Peter Strazdas

I would like to thank the members at the last general membership meeting for electing me your new President. The arm-twisting by several Board members and calls from PSC members were enough encouragement for me to step-up and continue the fine tradition of positive leadership in the PSC. There are so many wonderful and caring people in the Club that donate their time and talents to make the PSC the best in many ways. We have dedicated team coaches and mangers, facilities that are second to none, a first class soccer tournament, and most importantly, a club that offers a positive and rewarding soccer experience to our youth in Portage. The great tradition of soccer in Portage will continue with the new officers and Board of Directors.

As new president, I would be remiss in my responsibilities if I didn’t recognize the outstanding leadership of our outgoing president, David Rice. Dave had several visions for soccer in our southwest Michigan community. The USF and the Portage Soccer Complex were monumental dreams that have become a reality! Dave and Kathi Rice are true champions of soccer in our community and made something very special happen for the youth in our region. I recall many weekends working on the Portage Soccer complex building and Dave and Kathi were always there. They still donate their time generously, and you’ll regularly see Dave there mowing the grass and doing so many of the other things required for a first class facility. Dave is working with me in the transition and it is my intent to keep the momentum moving in the right direction.

To that end, we finished a great fall soccer season, created a new partnership with Soccer Zone, and continue to maintain our responsibilities to the USF and facilities. Many of our teams were very competitive in league and tournament play. This newsletter has a piece on Club team statistics as well as the Portage Huskie and Mustang high school soccer season. Please read another article in this newsletter about opportunities to enhance our mission with a partnership with SoccerZone. Our financial obligations set by the Board of Directors for the USF and facility maintenance is on target.

Finally, I want to express my appreciation to everyone that makes this Club successful. Every player’s parents participate in this success and it starts with each team. Your time spent in the concession stand, transporting your soccer player to practice and good sportsmanship on the sideline makes a difference. Team managers and coaches volunteer a lot of time and add to the positive experience for your child. The Portage Soccer Classic Tournament volunteers and committee make our guest teams welcome and contribute funds toward our financial obligations. The volunteers on the Board of Directors, who spend time each month organizing activities and managing the resources of the Club, deserve extra special thanks.

In closing, I am honored to be the club President for the next three years. My three children who played in the PSC had a great experience. I endeavor to maintain the great tradition of the Portage Soccer Club. With your support, we will continue the quality of the programs in the club and add to the quality of life we all enjoy in Portage.

Bruce Bejcek

Well, another season is in the net, and the PSC has seen many changes over the last few months. The major change that will affect coaches the most is probably the agreement that has been established between the PSC and SoccerZone. As coaches should be aware of by now, SoccerZone, particularly Mike Garrett and Neil Ridgway, have agreed to run instructional clinics for the PSC coaches. There is no charge to the club or the coaches for attending these clinics, and I think I can say for those who attended the first clinic that it was a rousing success. Mike Garrett did a fantastic job. I believe that everyone found something that they could take back to practice, whether they had been coaching for many years or just this fall. I cannot encourage coaches and assistant coaches enough to attend these clinics! Coaching, like many other activities and professions, is dynamic, and those individuals who wish to excel at what they do must continually challenge themselves to acquire new knowledge and possibly different perspectives. Neil and Mike are extremely experienced, having played at the professional level and coached many teams. They have a tremendous track record in developing players who have gone on to play at a higher level. Clinics will be held the first Monday of every month December through March. The next one is on December 1 at 8:30 p.m. on field "C".

The end-of-the-season activities for coaches should include an evaluation of what your team needs to work on for the coming winter and spring. An indoor field for practice sessions is available at SoccerZone for a relatively modest fee ($75/hour). Hopefully by the time that you receive this newsletter, you should have received another email about available times. This is also a good time to evaluate players and have your performance evaluated as well. Forms for both can be found on the manager’s web page (/managers.htm).

There is an E class license clinic scheduled for January 11 and 18 (two consecutive Sundays) to be held at Plainwell Middle School. There should be 50 spaces available on a first come first serve basis. The contact is Chris Keenan (269-329-1501 or chris@kalamazookingdom.com). This clinic is for those individuals who currently do not have any coaching license and who are either currently coaching or wish to coach in the future. The policy of the club is that coaches have until the time of the next tryouts to obtain the appropriate license if they wish to continue coaching with the club. Coaches who are coaching teams in the older age brackets (U12 and older) should also have a D class license by the time of the next years tryouts. Other clubs and organizations offer a variety of E and D clinics; please check on the MSYSA web site for further information (www.msysa.net). NSCAA licenses may substitute for these requirements.

