Club News

Below is an archive of news items which have appeared on our home page, back issues of the club newsletter, Kickin ' It! and old news items.

Kickin' It Back Issues

Old News...archived web site news stories

FIRE PLAYERS EARN BAC SCHOLARSHIPS (5/21/08)
Each year the Burnsville Athletic Club awards five scholarships to graduating seniors who have participated in youth sports in our community. This year four of the five recipients cited soccer as one of the sports they played! Congratulations to Nathan Eisenbreis, Evan Walker, Andrew Youngman and Allison Bergquist. Good luck next year at college!

GET YOUR DAUGHTERS OFF THE COUCH! (5/15/08)
New research shows exercise during the teen years — starting as young as age 12 — can help protect girls from breast cancer when they're grown. "This really points to the benefit of sustained physical activity from adolescence through the adult years, to get the maximum benefit," said Dr. Graham Colditz of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, the study's lead author. To read the full article from yesterdays's Star Tribune, click here!

MASSACHUSETTS VIDEO FOR PARENTS (3/7/08)
The Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association has posted an excellent video on how to make your child's soccer experience a better one. Only 25 minutes long it mixes footage shot behind the parent's sideline at youth soccer games with commentary from youth referees and youth players on how parents could help to make the game more enjoyable for everyone. Have a look at https://www.mayouthsoccer.org/video/attitudes.wmv

PORTRAIT OF PASSION CLUB DISCOUNT (3/6/08)
Soccer Fair attendees had a unique opportunity to view pictures from the brand new book "Portrait of Passion" and meet photographer Paul Phillips, who traveled with the US Women's National Team at the 2007 Women's World Cup in China. This 148-page book brings to life and celebrates triumphant stories from a very talented, accomplished and inspirational group of female athletes—the players on the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team. It is full of pictures of today's great players—Abby Wambach, Kristine Lilly, Heather O'Reilly, Christie Rampone and more. Some of the pictures are from the player's days growing up. But most are dramatic game action and candid shots off the field. These unguarded moments show another view of sports personalities rarely seen. In-depth interviews with each of the players on the 2007 team reveal what it's like to be a top athlete in the world arena, creating insight into the lives of these special players. Discover what it means to grow up with a dream, and what kind of passion it takes to make that dream a reality. "Portrait of Passion" probes into the women's past, painting portraits of their childhoods and families, their friends and pastimes, and goals beyond soccer. The reader is drawn into the lives of players like Lori Chalupny, Hope Solo, Leslie Osborne and Natasha Kai to learn what makes them tick and what motivates them to reach for their peak performance during games, practice and training. It's a story of passion that knows no bounds.

The club has arranged for all our players and their friends to receive $5 off each book purchased! When you order, please use club code Burns38. When you get to the final sceen use coupon code Fire38. Choose to have the book shipped directly to you, or save even more by having the book mailed to the club (you can pick it up at our monthly board meeting) and you will save on shipping too! To order the book now, go to www.portraitofpassion.com/order or click on the picture at right in our Quick Links!

MIKE WARTER COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP (2/20/08)
Each year the Mike Warter College Scholarship is awarded to one female and one male graduating high school senior who is registered with an MYSA affiliated soccer club. A $500 tuition award is given to each winner to be used toward expenses at an accredited college, university or community college. Applications must be received no later than Friday, April 25, 2008 in order to be considered. For more information, please visit www.mnyouthsoccer.org/programs/grants_scholar.cfm

NEW LEAGUE TO LAUNCH AS WOMEN'S PROFESSIONAL SOCCER (1/30/08)
The new women’s soccer league in the United States will be called Women’s Professional Soccer (www.womensprosoccer.com). The seven-team league ( Los Angeles, Dallas, St. Louis, Chicago, New Jersey/ New York, Boston and Washington, DC) will start play in 2009. The navy, red and gold logo features the silhouette of retired Women’s National Team striker Mia Hamm. The President of the league’s Chicago franchise, Peter Wilt, said in the statement that WPS would be “the premier women’s soccer league in the world, and the global standard by which women’s professional sports are measured.

