On March 1, SportsLife Leadership welcomed Ali Malaekeh to its growing staff as Director of Partnerships. Malaekeh brings nearly 50 years of experience in athletics as a player and coach, including his current role as a USSF A licensed head coach of the So Cal Eagles in the Women’s Premier Soccer League. His extensive background positions him perfectly for this strategic leadership role.

Like SportsLife’s Chief Leadership Officer Jimmy Page, Malaekeh is a Jon Gordon certified speaker. He also served five years under Page’s leadership of the FCA West Division as a campus representative and collegiate director, establishing a strong professional relationship that would ultimately lead to this opportunity.

“Our paths have crossed for many years,” Page said. “When the opportunity came up for him to merge his leadership skills with his focus on ministry and specifically develop partnerships for content within SportsLife Leadership, it was such a natural fit.”

Malaekeh has spent much of the past decade focused on collegiate ministry. He has served as a chaplain for the UC Irvine baseball team and as a leadership and mental performance coach at Cal State Fullerton for women’s soccer, softball, and track and field. His responsibilities have extended to the athletic department and academic services, giving him comprehensive experience across collegiate athletics.

One of his most meaningful roles has been his nine years as chaplain for the UCI men’s baseball team. Earlier this spring, Malaekeh reaped the fruits of his discipleship efforts when 12 athletes and a trainer were baptized—a powerful testament to his spiritual impact.

“Ali is a disciple maker. He is known as someone who evangelizes people who then come to faith, get baptized, and walk with the Lord.” – Jimmy Page

Much of Malaekeh’s desire to reach the sports world with the Gospel stems from his personal testimony. Born in Iran and raised in Austria, where his family sought political asylum, he grew up in a culturally Muslim home. During his high school years, he set off on a quest to experience what the world had to offer.

“From the time I left for the U.S. to attend college until the age of 36, I was trying to find myself, but I ended up losing myself,” Malaekeh said. “In the process, I caused considerable damage—not only to myself but also to the people around me.”

In 2003, God’s grace saved Malaekeh through faith in Jesus, marking the moment when the Lord turned his heart toward the broken world of sports. Drawing parallels to Scripture, he explained his passion for this work.

“It was like when Paul looked at the nation of Israel in Romans 9 and said he would be willing to be cut off from Christ if it meant they could know God,” Malaekeh said.

“I desperately want to point people to the abundant life that comes through faith in Jesus, specifically in discipleship and leadership development.” – Ali Malaekeh

Malaekeh has transformed his post-conversion experiences into a book titled “Veritas,” which serves as a discipleship template for teams and individuals. This resource reflects his systematic approach to leadership development.

“When I was coaching at the collegiate level, I was well-versed in the X’s and O’s, but I never had a systematic framework for leadership development and mental performance,” he said. “Over time, the Lord revealed what that looks like from a biblical perspective. Coming alongside people and sharing that information brings joy to my life.”

As Director of Partnerships, Malaekeh will implement biblically aligned perspectives from leadership experts and values-based organizations aimed at discipling and mentoring global sports leaders. He will leverage his established leadership labs at UCI and Cal State Fullerton to test these materials in real-world environments.

“This is where I believe the Lord has called me. I’m jumping into the deep end to understand and serve others on their spiritual journey.” – Ali Malaekeh