Derek Kopec

Originally from Bethpage, New York, Derek Has lived in north central Florida on and off since 2005. After receiving a football scholarship to Bethel University in Tennessee and finishing up his Elementary Education A.A. at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, he found employment in Germany teaching English to and helping raise the youth. A year and half later, the sunny skies of Florida were calling him back and he’s happily lived here since. He has been working for The Villages Recreation & Parks since 2025. In that time, he’s enjoyed helping softball and every other sport The Villages has to offer, although being able to help residents learn new-to-them sports and seeing the comradery grow alongside their skills is his favorite part of being a part of Recreation & Parks.