4TH ANNUAL GIRLS COLLEGE-PREP SOCCER CLINIC (1/28/08)
This summer MYSA will be conducting the 4th Annual Girls College-Prep Soccer Clinic. The purpose of the clinic is to allow players the opportunity to train with and compete in front of some of the top Minnesota College Coaches. As of today, the following colleges will be represented at the clinic: College of St. Catherine, MN State-Moorhead, U of M-Duluth, Carleton College, Bethel College, St. Olaf College, U of M-Morris, University of St. Thomas, College of St. Benedict, Augsburg College, SW MN State University, Crown College, U of MN-Crookston, College of St. Scholastica, Gustavus Adolphus College, Bemidji State University, and Hamline University.
 
This clinic is open to all MYSA registered girls entering 10th, 11th, and 12th Grade during the fall of 2008. All field sessions will be conducted by local college coaches. In addition to the field sessions, lecture sessions will provide participants with valuable information regarding the recruiting/application process they will experience as potential collegiate athletes.

For more information download the flyer/application by clicking here, or contact Chad Moore at 612/986-2488 or moorefutbol10@yahoo.com

OLYMPIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Boys and girls born in 1991, 1992 or 1993 are eligible for participation in the 2008 Minnesota US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program. The program is open to all players; however, competition for selection is very tough. Registration may be conducted online at www.mnyouthsoccer.org/preregistrationodp.cfm

STAR TRIBUNE FEATURE STORY ON THE COULTERS (12/21/07)
The Minneapolis Star Tribune is publishing a lengthy story on the ordeal of the Coulter family, survivors of the 35W bridge collapse. Both daughters, Brandi and Brianna, were BHS varsity soccer players. This article gives a dramatic and detailed account of the events of that terrible day.
Installment 1 | Installment 2 | Installment 3 | Audio Slide Show

SLEEP IS IMPORTANT! (11/28/07)
NBC recently presented a story on the importance of kids getting 9 1/2 hours of sleep per night in the early grades. Less sleep alters their metabolism and appetite and makes obesity much more likely. The information is based on an article in the journal "Pediatrics." To see the story, click here.

TONY ENGLUND JOINS BFSC AS DIRECTOR OF COACHING (11/14/07)
The Burnsville Fire Soccer Club (BFSC) is proud to announce that Tony Englund is joining the club as Director of Coaching.  Tony comes to us from the Woodbury Soccer Club, where he was also Director of Coaching for the past three years.  Under his leadership Woodbury has grown into one of the biggest and strongest clubs in the state.  The energy and organization and expertise that Tony will bring to our club promise exciting times and new heights of excellence ahead.

As a college coach at Hamline University, Tony’s women’s team set school records for wins, conference finish and goal differential.  As a high school coach at Hill-Murray, Tony’s girl’s team finished undefeated and he was named the MSHSSA Coach of the Year.  As a youth coach, Tony has led Woodbury’s Under-17 girls to 15 titles in the past four years and the Premier League championship last year.

Tony holds eleven NSCAA licenses, including the Premier Diploma and National Goalkeeping Level III Diploma.  He holds an MA in European History from the University of Minnesota.

The top priority is to complete the Summer 2008 team formation process, and Tony is working hard on the existing information to finalize our teams by the end of the month.

FIRE PLAYERS RECEIVE MSHSL HONORS (11/5/07)
Congrats to the following Fire current and alumni players who were honored for their play this Fall in Minnesota State High School league action...

