Greetings & Happy New Year!
As Cook Inlet SC closes out its 41st year as Anchorage’s largest and Alaska’s most successful youth soccer club, it can be said 2023 proved to be another stellar year in its history as well. From leading the competition with seven Alaska Youth Soccer State Cup Championships this past year to five teams qualifying for the US Youth Soccer National League series; from its Recreational program seeing unprecedented growth in registered players to more than half the members of the Competitive coaching staff furthering their education by leveling up their United States Soccer Federation coaching licenses, Cook Inlet SC continues to lead the way for youth soccer in the state and move forward toward its goal of being one of the premier youth soccer clubs in the region.
And with that, please enjoy the rundown from the past year as we welcome 2024 and all it will bring!
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
Happy Holidays to all!
This is the season to reflect on the past year and look ahead to what is coming next. For myself, looking back, it has been an extraordinary year with many changes, including taking on the role as Executive Director for Cook Inlet SC. As I reflect, I want to pass along how proud I am of the Cook Inlet SC family. We have so many amazing people making this Club successful. I am grateful for our office staff, coaches, team managers, treasurers, travel coordinators, and most importantly, our families who support our players. This network is responsible for the off-field support so that on-field success is possible, including seven State Champions, four State Finalists, three teams advancing to USYS National League P.R.O., five teams competing in the USYS National League NW Conference, and the only Alaskan Club to ever win both the Boys’ and Girls’ titles for the Alaska Premier Soccer League. We have over a dozen former players now playing in College with more on the way from the class of 2024. We now have unprecedented numbers of players participating in our recreation program as well as in our competitive program. Watching this growth and seeing players with smiles on their faces playing the game they love is our goal and what motivates us to push forward to make their experience with Cook Inlet SC even better in the coming year.
On a personal note, starting in June of 2023, I started the journey to obtain my USSF National B License. Over the past six months, I have traveled to the Barcelona Residency Academy in Arizona twice to receive in-person education from great US Soccer coach educators. I have filmed numerous training sessions and games, all with the responsibility to analyze team and individual player performances, as well as my own, while maintaining a growth mindset to allow me to be better at the craft of coaching and leading. I owe many thanks to the players and coaches who supported me along the way, including a special mention to the Cook Inlet SC Board of Directors for supporting me on this journey, one that would not have been possible without you.
With that, I’m looking forward to 2024 and all that the New Year will bring to Cook Inlet SC!
Sincerely,
Scott Hickox
Cook Inlet SC Executive Director
Without all of our community partners, Cook Inlet SC would not be able to offer the most affordable and highest quality soccer programs in the state. Thanks to their generosity, CISC have awarded over $20,000 in financial aid for the 2023-2024 soccer season, increasing the number of scholarship recipients by 245% as compared to last year.
When you see owners and employees of our community partners, whom are listed below, please thank them for their contributions to youth development and support their businesses.
We are pleased to share the latest companies supporting Cook Inlet SC’s programs and look forward to seeing their logos on new competitive program jerseys as well as recreational uniforms next year.
COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Cook Inlet Soccer Club is proud of its partnership with Rebound Sports & Orthopedic Physical Therapy for the benefit of Alaska’s youth. Through a generous donation from Rebound Sports & Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Cook Inlet SC is able to carry out its mission to administer the best competitive and recreational youth soccer programs in the state, mentor the next generation of community leaders and help Alaskans develop healthy lifestyle habits through playing the beautiful game.
As the Official Physical Therapy Partner with Cook Inlet SC, Rebound Sports & Orthopedic Physical Therapy is built on an unwavering commitment to provide superior, personal care for the people and athletes of Anchorage, striving to promote quick recovery from injury and a full return to an active lifestyle with individualized treatment in state of the art facilities, all of which utilize aquatics.
“We are extremely excited to work with Rebound Sports & Orthopedic Physical Therapy. Through partnerships like this, Cook Inlet SC can have a greater impact, serve more Alaskans and help propel Alaska soccer to the next level,” said Cook Inlet SC Executive Director Scott Hickox.
To learn more about Rebound Sports & Orthopedic Physical Therapy and the exceptional physical therapy they provide to the people and athletes of Anchorage, please visit their website at reboundptak.com.
CISC RECREATIONAL SOCCER SEASONS
Anchorage’s most affordable, largest, and comprehensive youth recreational soccer program continued seeing unprecedented growth with nearly 450 registered players for the Fall Indoor Season! That’s on top of the 395+ for the Winter Indoor 2023 Season, 470+ for the Spring Indoor 2023 Season, 635+ for the Summer Outdoor 2023 Season, and 340+ for the Fall 2023 Outdoor Season. SPECTACULAR!