Peter Strazdas

• A commitment from SoccerZone to provide prime time for practice and training use by PSC – the discount rate per session is $75 and should break down to an affordable $5 per player, per session (approximately).

• Club uniforms and equipment are provided at a fixed discount rate and each player in the club will receive a discount card for use at SoccerZone’s Back of the Net Sports retail outlet. This card will give each player a 15% discount off non-sale items and on all PSC purchases. SoccerZone will donate a portion back to the club.

• SoccerZone will partner with PSC in offering a minimum of six coaching clinics throughout the course of the winter at no charge to PSC.

• SoccerZone will provide discounts to PSC teams for indoor tournaments (25%) and all PSC players will receive a discount (10%) on all camps and instructional programs at SoccerZone.

• SoccerZone will offer a three-day "mini camp" for fall PSC teams free of charge that will culminate in a futsal tournament at SoccerZone.

• SoccerZone will work with PSC to conduct a fundraising event with a goal of PSC generating / realizing $2,000 from the event.

• SoccerZone will discount the Premier Player Academy for club players by $100 and provide a $25 per player sponsorship back to the club for each club participant.

• PSC will continue to have the use of SoccerZone outdoor fields and indoor facility in conjunction with the Portage Tournament – at no charge.

• PSC commitment to indoor play at SoccerZone.

David Rice

The 18th Annual Portage Soccer Classic Tournament will be held the weekend of June 12-13, 2004. The Tournament is our opportunity to showcase our first class soccer facility and extend hospitality to our many visitors. The 2003 tournament hosted 106 teams and thousands of soccer players and fans over that one June weekend. We are hoping to grow the tournament in 2004 and build upon our past success.

Did you know that the tournament is the number one fundraiser the club has? Over the past two years the tournament raised $28,000 all of which was used to pay down the principal on the soccer complex mortgage. During the construction of the complex the tournament contributed $272,000 allowing building to begin sooner. For those keeping count that’s $300,000 or nearly 25% of the cost of our new home.

The tournament wouldn’t be a success without the efforts of the entire club. While the tournament committee organizes the event, it takes hundreds of volunteers working together on that special weekend. Each PSC family will be asked to volunteer several hours that weekend. When your team manager contacts you please answer the call and help us make our 18th tournament the best ever!

Steve Benoit

Parent Reps serve as the liaison between the members of Portage Soccer Club and the Board. Any concerns or comments parents would like the Board to consider or be aware of should be communicated through your team's parent rep. This year's Parent Reps are Betty Trebing, Dave Perry, and Steve Benoit. Their contact information, and teams they represent, are listed below. You can also find this information on the PSC website at /contact1.htm.

Betty Trebing has a daughter, Melissa, who has played with the Portage Soccer Club for the past three years. Betty has served as the manager for Melissa's team for each of those three years. Melissa is currently playing in the U12 division on Blake Glass' team.

Dave Perry has a son playing on Dave Rice's U15 team and for Portage Central High School. He coaches his youngest daughter’s AYSO team and also referees in that program. He and his wife PJ have been involved with the PSC since moving here five years ago.

Steve Benoit has a daughter, Emily, playing on Scott Williams' and Jon Kucinski's U15 team, and a son, Will, playing on Deryl Myers' U12 team. Steve and his family have been members of PSC for the past six seasons.

Bob Lopez

I would like to update the club as to the status of the different financial accounts that I oversee for the club, including their purpose and current balance. They are as follows:

• General Operations Account

• Portage Community Soccer Complex Account

• Fundraising Account

• Portage Soccer Classic Tournament account

If you have any questions concerning the club’s financial status, please contact Bob Lopez (324-0708).

David Rice

Most of us have visited the concession stand at the Portage Soccer Complex. Maybe it was to purchase refreshments, a meal or just to hang out with friends. Many of our PSC parents have volunteered to work a shift or two selling items and cleaning the facility.

You might wonder what happens to the monies raised at the stand? The concession stand profits are part of our fundraising account and are earmarked to reduce the mortgage and pay for capital improvements.

During the spring 2003 season the joint operation of the concession stand by the PSC and A.Y.S.O. Region 74 yielded a profit of which $10,000 was used to reduce the mortgage. Thank you Region 74 for your generosity and support!

