Empire United SA Buffalo Copryright 2012 02/05/2012 02/05/2012 www.empireusa-buf.org News from Empire United SA Buffalo Welcome! 10/07/2011 10:38 AM http://www.empireusa-buf.org/home/370941.html Welcome to the online home of the Empire United Soccer Academy - Buffalo!

In August 2007, Western New York’s top soccer clubs, the Rochester Junior Rhinos, Syracuse Football Club and Buffalo United Soccer Club joined together to form the Empire United Soccer Academy.  In the Spring of 2009, Crown City FC from the Cortland/Homer area joined the Academy.  In the fall of 2009 CNY Soccer Club of Syracuse  joined the Empire United Soccer Academy.  The unification of these clubs, acknowledges their strong working relationship and shared vision of the development of youth soccer and makes EUSA one of the largest Soccer Clubs in the Northeast USA.  This combined organization will enable soccer players at all levels to attain their individual goals and maximize their potential.  In fact, the strength of the new club was recognized when Empire USA received one of the sixty-four initial memberships in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy..

]]> http://www.empireusa-buf.org/home/370941.html Red Penguin P.A.C.E. (College Placement and Recruitment Programming) 01/03/2012 08:14 AM http://www.empireusa-buf.org/home/588532.html Red Penguin Athletics (RPA) announces that they will begin working with the Buffalo Empire United Soccer Academy beginning January 1, 2012. EUSA Buffalo will provide players, coaches, and parents additional services that will support the academic and athletic transition to college through Red Penguin’s nationally certified Program of Academics, Compliance and Eligibility (P.A.C.E.).

P.A.C.E. enhances the recruiting preparation for parents and players in different ways. Each family will be given an individual “Recruit Doctor Evaluation” on their current status and prep for the college recruiting process. P.A.C.E. will also provide a variety of workshops, help troubleshoot & build complete college resumes, and provide informational articles on college admissions, NCAA eligibility, academics, financial aid, SAT/ACT support, and recruiting tips throughout the year.
 
EUSA Buffalo will work directly with RPA’s nationally certified staff including RPA President & NCAA Compliance Director Chris Bianchi. Chris is a former college soccer coach, education professor and is a certified College Academic Advisor through AVID. AVID is a national program that has successfully helped students with their college dreams and preparation for over two decades. He writes articles for Next Step Magazine as “The Recruit Doctor” which is distributed to over 22,000 high schools throughout the United States and Canada. Chris also worked as the co-producer of “Sports Parenting in the 21st Century” (the movie) which is scheduled to be released in the spring of 2012.
 
When asked about working with Buffalo parents and players, Chris said the following: “We work with athletic clubs on a national scale and I’ve chatted with many decision makers. After meeting with Tom Garigen, I was able to see how he really wants EUSA Buffalo to provide their parents, players and coaches with a truly comprehensive academic and athletic soccer experience. As a result, his parents and players will have a huge advantage in the college process”.  
 
EUSA Buffalo players will start with “The Road to College Athletics” beginning January 11th with the U15-U18 players (7:15-8:15 pm) and the U13-U14 players (7:15-8:15 pm) on January 18th. 

U13-U14 parents will begin with “Sports Parenting in the 21st Century” on January 25th from 7:15-8:15 pm and U15-U18 parents from 7:15-8:15 pm on February 1st. Parents will also complete “The Recruit Doctor” NCAA Academic and Athletic Evaluation Questionnaire to help assess where families are in the college prep process.

]]> http://www.empireusa-buf.org/home/588532.html Share@EmpireUnitedSA.org 12/09/2011 11:53 PM http://www.empireusa-buf.org/home/584876.html There are a lot of really great things happening every day with our players, coaches, and teams.  Empire needs your help in sharing these great accomplishments with the rest of the Empire family and those who are following us.  Anything you find or think of that you would like to share please email them to share@empireunitedsa.org.  Below are some general ideas and guidelines.

Content to Send

  • Images of players in action
  • Team photos
  • Relevant videos
  • Self created article or blurb about team accomplishments
  • Self created article or blurb about individual accomplishments
  • Article found online or in print

Uses

  • Facebook Posts
  • Web Site Articles
  • Email Blast Article / Notification from Demosphere
  • Email Newsletter (Coming soon!)
  • Twitter Tweets (Coming soon!)

