Greetings & Happy New Year!
As Cook Inlet SC closes out the year as Anchorage’s largest and Alaska’s most successful youth soccer club, it can be said 2024 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 three teams qualifying for the US Youth Soccer National Championships; from its Recreational program seeing unprecedented growth in registered players to several members of the Competitive coaching staff earning their United States Soccer Federation National C License, Cook Inlet SC continues to lead the way for youth soccer in the state and move forward toward its goal of being an elite club.
And with that, please enjoy the rundown from the past year as we welcome 2025 and all it will bring!
In this edition:
- What’s New in the New Year
- Community Partners
- Rec Program Update
- Comp Program Update
- Alumni Update
- Board of Directors Update
COOK INLET SC TRAINING CENTER
In January 2025, Cook Inlet SC will introduce the Cook Inlet SC Training Center.
The Cook Inlet SC Training Center is designed to help players take their game to the next level by improving their technical and physical skills in key areas such as ball mastery, first-touch, passing and receiving, and 1v1 attacking & defending. The program will provide players with the opportunity to work with a specialized Technical Trainer with the goal of improving their overall ability in a focused training environment. In addition, it is a great chance for players to gain confidence on the field as they sharpen their individual skills.
Cook Inlet SC will host multiple Training Center programs throughout the year for players of various age groups. Cook Inlet SC Training Center trainers host hour-long technical & physical training sessions throughout the week (variable depending on the season). Cook Inlet SC is the only youth soccer club in Alaska to offer this unique training environment for individual and small-group development.
For more information on the Cook Inlet SC Training Center and how to reserve your spot, please e-mail info@cookinletsc.com.
Cook Inlet SC is incredibly thankful for our community partners, which help us provide to our families the most affordable and highest quality soccer programs in Alaska. It is through these exceptional partnerships we are able to offer financial assistance to families who need support most. We take pride in this program and once again, for the 2024-2025 soccer season, over $20,000 in financial aid will be offered to our families.
So 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.
COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Cook Inlet Soccer Club is proud of its partnership with Richard Waynick State Farm for the benefit of Alaska’s youth. Through a generous donation from Richard Waynick State Farm, 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.
“We are extremely excited to work with Richard Waynick State Farm. Through partnerships like these, Cook Inlet SC has a greater impact and can serve more Alaskans,” said Cook Inlet SC Executive Director Scott Hickox. “We also look forward to the future of this partnership and Alaska soccer as a whole. We plan to do great things together and are grateful to have Richard Waynick State Farm onboard as an Official Partner.”
As an Official Partner with Cook Inlet SC, Richard Waynick State Farm prides itself on getting to know its clients personally so they can provide them with a plan that best suits their unique needs. Whether it’s helping translate insurance jargon or completing a plan overhaul, they’re there with cup of coffee to welcome you and help simplify the insurance process.
Richard Waynick State Farm’s logo appears on the sleeve of all Competitive jerseys. To learn more about Richard Waynick State Farm and unrivaled customer experience they provide, please visit their website at sfanchorage.com.
CISC RECREATIONAL SOCCER SEASONS
Anchorage’s most affordable, largest, and comprehensive youth recreational soccer program continued seeing unprecedented growth with over 400 registered players for the Fall Indoor Season! That’s on top of the 420+ for the Winter Indoor 2024 Season, 430+ for the Spring Indoor 2024 Season, 625+ for the Summer Outdoor 2024 Season, and 375+ for the Fall 2024 Outdoor Season. SPECTACULAR!
With that, registration for the CISC Winter 2025 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 11 and conclude on February 22, 2025 with practices and games taking place on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings and/or Saturday mornings (depending on the division). Games will commence the second week of the season.
Every player is assigned a team and will receive a uniform kit including a jersey and socks.
For more information on the CISC Winter 2025 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:
COOK INLET SC HIRES A DIRECTOR OF COACHING
Laef Eggan has joined Cook Inlet SC as its new Director of Coaching, a role in which he will oversee all aspects of Cook Inlet SC Competitive Program.
Laef is a West High School alumnus (’93) and grew up playing in Alaska where he won multiple state titles and was named Gatorade Player of the Year and a High School All-American in 1992. After graduating high school, Laef attended Pacific Lutheran University for two years before transferring to Hartwick College to finish his collegiate playing career and earn a BA Fine Arts.
Laef has coached club & high school soccer for more the 20+ years, twice earning Cook Inlet Conference Coach of the Year honors as head boys coach of his alma mater West High School.
Laef holds a USSF National C License and is passionate about fostering a player-centered environment where the development of youth soccer players is aligned with their specific age. He firmly believes that a structured and thoughtful approach to development ensures long-term success, both on and off the field.