All-State: Tamara Strahota, Toye Famodu

All-State Honorable Mention: Taylor Allen, Brianna Rick, Ahmed Gobana

All-Conference: Ahmed Gobana, Jim Karageorgiou, Jesse Klein, Abdi Yusuf, Tamara Strahota, Lauren DiGregorio, Brianna Rick, Janika Hemmingson

All-Conference Honorable Mention: Paul Armstrong, Eric Langmaack, Jack Reimer Bea Soderholm, Emily Lowry, Ariel Mackley, Jessica Rick

All-Academic: Nate Graden, Alex Peterson, Tristyn Walczak, Emily Lowry

MSHSL Silver Spotlight Award: Katie Flakne

CARL CRAIG TO LEAVE BURNSVILLE FIRE SOCCER CLUB (10/26/07)
The Burnsville Fire Soccer Club (BFSC) and Director of Coaching, Carl Craig jointly announce that Carl Craig will be leaving his duties as our DOC to take an exciting position as coach/trainer at the prestigious Shattuck School Soccer Academy, in Faribault, Minnesota. Shattuck offers a unique world-class soccer-training environment for high school aged athletes. Carl Craig will be a valuable addition to its staff. This is a mutually agreed parting and the club wishes Carl the best in these endeavors.

Current Assistant Director of Coaching Jon Poppen will take over the DOC duties on an acting basis until further notice. Jon has been a long time coach in the BFSC and the Assistant DOC for the last several years. Jon is also the head varsity coach at Shakopee High School. Jon's initial duties will be to coordinate winter training for Fire athletes and complete the team and coaching assignment process.

HATE JOGGING? PLAY SOCCER! (9/21/07)
A friendly game of soccer works off more fat and builds up more muscle than jogging, new research shows. Danish scientists selected 37 men with similar health profiles, ages 31 to 33, and split them into groups of soccer players, joggers and couch potatoes. After 12 weeks, researchers found that the body fat percentage in the soccer players dropped by 3.7 percent, compared with about 2 percent for the joggers. The soccer players also increased their muscle mass by almost 4.5 pounds, whereas the joggers didn't have any significant change. The couch potatoes -- not surprisingly -- ended the three-month study in the worst shape. The soccer players felt less tired after exercising than the joggers because they were having more fun. The soccer players got a better workout because of intense bursts of activity. The study, led by Dr. Peter Krustrup, head of Copenhagen University's department of exercise and sport sciences, found that at times, soccer players' hearts were pumping at 90 percent their full capacity. The joggers' hearts were never pushed as hard.(Associated Press in Star Tribune)

SOCCER MOM'S OPINIONS NEEDED (8/15/07)
MYSA continues to assist in cutting-edge research in youth sport psychology by partnering with the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport. For more information on how you or a soccer mom you know may participate please visit ww.mnyouthsoccer.org/whatsnew/sports_psych.cfm

FIRE ROCKS THE ODP POOL!! (7/17/07)
Congrats to Hannah Keirstead, Tiana Khamvongsa, Raven Klein, Natalie Muench, Sarah Poythress, Britta Riggs, Abby Soderholm and Emily Stock who all were selected to attend the 1995 Girls ODP Region Camp from July 13-16, 2007 in DeKalb, Illinois! For those scoring at home, that means that 8 of the 50 girls (16%) selected were Fire players. Congrats also to Emily Lowry of the '92 pool.

DISTRICT SELECT/OLYMPIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (7/14/07)
The District Select Program is open to all players born 1994-1996 and includes four (4) training sessions and two (2) one-day festivals. At the conclusion of the process, a pool of approximately 36 players for each age group and gender will be identified for further training and potential selection to a regional camp in July 2008. District Select offers an ideal opportunity for players to sample the program without the pressure of a traditional tryout situation. Registration is now open and sessions begin after Labor Day weekend. For more details on the program and to register please visit: www.mnyouthsoccer.org/preregistrationds.cfm

CARL CRAIG JOINS FIRE AS DIRECTOR OF COACHING (6/6/07)
For the past 8 years, the Burnsville Fire Soccer Club has been honored to have Dan Houck serve as its Director of Coaching. Besides being a talented coach, it was something special to have a Burnsville native, who grew up playing in our community before building a professional career with the Minnesota Thunder and in Europe, return to lead the very recreational and competitive programs that gave him such a solid foundation. Sadly, new business opportunities have set Dan on a different path, and he is stepping down as our Director of Coaching. His passion for Burnsville soccer and skill in teaching “The Beautiful Game” will be missed.

