Greetings!
The close of summer saw Cook Inlet SC finish the 2022-2023 soccer season on a high, culminating with the club winning SEVEN Alaska Youth Soccer State Cup Championships, more than any other soccer club in the state!! Building on that success, over 500 players, a record number, 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’s Fall recreational soccer seasons, both Outdoor and Indoor, explode in growth, well beyond last year’s figures, to continue it’s claims as Anchorage’s largest youth soccer program.
Finally, we want to thank players, coaches, team managers, treasurers, families, alumni, staff, and volunteers for their continued support over the last year in helping demonstrate why Cook Inlet SC is the preeminent youth soccer club in Alaska! We are grateful for all you do to contribute to the organization’s success. Thank you!
And with that, please enjoy below a rundown of club news from the start of the second half of 2023 both on and off the pitch!
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
Greetings Cook Inlet SC members,
Looking back over the last quarter, I’d like to CONGRATULATE the seventeen Cook Inlet SC players invited to the Region IV ODP camp this past July in Salt Lake City. You represented the Club with distinction and we look forward to following and supporting you as you advance on your soccer journey. Additionally, CONGRATULATIONS are also in order for the following 11 Cook Inlet SC teams for their success at the Alaska Youth Soccer Association State Cup this past August. The 2012 Boys Elite, 2011 Girls Reign, 2010 Girls Elite, 2009 Girls Elite, 2008 Girls Elite, 2007 Girls Elite, and 2006 Boys that won in their respective age groups and earned a spot at the 2024 Far West Regionals event in Honolulu, HI as well as the 2013 Boys, 2010 Boys Elite, 2009 Boys, and the 2007 Girls Premier teams for making it to the Finals and earning a spot at Presidents Cup in Salt Lake City, UT. Both events will be held in June 2024. Each and every player represented Cook Inlet SC with prominence and we are proud you chose to wear the Club’s shirt.
With that, as autumn descends upon Alaska, many changes occur and for the Cook Inlet SC, we are no exception. In addition to moving back into The Dome, which is a very exciting prospect for many of our families, our Competitive program as well as our Recreational program are both experiencing a record number of player participation, of which has been keeping our staff very busy in ensuring we are able to provide the quality experience many of come to know from Cook Inlet SC over the years.
Along with providing the best soccer experience within the State of Alaska, beginning this month, Cook Inlet SC’s Competitive program will begin transitioning to Adidas as our uniform manufacturer as well as returning to soccer.com as our supplier after a five year absence. By month’s end, families will be receiving an email from soccer.com with information about how to order their player’s new Adidas Competitive kits.
Looking ahead, the Club will have four of our Girls Competitive teams travel to Orlando, FL in early December to compete in the USYS National League Playoffs for a place in the National League P.R.O. Showcase in California in May 2024. These four teams – the 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007 Girls Elite – along with our 2011 Girls Elite team will all be competing this year in the USYS National League Northwest Conference. Furthermore, we expect to have our boys teams back in USYS National League again next year.
Finally, beyond the pitch, we are happy to announce we have partnered with Richard Waynick State Farm as our newest kit sponsor. Please see the Community Partner Spotlight below for more information on this new exciting opportunity for the Club.
With that, stay tuned for further developments and updates as we move cooler temperatures sweep in and the holiday season quickly approaches.
Sincerely,
Cook Inlet SC Executive Director
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 will be able to award over $15,000 in financial aid for the 2023-2024 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 Cook Inlet SC’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 new 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 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. “We look forward to the next level this partnership will allow CISC, and Alaska soccer as a whole, to reach and are grateful to have Richard Waynick State Farm as a major partner and contributor toward our shared goals.”
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 will appear on the sleeve of all Competitive jerseys, training tops, warm-up tops, and fan gear.
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 continues to see unprecedented growth, seeing nearly 450 players registered for the Fall Indoor Season! That’s on top of the nearly 1,900 players registered overall throughout the 2023 for Cook Inlet SC’s Recreational program! That’s an AMAZING figure for Anchorage’s largest youth soccer program!
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 AYS STATE CUP
Between August 3-6, 2023 in Fairbanks, Cook Inlet Soccer Club once again showed why it’s the most successful soccer club in the State of Alaska by winning 7x State Championships at the 2023 Alaska Youth Soccer State Cup – more than any other soccer club in Alaska!
The Cook Inlet SC 12B Elite, 11G Reign, 10G Elite, 09G Elite, 08G Elite, 07G Elite, and 06B teams all won in their respective age groups and therefore earning a place at Far West Regionals in Hawaii in 2024.
Additionally, the 13B, 10B Elite, 09B, 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 Salt Lake City in 2024.
Well done to all the Cook Inlet SC teams who participated in this event!
2023 FAR NORTH INVITATIONAL
Cook Inlet SC showed well in the mid-season event of the Summer Season, the Far North Invitational Tournament, which was played July 13-16, 2023!
The Cook Inlet SC 13B, 12B Elite and 09G Premier all won in their respective age groups.
Well done to all the CISC teams who participated in this event!
2023 ODP REGION IV CAMP
Congratulations again to the Cook Inlet SC players who were selected to participate in the “Invite Only” ODP Region IV camp this past July in Salt Lake City!
Players invited to camp had the opportunity to be selected for the ODP Region IV team, which competes against other ODP Regional Select Teams at a National Scouting tournament. Players selected then have an opportunity to be seen and invited to the ODP National Team pool.
Representing players from Cook Inlet SC included the following: Abakar Abdu Adoum, Brooklyn Bailey, Addison Bailey, Gabriel Ballesteros, Jensenia Cortes, Kinsey Dufour, Taylor Fisk, Addysen Gasser, Shibiru Hoffman, Faith Hughes, Maddison Kukuk, Shayla Lee, Meadow Lewis, Zophia Lucero, Rocco Von Marees, Ebrahim Shihahideh, and Emery Waller.
And in case you didn’t know…the US Youth Soccer ODP Philosophy is to identify players of the highest caliber on a continuing and consistent basis. The US Youth Soccer ODP purpose is to identify and provide opportunities for high potential players, facilitate their development, and expose them to the next level of their chosen pathway.
Way to go!!!
UPSL
Cook Inlet SC’s UPSL Men’s & Women’s teams both finished their 2023 seasons with winning records and are looking to build on that success heading into 2024.
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 team, to include trying out, 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.
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, November 7 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