As summer came to a close, Cook Inlet SC finished the 2021-2022 soccer season on a high, culminating with the club winning 9 Alaska Youth Soccer State Cup Championships, more than all other soccer clubs in the state COMBINED!! And building on that success, a record number of players, nearly 400, came out to Competitive Tryouts in August to try and earn a spot with Alaska’s most successful youth soccer club. Additionally, the third quarter also saw Cook Inlet SC offer its first Fall outdoor recreational season before moving into its home for the winter months, The Dome, October 1. And with all that is going on with the club, we want to remind everyone how proud we are of the accomplishments of our players, coaches, team managers, treasurers, families, alumni, and staff have made over the year.
With that, please enjoy the rundown below as we move indoors and look to end 2022 in a more prominent position than when the year started.
In this edition:
- From the Desk of the Executive Director
- Community Partners
- Rec Program update
- Comp Program update
- Alumni update
FROM THE DESK OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
In the first four months since my wife and I arrived in Alaska and joined Cook Inlet Soccer Club, we have found the experience to be more than wonderful! We have had the opportunity to meet many families within the club, all of whom have welcomed us with open arms. Moving from over 4,500 miles away, there have been several periods of trepidation because of the unknown, but you as a club have helped ease those moments of nervousness and made us feel at home for which we are very grateful.
With that, the biggest thing that has left an impression on me in my short time here has been the passion and commitment of our coaching and office staff. I have had the pleasure of being involved with various soccer organizations in my twenty year plus coaching career and I can tell you without a doubt that the Cook Inlet SC Coaches and Staff are very special. On countless occasions have I seen our coaches go above and beyond what is expected of them to help make the experience of our players in the club the best it can be. It’s truly amazing!
My wife and I are more than grateful to all of you for allowing us to join your family, the Cook Inlet SC family. In return, it is my hope that we we can return the favor by helping move the club forward, together building on the success we have in the state and in the future, capitalizing on our vast resources and potential to become the regional power I know we can become outside of Alaska.
Here’s to looking forward to many exciting opportunities and truly memorable experiences coming to the club!
Quote of the Quarter:
“You cannot be disciplined in the GREAT things and undisciplined in the SMALL things.”
George S. Patton Jr.
See you on the pitch!
Shane Calvert
Executive Director
Cook Inlet SC
Without all of our community partners, Cook Inlet SC would not be able to offer the most affordable and quality soccer programs in the state. Thanks to their generosity, CISC is able to award over $15,000 in financial aid for the 2022-2023 soccer season and increase access to organized sports for more young Alaskans.
When you see owners and employees of our community partners, please thank them for their contributions to youth development and support their businesses.
We are pleased to share the latest companies supporting CISC’s programs and look forward to seeing their logos on new competitive program jerseys as well as recreational uniforms this summer.
COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Cook Inlet Soccer Club is proud of its partnership with Northrim Bank for the benefit of Alaska’s youth. Through a generous donation from Northrim Bank, CISC is able to offer a record amount of financial aid for eligible applicants for the 2022-2023 soccer season.
As the Official Banking Partner of Cook Inlet SC, Northrim Bank has performed banking services for CISC and its teams for many years. In addition, Northrim Bank helped CISC traverse complicated COVID federal aid programs and thanks to Northrim Bank’s guidance, CISC emerged from the 2020 COVID shutdown in a strong financial position, able still to continue developing Alaska’s youth on and off the field.
CISC Board Member Dylan Faber shared, “This partnership is a huge milestone in helping CISC remove financial barriers for Alaska families to participate in its programs. The impact of organized sports for youth and community development are immeasurable, and we are truly grateful to have this pillar of the community partner with CISC to benefit young Alaskans.”
As a major partner, Northrim Bank’s logo appears on the front of all competitive team jerseys, warm-up tops, training jerseys, fan gear and coaching tops. Additionally, Northrim Bank representatives donate their time to lead periodic financial literacy seminars to help CISC families prepare for their financial futures.
CISC RECREATIONAL SOCCER SEASONS
Anchorage’s most affordable, largest, and comprehensive youth recreational soccer program continued seeing unprecedented growth, seeing over 380 registered players for the Fall Indoor Season! That’s on top of the 315 for the Winter 2022 Season, 425 for the Spring 2022 Season, 625 for the Summer 2022 Season, and 290 for our first ever Fall Outdoor Season. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!
With that, registration for the CISC Winter 2023 Indoor Recreational Soccer Season, presented by Kendall Auto Alaska, is currently open with spots expected to fill up fast!
The seven-week season will commence on January 14 and conclude on February 25, 2023 with practices and games taking place between Monday through Thursday evenings (depending on the division).The U4 Lil’ Strikers Division will play once per week with practices and games combined within the 45-minute session. The U6 & U8 Divisions will play once per week with practices and games combined within the one-hour session. The U10-U15 Divisions will practice once per week for an hour with the second day being reserved for games. The U19 Division will play once per week with practices and games combined within the one-hour session. Games will commence the second week of the season.
For more information on the CISC Winter 2023 Indoor Recreational Soccer Season, presented by Kendall Auto Alaska, please visit HERE.
Additionally, you are interested in becoming involved with the Recreational program, please email staff. We are always on the lookout for coaches and referees.
CISC PRE-COMP TRAINING ACADEMY
This Fall, Cook Inlet Soccer Club will be holding its Pre-Comp Training Academy again, its purpose being to offer those players playing in CISC’s Recreational Soccer League who were born in 2015 and 2016 and are considering transitioning to competitive soccer an opportunity to supplement their recreational soccer experience by training with the CISC Competitive Coaching Staff over a six-week period prior to the Winter 2023 Pre-Competitive Soccer Season beginning in January.
