The Official Site of U.S. Soccer - Development Academy

CHICAGO (May 16, 2008) - When Crossfire Premier SC (Kirkland, Wash.) kicked off the inaugural Development Academy season in the fall of 2007, the club leadership decided to expand their services beyond the soccer field and into the classroom. With players training four days a week and traveling overnight on weekends, the club felt a responsibility to create an academic program to assist the Academy athletes with their studies.

“As a soccer club, we’re uniquely positioned to give the athletes a study hall, better study habits, and college counseling,” said Brian Klein, Crossfire Premier President. “I think we owe these kids more than just a soccer program.”

With Scott Rowe, a full-time schoolteacher, heading the tutoring and Gary Whitehouse providing college counseling, the Crossfire Premier boys have a solid support system to help them in all facets of academic life. Athletes can receive assistance in applying for financial aid, contacting college soccer coaches, writing essays and scheduling SAT test dates.

The optional study hall, tutoring and counseling are available every Wednesday before practice in a clubhouse adjacent to the training ground. While some Seattle-area organizations donated money, others donated computers and a local IT technician donated his time and skills to keep the clubhouse prepared and up-to-date for the young athletes.

For two players on the Crossfire Premier, the counseling and tutoring helped them raise their grade point averages and gain acceptance into local colleges.

“One of our athletes was doing poorly in school with a 1.8 GPA,” said Klein. “Through the counseling, he’s going to get a full scholarship to a college in his home town and be the first person in his family to go to college in the U.S.”

The club has also scheduled campus visits to coincide with their weekend Academy trips, including stops at the University of California San Diego, the University of Denver and Stanford University.

In their first year of the Academy program, Crossfire Premier has already seen success in the classrooms as well as on the field. Looking forward to the coming year, the team has set goals for expanding the program and its resources.

“It was optional this year and our players, particularly the ones who needed it, have used this,” said Klein. “We’re probably going to make it mandatory for any student who has less than a B average and our next goal is to roll out the tutoring to everyone in our club.”

Crossfire’s next games will be played at the upcoming Academy Spring Showcase in Rockford, Ill., on May 23, 24 and 26 against Richmond Strikers (Glen Allen, VA), Clearwater Chargers (Clearwater, FL) and Albertson SC (Manhasset Hills, NY).

U-15/16 Age Group

Saturday, May 17
Home vs. Away
Chivas USA vs. Real So Cal
U.S. Youth National Team vs. Atlanta Fire United
FC Portland vs. Colorado Rapids
South Central Premier vs. FC Delco
FC Milwaukee vs. Clearwater Chargers SC
FC Westchester vs. Baltimore Bays
Met Oval vs. New York Red Bulls
Chicago Magic vs. Schulz Academy
Sockers FC vs. IMG Soccer Academy
Nomads SC vs. Pateadores
Columbus Crew vs. Vardar
Match Fit Academy vs. FC Greater Boston
DC United vs. Albertson SC
Potomac vs. B/W Gottschee
Metro United vs. Scott Gallagher
DeAnza Force vs. Washington Premier FC
Ohio Elite SA vs. Michigan Wolves
Oakwood vs. PA Classics
PDA vs. Seacoast United
LAFC vs. Arsenal FC

Sunday, May 18
Home vs. Away
FC Milwaukee vs. IMG Soccer Academy
Ohio Elite vs. Vardar
PDA vs. FC Greater Boston
Columbus Crew vs. Michigan Wolves
Sockers FC vs. Clearwater Chargers SC
FC Portland vs. De Anza Force
South Central Premier vs. PA Classics
Chicago Fire vs. Schulz Academy
Potomac vs. Albertson SC
DC United vs. B/W Gottschee
San Diego Surf vs. Pateadores
U.S. Youth National Team vs. Concorde Fire
Atlanta Fire United vs. Birmingham United
Met Oval vs. Baltimore Bays
Oakwood vs. FC Delco
Nomads SC vs. Irvine Strikers
Match Fit Academy vs. Seacoast United
Carmel United vs. Internationals
Empire United vs. CASA
Greensboro SC vs. North Meck

U-17/18 Age Group