* Not all content will be posted.  Empire United reserves the right to edit or exclude any content it receives!

]]> http://www.empireusa-buf.org/home/584876.html Empire Buffalo :: Skills School (Ages 9 to 14) 12/09/2011 11:53 PM http://www.empireusa-buf.org/home/501285.html Searching for the right present for your soccer-crazed son or daughter? Sign them up for focused technical training from EUSA Buffalo coaches and help your child reach the next level!

Register for the Jan/Feb session of Young Guns (6 to 8) and Skill School (9 to 14) classes now!

Classes are available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday nights as well as Sunday monrnings. All indoor classes will be held at Epic Center on the Williamsville/Lancaster/Clarence town border.

]]> http://www.empireusa-buf.org/home/501285.html US Youth Soccer National League Opens Season 11/30/2011 11:34 PM http://www.empireusa-buf.org/home/582782.html Girls teams kickoff year-long competition Dec. 1-4 in Atlanta, GA
Boys teams kickoff year-long competition Dec. 9-11 in Birmingham, AL

Follow the National League Season…
Scores and Schedule | Video | Twitter | Daily Stories  | Facebook
 
FRISCO, Texas (Nov. 30, 2011) – The US Youth Soccer National League will begin for boys and girls teams in the Under-15, Under-16, Under-17 and, new this year, Under-18 age groups the first two weekends in December. First up in 2011-2012, the National League Girls teams will open the fifth season of league play December 1-4 in Atlanta at Fowler Park and Mudd Creek Soccer Complex. The National League Boys teams will follow suit December 9-11 in Birmingham, Ala., at Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex, Liberty Park Soccer Complex, Sports Blast and Heardmont Park.

The opening weekends for boys and girls will be played in conjunction with the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s College Cup championships, creating another significant opportunity for the nation’s collegiate, professional and national team coaches to see National League players in an environment of meaningful play.
 
With the addition of the Under-18 age group, 120 boys and girls teams from 32 of the 55 US Youth Soccer State Associations have each earned their place in the league based on success in US Youth Soccer regional and national competitions.

"Once again, the US Youth Soccer National League has expanded this season to now include U-18 boys and girls teams. This league continues to grow to accommodate the demand for most competitive and meaningful competition and to give teams an opportunity to qualify for the prestigious US Youth Soccer National Championships," said Paul Luchowski, National League commissioner.
 
For the latest scores, schedules and standings, visit http://tournaments.usyouthsoccer.org/events/2011-2012-National-League/

The league is an extension of the highly successful US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues (US Youth Soccer Region I Premier League, Midwest Regional League, Region III Premier League and Far West Regional League). The National League provides an avenue for teams to play in meaningful matches against top competition from across the country for continued development and opportunities for exposure at the national team, collegiate and professional levels. In addition to recruiting opportunities, National League teams in the U-15, U-16 and U-17 age groups compete for the league title and two slots per gender age group to the annual US Youth Soccer National Championships.

In it’s first four years of existence, National League teams have captured a combined 13 National Championships. For a list of past National League champions and history, click here.

The National League Girls will continue the 2011-2012 season with matches alongside the Disney Soccer Showcase in Orlando, Fla. (Dec. 31-Jan. 2) and the Player’s 2012 Soccer Showcase in Las Vegas (March 23-25).

Empire USA's Syracuse GU18 team will be playing in the National League for the second year, and the Empire USA GU17 Academy team enters the league for the first time. 
 
The National League Boys will continue the 2011-2012 season in February alongside the Weston Cup in Weston, Fla. (Feb. 18-20) and will join the Girls at the Player’s College Showcase in Las Vegas.

Keep up with the National League all season:
National League Home: USYouthSoccer.org/National_League
Schedule and results: Tournaments.USYouthSoccer.org/events/2011-2012-National-League/
Twitter: @nationalleague
Facebook: Facebook.com/usyouthsoccer
You Tube: YouTube.com/usyouth

]]> http://www.empireusa-buf.org/home/582782.html U9 through U11 Age Levels Open Enrollment All Year Long! 01/11/2012 08:48 AM http://www.empireusa-buf.org/home/473974.html Don’t quit your travel team!  You can participate in our programs up to u12 and still be able to play for your local travel team.  The tryout process is simple.  Contact us to let us know you are interested.  We’ll set you up with the appropriate coach and team manager to schedule your personal tryout.  Personal tryouts take place during a regularly scheduled team training session.  After the session is over the coaching staff can let you know if your child is ok to be added.  Contact us today!