The CISC Competitive Coaching Staff will focus its training on developing an individual player’s technical ability with the ball in a game-like environment at the level a player may experience playing competitive soccer.
The Pre-Comp Training Academy will take place on Saturday mornings from 9-10am during CISC Fall 2022 Indoor Recreational Soccer Season at The Dome.
For more information and to register, please visit HERE.
In-state and out of state, our competitive teams have been taking care of business. Check out some of the highlights below:
STATE CUP
Between August 4-7, 2022, Cook Inlet Soccer Club once again showed why it’s the most successful soccer club in the State of Alaska by winning 9x State Championships at the 2022 Alaska Youth Soccer State Cup – more than all other soccer clubs in Alaska COMBINED!
The Cook Inlet SC 12G, 11G, 10B, 10G Elite, 09G Elite, 08G, 07B, 07G, and 06B teams all won in their respective age groups and therefore earning a place at Far West Regionals in 2023.
Additionally, the 09G Premier and 07G Premier teams did Cook Inlet Soccer Club proud playing high quality soccer while earning a place in the Finals of their respective age group as well and earning a place for the Far West Presidents Cup in 2023.
Well done to all the CISC teams who participated in this event!
FAR NORTH TOURNAMENT
Cook Inlet Soccer Club showed well in the mid-season event of the Summer Season, the Far North Invitational Tournament, which was played July 14-17, 2022!
The Cook Inlet SC 12G Blue, 11G, 10G Elite, 08G, 09G Elite, and 07G Elite won in their respective age groups.
And the 10G Premier did Cook Inlet Soccer Club proud playing high quality soccer while earning a place in the Finals of their respective age group.
Well done to all the CISC teams who participated in this event!
2022 AK PREMIER COLLEGE ID CAMP
Coaches from George Mason University, Maryville College, the College of Charleston, Averett University, the Air Force Academy, University of Wyoming, Lipscomb University, Creighton University, and SIU Edwardsville came to Alaska to take part in Cook Inlet SC’s annual AK Premier College ID Camp.
Between July 26-29, players from within the club and around the state worked with some of the nation’s top college coaches over the week to experience what it’s like to be trained by a collegiate coach and garner exposure for their post club career. It was a great opportunity for campers overall.
Dates for the 2023 edition of the AK Premier College ID Camp, which will be open to players born between 2009-2005, will be announced in the next few months.
GATORADE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
CONGRATULATIONS to two of Cook Inlet SC’s own Keegynn Applegate (04G: Dimond HS) and Joseph Butzke (04B: Dimond HS) on being named the 2021-22 Gatorade Alaska Girls & Boys Soccer Player of the Year!
The Gatorade Player of the Year program recognizes the nation’s most outstanding high school student-athletes for their athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character. That’s what makes this award the most prestigious honor in High School sports.
Additionally, Gatorade Play It Forward works in collaboration with the Gatorade Player of the Year to empower each state Player of the Year to choose a local or national youth sports organization to receive a $1,000 grant from Gatorade, which Keegynn selected Cook Inlet SC as this year’s recipient!
Congratulations again to Keegynn and Joseph!!
Your CISC family ❤️’s you and are so proud of you for earning this honor!!
2022-2024 COMPETITIVE KITS
Cook Inlet Soccer Club Competitive Kits for the 2022-2024 cycle are NOW available to order from Tursi Soccer. Please click HERE for more informaotn and to place your order.
All players will be required to purchase a backpack and a training kit.
For players born between, 2013-2015, this will be all that is required to purchase. For players born 2012 and earlier, white and navy game uniforms will also need to be purchased as well.
Additionally, certain teams may require additional items so many sure to check with your Coach and Team Manager before ordering.
UPSL
Cook Inlet SC’s UPSL Men’s & Women’s teams both finished their 2022 seasons with winning records and are looking to build on that success heading into 2023.
The United Premier Soccer League is Alaska’s top soccer league for adults and the only destination for CISC senior players looking to elevate their game.
For more information regarding Cook Inlet SC’s UPSL teams, to include trying out, please e-mail CISC’s UPSL Team Manager Cat Jörgensen Rüesch at cat@cookinletsc.com
Support CISC while you shop!
When you shop at smile.amazon.comand select Cook Inlet Soccer Club as your recipient, Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to the club— no fees, no extra cost and your regular Amazon login works. Just remember to select CISC as your nonprofit of choice and shop through smile.amazon.com.
Send in your action shots!
Don’t forget to send your action shots to pr@cookinletsc.com along with details about the submission. Please limit submissions to three per event. Only clear videos and photos will be considered for posting.
CISC has sent more players to the next level than any other club in the state. To see what our alumni are up to, please click HERE.
Did we forget about a CISC alumnus who is still playing? Send updates and photos to Tim Valesko.
The next CISC Board of Directors Meeting is set to be scheduled for sometime in in late October at the CISC Office. Date/time will be posted shortly.
In the meantime, for public comments or to send a message to the full Board, please e-mail board@cookinletsc.com.
Additionally, if you are interested in the affairs of the club and have a few hours to volunteer each month, CISC is actively recruiting board and committee members to help takes us to the next level.
Interested in sponsoring Alaska’s premier youth sports organization?
As a 501(c)(3) CISC is dependent on donors and sponsorships to continue delivering the best soccer programs in the state. We have tax-deductible sponsorship packages to meet every budget and are committed to making sure sponsorship are mutually beneficial. To discuss your tax-deductible sponsorship today, email pr@cookinletsc.com.
Cook Inlet Soccer Club (501)(c)(3) | 907-344-PLAY | Email