With that, registration for the CISC Winter 2024 Indoor Recreational Soccer Season, presented by Kendall Auto Alaska, is currently open with spots filling up fast!
The seven-week season will commence on January 13 and conclude on February 24, 2024 with practices and games taking place on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings and/or Saturday mornings (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 2024 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.
In-state and out-of-state, our Competitive teams have been taking care of business. Check out some of the highlights below:
2023-2024 USYS NATIONAL LEAGUE
The Cook Inlet SC 2007 Girls Elite, 2008 Girls Elite, 2009 Girls Elite, 2010 Girls Elite, and 2011 Elite teams are all competing in the US Youth Soccer National League: Northwest Conference for the 2023-2024 season. The US Youth Soccer National League: Northwest Conference consists of teams primarily from Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Montana, Alaska. The top teams in the Northwest Conference top tier divisions will earn advancement to the US Youth Soccer Conference Playoffs and automatically qualify for National League P.R.O. with an opportunity to advance to Nationals.
Highlights from the first series of games held in Eugene, OR between December 15-17, 2023 include:
– Cook Inlet SC 07G Elite leading their group with a record of 2W 0L 1D with 8GF 0GA.
– Cook Inlet SC 08G Elite in the hunt for a top of the table finish with a 1-1-1 record.
– Cook Inlet SC 09G Elite are still in contention for a spot in next year’s USYS National League Conference Playoffs.
– Cook Inlet SC 10G Elite sitting second in their group with a 1W 0L 2D record with 6GF 3GA.
– Cook Inlet SC 11G Elite finishing second in their group at their first ever appearance at a USYS National League event with a record of 2W 1L 1D with 6GF 2GA.
The Cook Inlet SC 10G Elite, 09G Elite, 08G Elite & 07G Elite teams will finish out the season next year and travel to Seattle, Washington to compete in the USYS National League: Northwest Conference second round of events between January 19-21, 2024.
Well done to all the Cook Inlet SC teams who participated in this event!
2023 USYS NATIONAL LEAGUE CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS
The Cook Inlet SC 2007 Girls Elite, 2008 Girls Elite, 2009 Girls Elite, and 2010 Girls Elite teams all traveled to Orlando, FL December 8-11 to compete in the USYS National League Conference Playoffs.
The USYS National League Conference Playoffs represents the first stage of national events for conference teams, as they continue their journey to ultimately earn their way to the USYS National Championships.
After three games, the Cook Inlet SC 07G finished with a record of 1W 1L 1D to earn a place at USYS National League P.R.O. taking place between May 3-7, 2024 in Oceanside, CA.
The Cook Inlet SC 08G also qualified for USYS National League P.R.O. next May after finishing second in their group with a record of 1W 0L 2D.
The Cook Inlet 09G SC also qualified for USYS National League P.R.O. and will be traveling to Oceanside, CA after finishing atop their group undefeated with 3 wins.
And finally, unfortunately just missing out on qualification, the Cook Inlet SC 10G can still hold their heads up high going undefeated in group play with three draws.
Well done to all the Cook Inlet SC teams who participated in this event!
2023 ALASKA PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE
Congratulations to Cook Inlet SC 2006 Boys & Cook Inlet SC HS Girls Elite teams on their championship wins in both the Boys & Girls Divisions of the 2023 Alaska Premier Soccer League (AKPSL) Championships!
The AKPSL’s purpose is to provide a high-level of play and quality exposure for young athletes in Alaska’s only 11-a-side competitive youth indoor soccer league. The season took place between October 15-December 16, 2023 at The Dome.
In addition, the Cook Inlet SC 09GG Elite team also made it to the Finals of the Girls Division, losing out to eventual champions, Cook Inlet SC HS Girls Elite team (pictured).
Way to go to all the Cook Inlet SC teams who competed in this year’s competition.
The United Premier Soccer League is Alaska’s top soccer league for adults and the top destination for CISC senior players looking to elevate their game.
Tryout dates for Cook Inlet SC’s UPSL Men’s & Women’s teams for the 2024 Season will be announced later this Spring.
In the meantime, for more information regarding Cook Inlet SC’s UPSL teams, please e-mail info@cookinletsc.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.
Additionally, please don’t forget to tag #CookInletSC on all of your social media posts.
Cook Inlet SC has sent more players to the next level than any other club in the state. Check out our club alumni currently playing, and click on their school to see their latest stats: https://cookinletsc.com/competitive/alumni/
Did we forget about a Cook Inlet SC alumnus who is still playing? Send updates and photos to info@cookinletsc.com.
Cook Inlet SC Board of Directors Meeting
The next Cook Inlet SC Board of Directors Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 6 at 6:30pm at the Cook Inlet SC Offices.
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, Cook Inlet SC 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