The smooth operation of the concession stand is due to the hard work of our Board Members who supervise the stand, PSC parents who volunteer their time and several individuals who go above and beyond the call of duty. Kathy Brown and Beth Elliston both stand out for the many hours they dedicate to its operation. Thank you for a job well done!

David Rice

With the fall season over our thoughts turn to indoor soccer, other sports or maybe a time of rest and relaxation. It too is a time for the fields to rest. But before the fields can enjoy a long winter’s rest there was much to do.

Once the games were over the goal nets and flags were taken down and stored, trash barrels brought in and the irrigation system winterized. The fields were aerated with a new aerator purchased from Steensma Power Equipment. The folks at Steensma generously lent us a tractor to complete this all day project. With aeration done we began topdressing low areas on the fields with soil and grass seed. Finally, our mowers and vehicle were cleaned and stored.

With the outside work done, the building was ready for winterizing. The floors were scrubbed, plumbing lines drained and equipment disconnected.

All of this could not have been accomplished without the efforts of our volunteer maintenance crew. Thanks to John Calnin, Mike Flynn, Verne Genisio and Gordon Groves. Put your feet up and rest. It won’t be long until spring is here!

Kathy Brown

Portage Soccer Club is enrolled in the new Meijer Community Rewards Program. A Meijer Guest Card or Meijer Credit Card is used instead of pre-purchased paper certificates to earn rewards. If you don’t want another credit card, sign up for the Guest Card.

Please join Meijer Community Rewards today! It’s free and can be easily done on-line at Meijer.com/rewards. Just complete the on-line form with PSC’s code number, 103058, and your card will be mailed to you within a few weeks.

Once you receive your Meijer Guest Card, please use it every time you shop at Meijer. Earnings are eligible on more than 150,000 items. Simply have the cashier scan your card before the transaction is complete. You may pay for your purchase any way you choose: cash, check or charge. PSC will receive a check every month based upon a percentage of your purchases. There is no cost to you. The more you shop, the more you earn for PSC.

A special "thank you" to the families who are currently participating in the Meijer Community Rewards Program. Total earnings for September were $44 as we’re just transitioning to this from the Meijer paper certificates. (note added in proof: October earnings were $227, and with your help we can keep on "growing" this program)

All proceeds will benefit the Portage Soccer Community Complex. Please share this information with your relatives, friends, neighbors and co-workers. The more people who participate in this program, the more we can earn! This is as easy as it gets.

Kathy Brown

The PSC Certificate Program is an on-going fundraiser that DOES NOT REQUIRE THE SELLING OF ANY PRODUCTS! PSC earns a percentage on all certificate purchases. This program provides a simple and convenient way to raise funds for the complex, and you don’t spend any more money than you would anyway.

MEIJER COMMUNITY AWARDS – PSC Code Number 103058

Sign up on-line at Meijer.com/rewards. Use card every time you shop. Have cashier scan card before transaction is complete. Pay with cash, check or charge. There is no cost to you. PSC earns monthly reward.

HARDING’S - $50 Cards

Redeemable at any Harding’s or Harding’s Marketplace.

KOHL’S - $25 Cards

Redeemable at any Kohl’s store, may be used over multiple visits and to make payments on your Kohl’s charge account.

APPLEBEE’S - $10 Cards

Redeemable at any Applebee’s in the United States.

GODFATHER’S PIZZA - $10 Certificates

Redeemable at Centre, Cork, West Main and Dunes Plaza in Michigan City, IN.

BIG APPLE BAGELS - $10 Book

Redeemable at Centre Street location. No cash refunds over $1.

You may purchase certificates at the Concession Stand during weekend games or from the Program Coordinator nearest you.

Kathy Brown Colony Woods 372-2240

Beth Elliston Amberly/Colony Woods 375-1817

Judy Hayes West Middle School Area 327-9072

Jennifer Schatz Woodbridge Hills 321-8345

Sharon Wenglinski Austin Lake 323-2672

· Certificates are great gifts!

· Purchase HARDING’S, KOHL’S, APPLEBEE’S, GODFATHER’S PIZZA or BIG APPLE BAGELS certificates BEFORE you shop or dine.

· It’s an even exchange of money – dollar for dollar. Write a check for $200 and you receive $200 worth of certificates.

· There is inventory of all certificates.

· If 200 families participate at an average of $400 per month at an average of a 5% discount, we can earn $48,000 per year!

Please take a moment to promote and share this information with your relatives, friends, neighbors and co-workers. Every purchase will help increase our profits! Thank you.

