Monthly Archives: January 2009

NSCAA 2009 St Louis: All-Americans

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NSCAA St Louis 2009: All-AmericansNSCAA St Louis 2009: All-Americans

The largest event of the convention from what I understand is the All-American Luncheon, held the final day full day of the event. Springfield was represented today by Patrick Carver (Emory 2009, Parkview 2005) who was recognized for the second straight year as a 1st Team All-American. He’s pictured on the left above along with his College Coach Sonny Travis and his teammate, Marc Del Marmol, who was a 2nd Team All-American. Coach Sonny Travis was named the NSCAA/ Adidas NCAA Division III South Region Coach of the Year for 2008 as well. Patrick and Marc helped lead the Eagles to one of the most successful seasons in the program’s history in 2008, as the squad claimed its first University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship since the 1998 season, advanced in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time since the 1988 season, and matched a program record with 16 wins during the campaign.

Patrick scored 13 goals this year, with 7 assists for 33 points. He finished his career with 50 goals, 29 assists and 129 total points in 72 games. He started every game as a junior and senior and has future plans in the game of soccer that I’m looking forward to enjoying.

By the way, the second photo is of Lori Chalupny who was on stage to congratulate each of the winners today and this young man, who was recognized as an NCCAA All-American, did what I think many of them would like to have done – he got a photo with St Louis’ National team hero and pride of Nerinx Hall. There are hundreds of stories like these and I got to share in a couple.

I came late to the Hall Saturday afternoon and found a table in the back that had an open seat. Turns out I was sharing it with Coach Rachel Bostick and her two All-Americans, Bri Rodriguez and Vanessa DiBernardo. Waubonsie Valley (Aurora, IL) finished with a 26-0-1 record and extended its unbeaten streak to 58 games in front a record championship-game crowd of 2,588 at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium in the Illinois State Championship game last May. It was their second straight IL title. You can read more, and catch video with Vanessa post-game, in this Chicago Tribune story. There’s a back story as well. How many of you recognized Vanessa’s last name? Her father is Angelo DiBernardo, here’s how he’s described in Sports Ilustrated in 1976

The second part of Indiana’s secret is an amazingly gifted goal scorer (10 so far this season), Angelo DiBernardo, 22, a darkly handsome, elegantly turned-out, shy young man who has road-burning speed, an uncanny knack of being in the right spot and is a deadly shot with either foot (SI, Nov. 15, 1976). If DiBernardo decides to turn pro (although a senior academically, he has a year’s eligibility left), he will probably be the No. 1 pick in the North American Soccer League’s college draft in January.

He’s in the Indiana Soccer Hall of Fame, played for the New York Cosmos for four years and also spent a decade coaching at Waubonsie, including one season for the girls team in 1991-1992. That team went 19-2-3 and would have been about the time Vanessa was born. I know this because I asked how old she was when the World Cup came to Chicago (and the US) and she responded immediately that she was 2. There are pictures of Angelo with his daughter and with former Waubonsie player, and current Creighton All-American Chris Shuler, son of Springfield’s Chris Shuler.

As large an event as the NSCAA can be, it’s a great opportunity to learn, meet and develop your game. If you’re considering soccer as a career, joining the NSCAA and participating in it’s programs and the Convention should be considered a requirement.

NSCAA St Louis 2009 – Women’s Professional Soccer Player Draft

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NSCAA 2009 St Louis - WPS DraftNSCAA 2009 St Louis - WPS Draft

The Women’s Professional League (WPS), which begins play this Spring, held it’s first Player’s Draft on Friday at the NSCAA Convention. From players hoping to be drafted, including Southwest Baptist Bearcat Aude Lechat, a native of France who has anchored the Bearcat defense the past three years, earning team MVP honors in 2006 (pictured in white, left photo) – to the Coaching and management staffs from the leagues teams, it was a busy day at America’s Center. Pictured on the right is Jorge Barcellos, GM and Head Coach of Athletica who was assisted by Steve Pecher during the draft.

You can follow the action this season on the WPS “Fan Corner” which has a complete list of the draft. Athletica drafted Kerri Hanks, recent Hermann Trophy winner, where she would join Lori Chalupny and Hope Solo.

For the undrafted player, there are Open Tryouts scheduled throughout the League. Saint Louis Athletica will be holding open tryouts on February 4th, 5th and 6th from 8am to 4pm at St. Louis Scott Gallagher Complex in Creve Couer Missouri. Participants in this tryout may be selected to compete in an invitation-only tryout the following week on Feb 11, 12 and 13th (8am to 4pm). Click here to register for the open tryout. After you register – more information will be provided.