It is with great pleasure the club would like to introduce you to our new Director of Coaching, Carl Craig. Craig is a native of Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Craig holds the USSF ‘A’ License and National Youth Instructors License, The UEFA ‘A’ License, FA Advanced License (Full Badge) as well as coaching diploma’s from FIGC (Italian Soccer Federation) and NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association of America).
 
Prior to his arrival to Minnesota in 1995, Craig worked with the Northumberland FA and was involved in the overall development of community based soccer initiatives through out the North East region of England.  In addition, he also spent time coaching some of England’s top young talent in the excellence programs of Sheffield Wednesday and Newcastle United as well as delivering Coach Education courses for The Football Association. Since 1995, he has served as a Region 2 Staff Coach and as a Head Coach for the Minnesota Boys ODP program. He has coached the Minnesota Thunder reserve teams and is currently a Staff Coach and instructor with the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association.
 
Carl is already out and about working with players. Please take a moment to introduce yourself and welcome him to our community. You will find his passion and enthusiasm infectious and be amazed by his knowledge of the game and ability to instill it in players. Bringing Carl to the Fire family is a real coup, and we could not be more excited to have him join us.

TACTICAL SITUATIONS TESTS NOW AT NSCAA.COM (5/16/07)
In 1988, German coach T.K. Trapp administered a 30-question quiz he had designed to a group of U.S. National Staff coaches. The objective was to examine and make the correct tactical decisions in each of the diagrammed situations. Eugene Chyzowych provided a copy of the test to Soccer Journal, where it ran as a six-part installment. This proved to be a highly popular feature, so much so that coaches were encouraged to offer their own contributions. The response was tremendous, building the library to nearly 200 tactical situations, which came to be known as "Quizzies." NSCAA.com is pleased to announce that these "Quizzies" are now available as an online resource for coaches and players to help develop their situational awareness and decision-making skills. Each situation is presented as a diagram. Participants are given 20 seconds to choose the best solution of four presented for the situation. Studies have shown that outstanding soccer players make as many as 10 decisions per minute of a match. Each situation is presented as a diagram, and 20 seconds are given to make the correct tactical decision. CLICK HERE to view the tests.

SHOW YOUR FIRE PRIDE WITH CAR FLAGS, WINDOW STICKERS OR WINDOW PAINT! (5/3/07)
Now you can fly the club colors just like Vikings, Wild and other sports fans! The club has partnered with SoccerClubCarFlags.com to offer our members the opportunity to buy quality club flags in either black or gold that attach to your car window to let everyone know you are "On FIRE!!" In addition to car flags, you can purchase window stickers with the club logo, or different colors of window paint markers to really dress up your vehicle. Get all three for the best value! To check them out, check out the Quick Link we have set up or go to www.SoccerClubCarFlags.com and choose "Minnesota" from the State menu and then choose the club and either black or gold. Go Fire!

SHEILA KEMPF BENEFIT FUND (1/31/07)
Long-time Fire coach and players Sheila, Maddy and Kenzie Kempf lost their home, their dog and their possessions in a tragic fire this morning. A benefit fund ("Sheila Kempf Benefit Fund") is accepting donations at First Community Bank, 14141 Glendale Ave, Savage, MN 55378.

In addition to donations to the benefit fund, the family is in need of clothing for the girls in sizes 6 and 10, and for son Luke in size 4. In addition to clothing, friends of the family are collecting toys, books, toiletries, etc. Donations can be dropped off with the Donchetz family at 13557 Lynn Ave S, Savage (952-894-9129). Any help for this family who has literally lost everything is much appreciated.