Summer Tryout Dates

Fall Tryout Dates

Winter Tryout Dates

 

]]> http://www.empireusa-buf.org/home/473974.html Adidas Offer for Empire USA Families 04/29/2011 10:12 PM http://www.empireusa-buf.org/home/501748.html Becasue of our Club’s relationship with Adidas and Eurosport/SOCCER.COM, Empire USA families are being offered a 15% dicount on any Adidas footwear.

Check out all the great Adidas boots at SOCCER.COM/adidas.  Simply visit SOCCER.COM or call 1-800-950-1994 before 4/30/11 and enter the source code 16ADICLA during checkout.

]]> http://www.empireusa-buf.org/home/501748.html Top College Programs Use Development Academy to Continue to Build Successful Teams 02/24/2010 01:51 PM http://www.empireusa-buf.org/home/404315.html With stints as an assistant coach during the 2002 FIFA World Cup and head coach of U.S. U-18 Men’s National Team, George Gelnovatch has been involved with soccer in the U.S. since his playing days at the University of Virginia under Bruce Arena.

Now with 14 seasons as the head coach of the Cavaliers under his belt, Gelnovatch has seen his player selection process undergo a major overhaul since the inception of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.

“I think the Academy program is still relatively young, but already I think there are some benefits,” said Gelnovatch, who won his first NCAA College Cup championship in 2009. “The standards that have been set by U.S. Soccer for these clubs are good standards, but the biggest change I have seen is in the identification process.”

With Development Academy scouts in attendance at a majority of regular season games and every game during Showcase events, players are identified and tracked more closely and consistently than in the past.

The coaching staff at Virginia takes advantage of both the Richmond Strikers and the Richmond Kickers proximity to Charlottesville. Not only does Gelnovatch keep a close eye on local talent, but he has a full slate of quality teams coming in from across the country on a weekly basis.

Gelnovatch and his staff are also among nearly 300 college coaches in attendance at every Development Academy Showcase.

“For college programs, those Showcase events make it easier to get into a four-day environment and watch all of the Academy teams,” he said. “To come out to three events a year and see all these players shouldn’t be an issue for any major program.”

Keeping a close eye on the Academy talent, Gelnovatch has definitely seen a change in the type of players coming out of the member clubs.

In 2009, the Cavaliers brought in Will Bates from the Richmond Strikers, D.C. United’s Marcus Douglas, Sean Murnane and Shane Cooke, and BW Gottschee NYC’s Ahkeel Rodney, meaning all but one freshman on the team hailed from an Academy club. On Feb. 3, three more Academy players signed National Letters of Intent to play for Virginia as they attempt to defend their national championship.

The 2007 NCAA Champion Wake Forest will add no fewer than six former Academy players to the Demon Deacons squad for 2010. The 2008 and 2005 NCAA Champion University of Maryland also continues to bring Academy players into its highly-regarded program, building on six first-year Academy alums who helped the Terrapins advance to the tournament quarterfinals in 2009.

“The impact of the level of play in the Academy has been tremendous for our program,” said Sasho Cirovski, head coach at Maryland. “Every time you see a game, it’s highly competitive, good spirited and played a very high level with a great deal of accountability. That’s something you want to see as a college coach, how players deal with that kind of environment and it’s more clear when you watch an Academy game than maybe another youth game that isn’t as meaningful.”

In addition, the structure of the program, which includes training at least three times per week and playing games on the weekend, mirrors that of a college season.

“The regimen of playing other Academy teams and traveling with some consistency has definitely added some structure and development that makes the transition from a youth club to a high-level college soccer team a little bit easier,” said Gelnovatch.

As college programs continue spring training in preparation for the 2010 season, Development Academy players continue to train with their respective clubs, hoping for a taste of the NCAA tournament. The current Academy season will conclude at Finals Weeks at The Home Depot Center in July.

-ussoccer.com-

U.S. Soccer Federation
1801 S. Prairie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60616

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