the community coming together, teaching and mentoring our kids to make this little part of the world a better place. That’s why our motto is “It takes a village!”