BURNSVILLE FIRE TO HOST REFEREE CLINICS (1/8/07)
The Fire continues to be a leader in the South District, hosting four separate referee clinics this Spring. All clinics will be hosted at Burnsville City Hall and run on Saturdays, from 8am-5pm. Brand new referees should consider the entry-level Grade 9 Clinic (3/10) which will allow them to center u9 and u10 games as serve as assistant referees on other games. Brand new referees who want to be able to work as center referees on u11 and older games should take the two-day Grade 8 Clinic (3/17 & 3/24). Current Grade 9 Referees looking to upgrade to Grade 8 should take the Bridge Clinic (3/10). On April 14th we will host Recertification Clinics for those looking to renew their existing licenses, one for those with 3 years or less of experience, and one for those with more than 3 years experience. Attendance at ANY of these clinics requires pre-registration with the State Referee Committee. Please visit their web site at www.minnesotasrc.org

FIRE COACHES COMPLETE CERTIFICATION...CONGRATS!! (1/25/07)
Congratulations to all the Burnsville Fire coaches who successfully upgraded their licensure this off-season. Their dedication to the craft of coaching is appreciated by the players, parents and leadership of the club. Earning their USSF State "D" License were Todd Stebleton and Don Christner. Earning their USSF "E" License were Tim Blahnik, Gary Copley, Duey Helle, Jim Katzmarek, Steve Hermansen, Brett Keirstead, Stacey McGuire, Brian Nacey, Dana Slade and John Soderholm. Well done, coaches!!

MIKE WARTER SCHOLARSHIP (1/7/07)
Each year the Mike Warter College Scholarship is awarded to one female and one male graduating high school senior who is registered with an MYSA affiliated soccer club. A $500 tuition award is given to each winner to be used toward expenses at an accredited college, university or community college. Applications must be received no later than Friday, April 27, 2007 in order to be considered. For more information, please visit www.mnyouthsoccer.org/programs/grants_scholar.cfm.

OLYMPIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (1/7/07)
Boys and girls born in 1990, 1991 or 1992 are eligible for participation in the 2007 Minnesota US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program. The program is open to all players; however, competition for selection is very tough. Registration may be done online at www.mnyouthsoccer.org/preregistrationodp.cfm

BURNSVILLE FIRE GEAR ON SALE AT SOCCER USA (12/23/06)
In addition to the official kit, the club has arranged for Soccer USA to offer several additional club items for those players and teams interested in looking as sharp off the field as they do on it! The Diadora Serie A warmup top matches the Serie A jersey.  Available in either a warmup top or sweatshirt top with the Primato pant for just $63.95. The Serie A sweatshirt top is also available for $36.50 Diadora also makes a player backpack and sack pack in both gold and black, to hold all that smelly soccer gear! The backpack goes for $24.95 and the sack pack is just $7.50. Teams desiring a third jersey or training top may purchase a white Sfida jersey, constructed from the same DiaDry material as the kit. The Sfida costs $19.95 plain, or $22.45 with logo & number. Get your black and gold on! Click here to download a flyer with pictures of the gear.

SUMMER 2007 COMPETITIVE UNIFORMS ANNOUNCED (12/23/06)
The Burnsville Fire Soccer Club is pleased to announce that the official uniform of our 2007 Competitive teams is the Diadora Serie A. In addition to the Serie A jersey and shorts, both black with gold and white trim, the kit will include an alternate jersey, the solid gold Sfida (pictured below) and a pair of Diadora socks.  The Serie A and Sfida are made from Diadora’s extraordinary DiaDry fabric, and will be the most comfortable jerseys in club history.  The cost for the entire kit will be just $74. At the end of the season we will solicit feedback from our players and families in deciding whether to keep this kit for another year or move to a new one.  Please choose your size to allow for two seasons of wear. Click here to download a flyer with pictures of the gear.