NSCAA St Louis 2009 – Regional High School Awards Banquet

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NSCAA Convention St Louis - Regional HS Coaches Awards BreakfastNSCAA Convention St Louis - Regional HS Coaches Awards Breakfast

Friday morning featured the Awards Banquet for High School Coaches across the country. As noted earlier on this site, Glendale Falcons Coach Jeff Rogers (pictured right above with Chris Lawson, Rockhurst) was recognized as Large School Midwest Regional Coach of the Year. Chris was recognized as the Large School Private/Parochial School Coach of the year. You may recall their teams faced each other in the Large School Missouri High School Final this year with Rockhurst winning 3-0.

Also recognized from the Midwest were Mary Beth Elsen, Winnebago IL Small School Boys Coach of the Year (left, above) and Terry Hair, Olathe East (KS) Large School Girls Coach (pictured with Mary Beth).

David Wald, Mahtomdedi (MN) was Small School Girls Coach and Kevin Roethe, Divine Savior Holy Angels (WI) was the Small School Private/Parochial Coach in the Midwest Region.

There are 8 regions with six categories/divisions making them part of the Top 48 programs in the country. Congratulations!

On a related note, Alexandra Fowler, Notre Dame Regional High School, Cape Girardeau, MO was named to the 2008 NSCAA/adidas Girls High School Scholar All-America Team.

Alexandra’s team was recognized for their academic achievements as were Brad Wittenborn and Jeff Worley from the Boy’s squad at Cape Notre Dame while Matt Darby, Notre Dame de Sion High School, Kansas City, MO was the other winner from Missouri.

NSCAA Convention Update from St Louis

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NSCAA Convention - St LouisNSCAA Convention - St Louis

It’s hard to put into words what it’s like here in St Louis but a couple photos should give you an idea. That’s Taylor Twellman (NE Revolution, SLUH) with his Uncle Tim of Select Soccer on the Exhibition floor. I also got to shake Tony Meola’s hand (dwarfed my hands!), the World Cup 94 goalkeeper and former KC Wizard. Then there’s hundreds of pairs of ‘boots’ turned in for the Passback program by the coaches and players that are attending the Convention.

I’ve got an early start Friday so look for a late morning update, probably from a Starbucks. I’ll need a couple jolts to keep up with the action here.

Did you catch any of the Major League Soccer draft action? Kansas City Drafts GK Neal Kitson of St. John’s, Akeem Priestley of Connecticut. The Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) holds their draft Friday, I’ll get some info on St Louis Athletica and get us all caught up.

Oh, and see if I got a photo your favorite Regional High School Coach at the opening reception

Meet Me In St Louis

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2009conventionlogoOK, I’m out of here, headed for the National Soccer Coaches annual convention. The local boys and gals have been telling me for the past year, ever since it was announced it would be held in St Louis, that I needed to be there so I’m off. I’ll be reporting regularly on the events and the people, from what I understand this is the biggest single soccer event held annually in the US.

An example – Major League Soccer is holding their Draft today, live on ESPN, from the Convention. Tonight will also feature the announcement of the National Hall of Fame awards, which the KC Star is talking about along with a story on Matt Besler, a Blue Valley West/Notre Dame graduate who is in the player pool:

The Wizards will make the eighth overall pick in the draft and have six picks overall, including consecutive second-round selections. Three potential hall of fame inductees also have ties to the Wizards — Peter Vermes, technical director and former player, former head coach Bob Gansler and former player Preki.

The Post-Dispatch is giving the Convention plenty of coverage, while also going to bat for the community with an article on why St Louis deserves an MLS franchise!

Plenty to enjoy, including the Missouri Soccer Coaches opening reception. More later!

SBU Bearcat Coach Benjamin Wade Participates in Survivor: Tocantins – Brazilian Highlands

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SBU Bearcats host Drury PanthersThis just in, from the front page of the Bolivar Herald-Free Press: Southwest Baptist Bearcat’s Women’s Soccer Coach Benjamin Wade of Bolivar in CBS’ Survivor

After 18 seasons of CBS’ reality show Survivor, viewers may expect to see the usual cutthroat scramble for $1 million, but contestant Benjamin Wade of Bolivar said he had a different approach in mind when joining the cast. The women’s soccer coach at Southwest Baptist University and a self-proclaimed “Renaissance Man” set out to compete in Survivor: Tocantins – Brazilian Highlands to prove the game could be played without compromising character.

