Meet the Staff
Samantha Lewis grew up in West Hartford, spending hours on the Mandell JCC basketball courts as a child. After devoting five years as the Sports & Recreation Director at the JCC in Providence, RI and the Katz JCC in Cherry Hill, NJ, Sam is excited to return home as the co- Director of the new Mandell JCC Valley Sports & Community Center in Canton. She is eager to share her wealth of knowledge and experience, from kids’ sports classes and camps, to sponsorships and rentals, to youth and adult basketball leagues. Before coming to the JCC world Sam worked in sales and marketing for the New Britain Rock Cats, New York Giants and New York Mets. Sam is thrilled to hit the ground running and make the JCC feel like a second home for the residents of the Valley community. Sam manages court rentals, corporate sponsorships, and coaches youth classes.
Brenna Evans, Co-Director, attended UCONN and graduated from Central Connecticut State University. She spent four years at the former Valley Sports Center in Canton where she served as the youth programs coordinator and coached preschool sports classes. Brenna has also worked at Roots Gymnastics in Westfield, MA. as the the office manager and preschool coach. She lives in Collinsville, just minutes away from the Mandell JCC Valley Sports & Community Center and is thrilled to be back at the Valley location which feels like a second home to her.
Brenna manages day to day operations of the facility, schedules birthday parties, and coaches preschool classes.
Tim Putnam, Sports Director, grew up and currently resides in Windsor Locks. A former high school varsity and collegiate athlete, Tim brings his love for the game of basketball to the Valley along with his overall passion for all sports! Tim coaches youth classes, manages youth and adult leagues, and offers individual/small group basketball training.
Brenna Evans, Co-Director, attended UCONN and graduated from Central Connecticut State University. She spent four years at the former Valley Sports Center in Canton where she served as the youth programs coordinator and coached preschool sports classes. Brenna has also worked at Roots Gymnastics in Westfield, MA. as the the office manager and preschool coach. She lives in Collinsville, just minutes away from the Mandell JCC Valley Sports & Community Center and is thrilled to be back at the Valley location which feels like a second home to her.
Brenna manages day to day operations of the facility, schedules birthday parties, and coaches preschool classes.
Tim Putnam, Sports Director, grew up and currently resides in Windsor Locks. A former high school varsity and collegiate athlete, Tim brings his love for the game of basketball to the Valley along with his overall passion for all sports! Tim coaches youth classes, manages youth and adult leagues, and offers individual/small group basketball training.
