On the National Letter-of-Intent Signing Day Team Chicago Academy honored 17 2014 signees with a ceremony at PlayUSA

Below is a list of the 2014 signees:

Emily Curtis, Illinois Wesleyan University DIII

Hannah Rodgers, Illinois State University DI

Heather Handwork, Marquette University DI

Gianna Marconi, Colorado State University DI

Katie Ciesiulka, Marquette University DI

Kelsey Pruett, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville DI

Kristen Brots, Kent State University DI

Lilly Butler, Western Illinois University DI

Madi Harris, Case Western Reserve University, DIII

Mary Rounce, Michigan State University DI

Megan Buchanan, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne DI

Olivia Schmitt, University of Illinois DI

Rachael Brots, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville DI

Samantha O’Brien, Northern Illinois University DI

Sara Stevens, Grand Valley State University DII

Talise Romain, University of Florida DI

Tracey McCoy, Grand Valley State University DII

HELP ANDREW TAYLOR RAISE MONEY TO CONQUER CHILDHOOD CANCER

http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/662279/2014
OR DONATE By Phone: (888) 899‑225

EVENT DATE: Mar 16, 2014
START TIME: 12:00 pm END TIME: 5:00 pm (Andrew’s exact shave time TBA)
LOCATION: Ballydoyle – The Irish Pub & Restaurant, 28 W. New York Street, Aurora, IL US
TEAM: Team Chicago Soccer

MESSAGE FROM ANDREW
I’m shaving my head to raise money for childhood cancer research! Did you know that kids’ cancers are different from adult cancers? It’s true. And childhood cancer research is extremely underfunded. So I decided to do something about it by raising money for cures. I am a soccer coach that has been lucky and blessed to have been involved in thousands of kids life. Now I am giving back to kids that have a hard life and hoping that I can make it a little easier. WAA and TEAM CHICAGO SOCCER CLUB supported Coach Jesse and I last year to raise $3,500, so let’s try again.
This year I am very honored to do it for a special cause. I want to dedicate this year’s shaving to a special little girl. My close friend Barry Briggs’ niece, Livie, is six years old and is currently being treated for leukemia. Ginger, Livie’s mother, comments "She has been so amazing through all of this so far! She is my hero.’’ I have never met this little girl but she is also my hero.
Now I need your help! Will you make a donation? Every dollar makes a difference for the thousands of infants, children, teens, and young adults fighting childhood cancers.
Soccer coaches for the cure!

Three Team Chicago Academy players are currently representing Region II at the 2014 US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program Girls National Training Camp, taking place Jan. 27-31 at Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix, Ariz.

Midfielder/Forward Jasmine Ruiz from Team Chicago Academy-Brasilia is with the 1998 Region II Pool, while Winger/Forward Jamie Goralski and Center-mid Alyssa Bombacino, both from Team Chicago Academy-Cruzeiro, are with the 2000 Region II Team.

More than 200 athletes from the 1998, 1999 and 2000 age groups have been invited. In addition to numerous college coaches, U.S. Soccer will have representation at the Girls National Camp to offer enhanced development and education opportunities for these top players and coaches.

The Girls National Training Camp focuses on highlighting players’ individual talents as well as providing them with new tools and ideas through challenging daytime training and small-sided games. Players will have the opportunity to work alongside some of the nation’s top coaches to enhance their problem solving skills within the game, and better their technical and tactical abilities so they leave feeling confident in their performance.

US Youth Soccer ODP has continued its tradition of elite competition and player development for more than 30 years, and is the only development program that can claim members of Major League Soccer, the National Women’s Soccer League, and a majority of current and past national and youth national team members as alumni. US Youth Soccer ODP is the nation’s original player identification program, and with programs in all 55 US Youth Soccer State Associations, is available to any player, regardless of hometown or club affiliation. To learn more, visit http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/programs/OlympicDe….

Team Chicago’s 11th Annual MLK Day College Showcase was a huge success with more than 100 players displaying their talents in front of 60+ college coaches. The coaches represented schools at all levels of the college game (NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA, and community colleges) and they came from as far away as Texas A&M-Texarkana.

Division I was well-represented by University of Illinois, University of Iowa, Illinois State University, Western Michigan University, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, Northern Illinois University, Loyola University, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Bowling Green State University, Northern Iowa University, and University of Toledo. And National Champion Grand Valley State University led the list of Division II schools in attendance.

We want to thank all the Team Chicago parents and coaches who volunteered their time to help make the event a huge success. A special thank you goes out to Jamie Boe who once again did a fantastic job organizing the event.

Team Chicago Academy-Nautico defender Emily Curtis has committed to Illinois Wesleyan University, where she will play for Head Coach David Barrett as a part of his 2014 freshman class.

The Titans compete in the NCAA Division III and CCIW Conference. Emily is finishing her 6th year at Team Chicago and will graduate from Benet Academy in June.