Soccer USA in Burnsville will be our vendor for this brand new uniform.  All Competitive players must go to Soccer USA between January 6 and January 31 to order their kit directly.  We cannot guarantee that orders placed after 1/31/07 will be here in time for the season. Soccer USA will have a full run of the uniforms on hand for choosing the right size.  Players will have an opportunity to choose their jersey number at the time they place the order.  Every player on the team must have a unique number, so go early to get the number of your choice. Please note, Soccer USA accepts only check or cash for uniform orders, no credit cards!  Uniforms are scheduled for delivery by April 1, 2007.

FIREfit BROCHURE AVAILABLE (12/23/06)
The four pillars of the complete soccer player are technical skill, tactical acumen, psychological strength and physical fitness. What FIREfeet can do for your technical ability, FIREfit can do for your physical capability. The club had established a partnership with the brand new Velocity Sports Performance facility in Burnsville to offer our players access to world-class coaches and unparalleled resources. Located in the former Midwest Volleyball Warehouse building a block south of the Rose Park soccer fields, Velocity will knock your socks off!

All Burnsville Fire players are entitled to one free training session at Velocity, call them at 952-435-7778 to arrange your free session; you could even make it a team event! If you like what you see, work with Velocity to staff to design a training program that meets your unique needs and schedule. Sessions are offered 6 days a week, and you can choose the days and times that work best for you. Velocity offers 12 or 26 session packages, as well as 6 or 12 month unlimited use packages. As a Burnsville Fire player, you get discounts from $87-$1,100!! Click here to download the 2007 FIREfit brochure.

TOURNAMENT VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT (12/13/06)
The club is currently seeking a few parents willing to serve in leadership roles in our annual tournament. The Burnsville FIREcup will be July 6-8, 2007 and a variety of committees are seeking Assistant Chairs. Click here to see the full list. We are also seeking new tournament logo designs. If you are interested, please contact Tournament Director Steve Hermansen, firecup@burnsvillefire.org

DID YOU KNOW? (12/22/06)
Michael Lochner of Bexley High School, Ohio, is credited with the longest soccer throw-in measuring 158 feet, 0.4 inches, set in June 1998. To put that in perspective, Field #1 at North River Hills is 150 feet long!!

HARVEST FEST CHAMPIONS! (10/25/06)
Congratulations to the u13c2 girls and u12c3 boys teams who traveled down to Rochester and fought their way to Harvest Fest championships!

HOW TO BE GREAT (10/21/06)
Quite simply, deliberate practice. You do not have to be "born with it" or have great natural gifts to achieve success in anything. From Tiger Woods to Michael Jordan, there is a common denominator...lots and lots of deliberate practice. Deliberate practice is not the same as practice. To find out what it takes to be great in anything, click here to read the article from Fortune.

BURNSVILLE FIRE FAMILY LOSES A FRIEND (10/17/06)
The first club coach for the Burnsville Fire, and a man instrumental in the training of countless Burnsville players and coaches has suffered a tremendous loss, and the entire Burnsville Fire family extends its sympathies. John Leaney, longtime coach of the Macalester Mens and Womens Soccer Teams and former Burnsville Fire Club Coach lost his wife Carrie after a long battle with cancer. John is left alone with a 2-year old son, Jack. The Macalester College Athletic Department has started a fund to help John hire a nanny to come into their home. As little as $10 will sponsor an hour of nanny time. To contribute, make checks payable to John Leaney and mail to Macalester College Athletic Department, Attn: Leaney Fund, 1600 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105

FIREfest CHAMPIONS CROWNED (10/17/06)
It was a beautiful weekend for the beautiful game, and a great way to wrap up the Fall Recreational Season. Congratulations to all the teams from Kindergartners through 12th graders who played this fall. Congratulations also to the five teams crowned champions in our championship games, two of which went to shootouts!

