SIU President's Message

With the new year just around the corner, I wanted the take a moment to look back at the challenges and successes of 2007. OK . I've done that, now let us move on to 2008! We will have a few new opportunities to run with and of course, some challenges to overcome along the way.

On the recreational side, we will modify the way we conduct our U5 and U6 program. Our Director of coaching, Dutch Vigar, who received his Youth National Coaching License last summer, will lead a group of coaches and assistants to provide a better environment for our youngest players. The format of our season won't change much, and we will still need volunteer coaches. The biggest difference will be the presence of Dutch and a group of more experienced coaches who will provide appropriate and fun activities that will help our volunteers keep the little ones going in the right direction. For our older recreational players, we will also continue to develop relationships with clubs in surrounding counties with the hope of playing more in Indiana, and less in Kentucky.

Our Select teams experienced success last season and for some of them, it means they have a chance to compete in the Indiana Soccer League. We will now be represented on both sides of the river and we wish all of our players the best as they continue to develop their individual skills and contribute to their team's success. On a similar subject, we have pledged support for the NetSurfers. Having one competitive club for girls in this area is truly what is best. We will encourage our girls who have aspirations of playing competitive soccer to get familiar with the NetSurfers and to try out when they are ready.

The SIU Board will also experience changes and challenges. A few Board positions including President, VP Select and Risk Management Director remain unfilled and we ask that all of you consider who you feel would be good nominees. The future of SIU depends on the continuous involvement of dedicated volunteers. Right now, we are running critically low on such people. Elections are scheduled for the Board meeting on January 8. Please contact secretary@siusoccer.com if you have questions or wish to nominate someone.

Another major challenge we face is our lack of adequate practice and game fields. While our dreams have been focused on Cannon Acres, we do not control the destiny of the project there. It is a Parks Department property that will ultimately require over 3 million dollars of improvements to complete. We are doing our part in order to use the property "as-is", but we need a community and government effort to really get the project going. In addition, the renovation at Floyd Central will eventually cause us to move our young recreational teams away from the fields we are using on Old Vincennes Rd. In the mean time, we will continue to work to identify available parks or other land that is suitable for soccer. If we had the land and the money, we would build our own home fields - but we don't, so we have to use what is available. If you are frustrated by this situation, please contact your City and County Council members, Mayor and the Parks Board.

Finally, but most importantly, I want to thank each and every volunteer who has given their time, sweat and even tears to support not only SIU, but soccer in Southern Indiana. My hope for the new year is that we can energize a new group of soccer moms and dads to join our existing staff and take a more active role in the future of SIU - so their kids and grandkids will have a better soccer environment in which to play.

Sincerely,
Jim Kotowski
Interim President