
I have visited many of the top Academies and Centers of Excellence around the world and spent time with some of the top clubs including Ajax, Manchester United, Fulham, Aston Villa, Feyenoord and Red Star. Through my discussions with top academy directors and coaches I have developed a curriculum and teaching technique to improve every player who comes through the program. I have put together a staff of top level collegiate player's and will be utilizing members of my UIC staff. They will demonstrate and relate their passion for the game . We welcome the opportunity to improve your son or daughter’s ability as a “Total Soccer Player.”
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Sincerely,
John Trask
Head Coach
UIC Soccer |
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What is a Center of Excellence? | Why be involved with a Center of Excellence? | Dates
How to Enroll |
Environment | Curriculum | Interesting Facts about Coach Trask and UIC Soccer

The idea of a Center of Excellence is to provide players a training environment where they can realize their goals of improving as a “Total Soccer Player.” Top level training along with advanced methods, allows a youth player potential growth in areas that normal team training does not allow. This concept is about the player’s development in all facets of the game. Players will be grouped by ability as well as age to provide the best learning environment for each player. Technical demands put onto players will bring about a better technical and tactical awareness of all participants.

Centers of Excellence are a brand of training developed in Europe and utilized all over the world. Players meet with top level coaches who provide the extra information and training for players who are striving to be the best. To advance as a player, two team training sessions per week does not allow for enough touches of the soccer ball to become a better player. Our training sessions provide that extra opportunity athletes need to stay on top of their game. UIC’s Center of Excellence also provides youth players the opportunity to develop relationships with Division I college soccer players as well as Coach Trask and his first rate staff.

The Center of Excellence Spring Session will consist of nine (9) training sessions. Dates are as follows:

Boys and Girls Junior Session Ages 4 – 12
Fridays
6:15 – 7:45 pm
2/6. 2/13, 2/20, 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27, 4/3
Cost - $210
Boys and Girls Senior Session Ages 13 – 18
Fridays
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27, 4/3
Cost - $210
- Special Group/Team Rates Available -
Contact Soccer Office for Pricing!

You may either enroll online or download and complete the application and parental consent form, and mail that form along with your payment to:
John Trask Total Soccer
PO Box 803170
Chicago, IL 60680-3170
Enroll early as limited on-site reservations will be accepted for the sessions. No telephone reservations are accepted. Those who cannot attend camp for medical or other reasons will be refunded all but a 10% handling fee. If upon applying, the Center of Excellence is full in your age group; our office will notify you immediately. To receive a refund the office must be notified 48 hours prior to registration.

UIC’s athletic facilities provide the perfect training environment for the development of a “Total Soccer Player.” Flames Field and other areas located on UIC’s South Fields, provide multiple outdoor training areas. In addition, the Physical Education Building includes a 60 yd x 70 yd large gym, a small gym and racquetball courts if the weather or curriculum calls for those environments. These training options allow the staff to create unique, challenging and fun training activities for each player.
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Special Emphasis on Higher Level Skill Training |
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Soccer Tennis and other training activities geared toward developing good skill rather than just good technique |
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Individual and Small Group Tactics |
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Transition Training for Speed of Thought and Speed of Play |
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Speed, Agility and Coordination Training |
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Has coached at all levels of soccer in the United States—youth, high school, college and professional |
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Has worked with the U-17 and U-21 US National Teams and scouted for the Men’s National Team |
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Has worked with 7 Big Ten Players of the Year, 15 College All-Americans and 3 Collegiate Players of the Year |
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Has coached 4 Honda MVP’s and 2 Budweiser Scoring Champions in Major League Soccer (MLS) |
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Attendance at UIC Soccer has risen 675% since the start of the 2005 season (Coach Trask’s first at UIC) |
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