  • Under-12 Girls...Neill/Vista View Farrell
  • Under-12 Boys...Harriet Bishop Pyle
  • Under-15 Girls...Eagle Ridge Allen
  • Under-15 Boys...Metcalf Amell
  • Under-18 Coed... Keller

MOMS' ROLE IN GIRLS' HEALTH (10/17/06)
Tara Parker-Pope published an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal recently on the major influence that mothers have on their daughter's health. This is good reading for parents of our young female soccer players. To read the entire article, click here.

2007 FIREfeet & FIREkeep REGISTRATION OPEN (10/3/06)
Players looking to maintain and improve their skills over the winter, FIREfeet and FIREkeep are back! Train with some of Minnesota's finest, including Dan Houck, Jon Poppen, Cam Stoltz, Chato Alvarado, Matt Holmes and John Swallen in Minnesota's finest indoor facility, Soccer Blast. This year a range of training options are offered, allowing some ages to train twice as much as in the past. Check out the FIREfeet page to see which ages train at which times. You can register for FIREfeet and FIREkeep online by credit card or check right from the FIREfeet page, check it out!

THUNDER COMING TO BURNSVILLE IN 2007 (9/5/06)
The Burnsville Fire Soccer Club and ISD 191 have agreed to invite the Minnesota Thunder, Minnesota's own professional soccer team, to play a game at Pates Stadium in 2007. The plan is for the Thunder to take on a professional opponent right here in our backyard on July 7th, 2007 , during our Burnsville FIREcup. Put this on your calendars now, and a HUGE thanks to Scott Garvis and the folks over at the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage school district in working with us to bring professional soccer to our community next summer! 

TWO FIRE TEAMS CAPTURE STATE TITLES (8/8/06)
Congratulation to the Under-15, Classic 2 Girls and Under-12, Classic 2 Girls who were crowned Minnesota State Champions! Both teams went undefeated at the tournament, with the U15s not allowing a goal in four state tournament games. In 2006, the Burnsville Fire captured more state championships than any other South District club, and only one club in the state produced more state champs!!

UNIROYAL TIRE LAUNCHES "WIN A FREE SOCCER SEASON SWEEPSTAKES (7/30/06)
The folks at Uniroyal Tire want to let you know that they are kickin' it up again this year to support youth soccer leagues and thought you might be interested in the program. A longtime supporter of youth soccer nationally, Uniroyal is going to award a “FREE SOCCER SEASON” in 2007 (a set of tires, four months of gas, soccer registration and automotive services) to one lucky family who enters the Uniroyal sweepstakes this fall at www.uniroyal.com/sweeps. In addition, the grand prize winner’s soccer league will receive $1,000 from Uniroyal Tire to put towards field equipment, scholarships and other expenses. Monthly first prize winners will receive four months of gas for the 2007 fall season. Soccer parents can enter the sweepstakes at www.uniroyal.com/sweeps once a month (from Aug. 1 through Nov. 30, 2006) allowing them to be eligible for one monthly first prize drawing to win four months of gas for the 2007 fall soccer season. In December 2006, Uniroyal will conduct a final drawing from all entries received throughout the promotional period to select the grand prize winner.

NEW HYDRATION GUIDELINES AVAILABLE AT USSOCCER.COM (6/22/06)
Adolescent males typically lose up to 1.5 liters of sweat per hour when performing intense soccer activities in the heat, says a new first-of-its-kind study from the University of Connecticut presented this week at the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) annual conference in Denver, Colorado. This study, coupled with the extra attention soccer is getting leading into the sport’s most elite international tournament and the quickly approaching heat of summer, has prompted the U.S. Soccer Federation – the governing body of soccer in the United States – to develop and distribute new Youth Soccer Heat and Hydration Guidelines to coaches and parents nationwide. The goal is to help prevent the potentially deadly effects of heat illness among the 14 million U.S. children who play soccer and, as it relates to more elite levels, increase physical performance of the next generation of US soccer stars.