“My stance was integrity and to show everyone a Christian can be a real man,” Wade said.

Has it really been 18 seasons already? And what do you think, will his approach take him very far in the Highlands? Survivor: Tocantins – Brazilian Highlands premieres at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, on CBS.

Here’s his introduction on the Survivor website (careful – “beefcake alert”) and here’s a link to a Cast Introduction video. GO Bearcats!

Lake Country Soccer Adds High School Boys Academy Program

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Lake Country Soccer logoLake Country Soccer is pleased to announce, that we will be offering an Academy for high school aged boys this spring 2009.

Download the LCS HS Boys Academy flyer

Purpose: The purpose of the Academy is to provide high school aged boys in the Springfield area including Southwest Missouri, training and development opportunities for the spring season. The academy focuses on individual fitness and skills.

Who can participate? The Lake Country Soccer Academy is open to any high school aged male soccer athlete domiciled in Springfield and/or Southwest Missouri.

Where & When? Academy sessions will be held at Lake Country Soccer. Most sessions will be conducted on Sunday afternoons between 1:00p and 3:00pm on the North fields (located between the Cooper Tennis Complex and the Killian Softball Complex) on field # 10. The program is anticipated to include eight (8) training sessions beginning on Sunday March 15th and concluding on Sunday, May 17th.

How much? Each participant shall pay $60 which will include an official LCS Academy program uniform/jersey as well as registration membership with the Missouri Youth Soccer Association/Lake Country Soccer. Make checks payable to “Lake Country Soccer” and in the memo section be sure to write, “HS Boys Academy.”

Paperwork needed: Each Academy participant shall complete the Missouri Youth Soccer Association membership/registration form and the Lake Country Soccer Medical Consent and Liability release form, prior to any participation in this program. Forms can be downloaded from our web site at www.lakecountrysoccer.org

Who will be the director of coaching? Memo Latapi will be the technical director for this activity. Memo is an established member of the Springfield soccer community with an extensive experienced background as a player and instructor/trainer. Memo will be in charge of developing the curriculum. Guest presenters may be invited as well to assist in the program.

Is the “Academy” a team or a club? The Academy is a Lake Country Soccer sponsored program which is not affiliated with any other club nor is it a team. The Academy is not designed to create a team or to start another club program.

The Academy is solely designed to provide high school aged boys training and development opportunities in the spring season. Primarily, it is intended to provide a service to those boys who are not playing on a club team or for those looking for additional training and development. The program is an open enrollment program regardless of which high school and/or club team a player is registered with in the fall.

Questions can be directed to the immediate attention of Kelly Ross with Lake Country Soccer; via telephone (417)-862-3211 x102 or by email; kelly@lakecountrysoccer.org

REGISTER ONLINE from the menu selection click on LEAGUES > HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMY then click on the hyperlink “Individual Registration”.

Program is anticipated to begin on Sunday, March 15th and conclude on Sunday, May 17th.

US Soccer Interviews Jack Jewsbury at MNT Camp

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Categorized under REPRESENT!

Jack’s first opportunity to earn a ‘cap’ comes in the exhibition game against Sweden on January 24th. I’ll be at Coester’s that evening, come out and join me as we cheer on the boys. US Soccer also just announced that tickets for the World Cup qualifying game against Mexico, to be played at Columbus on February 11th, will go on sale January 28th. Here’s the link with all of the details.

2009 USSF Entry Level Grade 8 Referee certification course!

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Missouri Referee Development ProgramThe Missouri Referee Development Program in conjunction with Lake Country Soccer will be conducting a United States Soccer Federation Entry Level Grade 8 Referee certification course February 6-8, 2009. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Register online through the hyperlink below.

* Who can register? There is no minimum age requirement
* How much? $65 per person. Make checks payable to “MRDP.”
* Where? Location is “To Be Determined” depending on class size
* How long is the course? 16 hours
Friday night – 6:00pm – 10:00p, all day Saturday (8:00am – 4:00pm) and Sunday afternoon (12:00p – 4:00p)
* Written examination is administered on Sunday afternoon immediately following instruction (approximately 3:30pm)

Questions may be directed to Jim McCarthy, the MRDP Southern District Referee Administrator by email: lcsrefs@aol.com