2024-2025 USYS ELITE 64
In January of 2025, six Cook Inlet SC Girls teams (06G-12G E64) will begin competition in the USYS E64 Northwest League.
With that, the Cook Inlet SC 2006 Girls Elite, 2008 Girls Elite, 2009 Girls Elite, 2010 Girls Elite, and 2011 Girls Elite teams all recently returned from Mesa, Arizona between November 8-12 where they competed in the USYS Elite 64 Quarterfinals are part of the USYS National Championship Series.
The USYS Elite 64 Quarterfinals represents the first stage of national events for Elite 64 teams, as they continue their journey to ultimately earn their way to the USYS National Championships.
After three games, the Cook Inlet SC 06G Elite went undefeated to earn a place at the USYS Elite 64 Semifinals next year. The Cook Inlet SC 08G Elite also qualified for the USYS Elite 64 Semifinals next May after finishing second in their group with a record of 2W 1L 0D. The Cook Inlet SC 09G Elite also qualified for the USYS Elite 64 Semifinals and will be traveling to California after finishing atop their group undefeated with 3 wins and not giving up a goal. Additionally, after three games, the Cook Inlet SC 10G Elite finished with a record of 3W 0L 0D, winning their last game on penalties to earn a place at the USYS Elite 64 Semifinals next year as well. Finally, to round out the successful weekend, the Cook Inlet SC 11G Elite also claimed a spot going undefeated!
Best of luck to all the Cook Inlet SC teams competing at the USYS Elite 64 Semifinals in Oceanside, CA between May 2-6, 2025!
2024-2025 USYS NATIONAL LEAGUE
The Cook Inlet SC 2008 Boys, 2009 Boys, 2010 Boys Elite, 2011Boys Elite, and 2012 Boys Elite teams are all competing in the US Youth Soccer National League: Northwest Conference for the 2024-2025 season. The US Youth Soccer National League: Northwest Conference consists of teams primarily from Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Montana, Alaska. The top teams will qualify for a place at the 2025 USYS Quarterfinals.
Highlights from the first series of games held in Oregon between December 21-23, 2024 include:
– Cook Inlet SC 11B Elite earned two draws in their group at their first ever appearance at a USYS National League event with a record of 0W 1L 2D.
– Cook Inlet SC 12B Elite are in a three-way tie for first in their group with a record of 2W 1L D with 8 GF 8 GA.
The Cook Inlet SC 08B, 09B, 10B Elite, and 11B Elite teams will finish out the season next year and travel to Washington to compete in the USYS National League: Northwest Conference second round of events between January 24-26, 2025.
Well done to all the Cook Inlet SC Boys teams who participated in this event!
2024 SURF COLLEGE CUP
The Cook Inlet SC 2006 Girls Elite 64 and 2009 Girls Elite 64 teams traveled to Oceanside, CA between November 29-December 1 to compete in the 2024 Surf College Cup, which nationally recognized premier event and rated among the top in the United States!
Both teams went undefeated over their three games of play at the showcase, which is attended by an estimated 500 college coaches from around the nation.
Way to go to both teams who competed in this year’s competition.
2024 RSL ARIZONA HOLIDAY CLASSIC
The Cook Inlet SC 13B Elite team traveled to Arizona between December 13-15 to compete in the 2024 RSL Arizona Holiday Classic.
The team finished tied for first their group with a record of 2W 1L 0D with 11GF 7GA. It was a great experience for the team and they represented Cook Inlet SC with distinction on their first trip out-of-state.
2024 ALASKA PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE
Congratulations to Cook Inlet SC 2009 Boys & Cook Inlet SC 2009 Girls Elite 64 teams on their championship wins in both the Boys & Girls Divisions of the 2024 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 19-December 14, 2024 at The Dome.
Way to go to all the Cook Inlet SC teams who competed in this year’s competition.
UPSL
It was a phenomenal year for the Cook Inlet SC UPSL Men’s & Women’s teams as both teams won the league championship in 2024.
The United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) is Alaska’s top soccer league for adults and the top destination for Cook Inlet SC senior players looking to elevate their game.
Tryout dates for Cook Inlet SC’s UPSL Men’s & Women’s teams for the 2025 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.
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/about/alumni/
Did we forget about a Cook Inlet SC alumnus who is still playing? Send updates and photos to info@cookinletsc.com.
The next Cook Inlet SC Board of Directors Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 14 at 6:00pm at the Cook Inlet SC Office.
For public comments or to send a message to the full Board, please e-mail info@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 take us to the next level.
To join the board or serve on a committee, please e-mail to info@cookinletsc.com for an application.
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.
Interested in sponsoring Alaska’s premier youth sports organization?
As a 501(c)(3) Cook Inlet SC 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 SC (501)(c)(3)| 907-344-PLAY | E-mail