During the Fall 2002 season, a number of Portage teams captured first or second place honors in league play. Several of these teams played in the more competitive Elite league, which features top teams from WMYSA (our league), GVSA (West Michigan including Grand Rapids and the Muskegon/Holland area) and CASL (Central Michigan including the Lansing area). Congratulations to all PSC teams in all leagues who competed well each week and improved markedly during the course of the fall season. Congratulations especially to the following teams.

Boys U10A Knue 2^nd place 5-1-2

Boys U11A Al-Khamis 1^st place 5-0-3

Boys U12 Elite Myers 2^nd place 4-3-1

Girls U12 Elite Glass 1^st place 5-0-3

Girls U15 Elite Williams 1^st place 7-0-1

Kathy Brown

Portage Soccer Club and AYSO Region 74 families are being offered an opportunity to make a "lasting impression" at the Portage Community Soccer Complex with personalized bricks. Just imagine your family name or the name of your favorite soccer player(s) permanently displayed at the new complex!

The engraved bricks will be installed on a first-come-first-serve basis. Your message may contain three lines (maximum) with up to 15 characters per line (including spaces). The price per brick is $50. All proceeds will benefit the new Portage Community Soccer Complex.

A special thanks to the families who participated in this program. The second group of 50 bricks is ready to be engraved and will be installed for spring viewing.

Please consider making your "lasting impression" today. Visit portagesoccer.com to obtain an order form or call Kathy Brown at 372-2240.

Kathy Brown

Thank you for your participation in the Uniroyal Soccer Program. Uniroyal Tire and Kzoo Tire Company have donated funds and equipment as part of a nationwide youth soccer program. In addition to scores of players receiving a free soccer ball, Portage Soccer Club earned $200 from the Fall 2003 Uniroyal Soccer Program fundraiser.

"This is such a great program because everyone benefits. The players get free soccer balls, the league receives funds and we have the opportunity to meet new families," said Dave Foley of Kzoo Tire Company. "This community has really been good to us, so we were thrilled to work with the Portage Soccer Club to give something back."

Uniroyal Tire has completed its seventh season as a major sponsor of youth soccer, and the impact of its support keeps growing – with 250,000 free soccer balls given to families and a total donation of $3.5 million in funds and equipment. In addition to working with its dealers across the nation in supporting local youth soccer leagues, Uniroyal is also the title sponsor of Uniroyal Tire TOPSoccer, a US Youth Soccer program that helps children with mental and physical disabilities get involved in the sport.

Sunday January 11 PSC Board Meeting

Sunday February 1 PSC Board Meeting

Sunday March 7 PSC Board Meeting

Sunday April 18 PSC Board Meeting

Sunday May 2 PSC Board Meeting

Sunday June 6 PSC Board Meeting

Sat - Sun June 12 - 13 Portage Soccer Classic Tournament

Mon-Thu June 21-24 Portage Soccer Club Tryouts

Board meetings are held at 7:00 pm usually on the first Sunday of each month at Cornerstone Construction Management on Center just west of Shaver. These meetings are open to any Club member.

Norman Jansen

Both Portage high schools had good seasons in Division 1 this fall. Portage Central had a fine record of 17-6-1 including big wins over conference opponents Northern and Mattawan before ending their season as District Finalist. Portage Northern used the loss to its cross-town rival to regroup and run off 17 straight wins including the SMAC title and District Championship. Northern’s record was 21-4-0 and their season ended in the regional semifinals. For two relatively small Division 1 schools, that’s very good soccer and congratulations are due both teams. In addition, players from both schools were accorded post-season honors including Steve Hecker, who was selected for the state’s "Dream Team" for the second year in a row. Hecker finished second in the voting for "Mr. Soccer" in Michigan.

Eric Alexander

Ryan Brown

Steve Hecker

Jeff Jackson

Scott MacDonald

Tommy McCurdy

Brent Medema

Michael Parke

Andrew Rice

Tyler Young

Eric Carnes

Tim Granaderos

Luke Thurston

Eric Alexander

Eric Carnes

Steve Hecker

Jeff Jackson

Scott MacDonald

Tommy McCurdy

Brent Medema

Michael Parke

Tyler Young

Eric Alexander

Eric Carnes

Steve Hecker

Scott MacDonald

Brent Medema

Michael Parke

First Team- Steve Hecker

Second Team- Brent Medema

Third Team- Eric Alexander and Michael Parke

Honorable Mention- Scott MacDonald and Eric Carnes