In Loving Memory

Luis Alberto Herrera (Coach Lou) was born on Thursday, June 25, 1970 in the Castle Hill section of the Bronx.  He was educated at PS 138, PS 174, PS 131 and Adlai E. Stevenson HS, where he was always the class comedian.  His favorite catchphrase was, "DasWassup"!

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Lou worked as a Senior Buyer at New York Presbyterian Hospital for many years.  He played on the hospital’s basketball team and his love of basketball inspired him to create the “Give and Go” basketball program in the Bronx, where he provided a safe space for young men to play their favorite sport.  It was this experience with Give and Go that birthed a desire to create more programs for youth, both in the community he grew up in and the one he raised his family in.  Inspired by his wife's career of coaching girls (called the "SoulDeevas"), it was his dream to coach a boys’ basketball team which he wanted to name the "SoulGentz". This is how SoulPhamm was born - a vision to provide engaging and unique sports and arts programs for kids.

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Though both native New Yorkers, Coach Lou and Mz. Doc made their lives in Rahway, New Jersey and were known in the town by the names "Peanut Butter" (Coach Lou) and "Jelly" (Mz. Doc).  They enjoyed a tight-knit sense of community, which is the hallmark of SoulPhamm.  Their lives were marked by laughter, faith and great peace and their prayer was always that the young people of SoulPhamm would know that same sense of community, belonging, inclusion and joy.

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​​Coach Lou went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 23rd, 2021, leaving us to celebrate his life and legacy!  Rest easy Coach!