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Is BridgeFA having the same success that CESA has enjoyed, over the same period after the merge/alliance from a player/parents view? Seems like everyone talks about one team at Bridge, never the club.
Good luck at state cup!

Sweet Feet,
That is not even close. What CESA did last year in the older age grous, winning every state championship, is unmatched and the likelihood of that happening again is very slim - by CESA or any other club.

prettyricky,
In your opinion, how was CESA able to do this, and Bridge in your opinion, not even close. I though the reason for the alliance was to compete with the CESA'S of the world, in fast order. After a quick look at hotstats I would agree with you.

Well, I don't really know all of the comparable stats. I also don't know "why" Bridge, or any other club, has not been able to match that. My point was that it is tough to compare to what they, CESa, are doing/ have done, because it was such a tough thing to do. I am sure CESA will win their share of state championships again this year, but I don't think they can win all of them again - or maybe they can? But, I can say that in order to have a chance to win state championships, you have to have a team in the final. I think that is what CESA has been able to do in almost every age group - older teams and younger teams, girls and boys. Again, I am not sure if they had a team in every final as I have not looked at the results from last year in every age group. But, as everyone knows, they did do this in the fall at least.

Question--
Do players and coaches treat CESA teams like the Superbowl champs, and circle all CESA games on the schedule and give special attention to the games, or is it just another game on the schedule?

Cesa has a few teams that fair well in the premier league, but there, they are just another club like casl, only with alot to accomplish. However, on a state level, thier challenge teams are not the top of the pack in all (or atleast all that I've seen) age groups. The CESA teams that "won" the super bowl will not be seen by south carolina teams (apart from other premier teams) until state, and there, you can bet teams will be circling the date on their calender. Look for half of the championships to be won by the cscs, necsas, and other clubs with average programs and some excelling teams.

I posted this over on the pro forum.

During every MLS game on ESPN2 this year, they do a short 10 second blurb on a youth team at some point during the telecast. During yesterday's MLS game between DCU and Chicago, imagine my surprise when I see a team photo of Bridge FA Gold 90 (U-15) and hear Wynalda and Stone talking about the team from Charleston, South Carolina.

Nice.....................

BenP,
What other club's "challenge" teams are at the top of the "pack" in the challenge league?

Well, I went ahead and did some research of my own. Here is what I found:

Statewide:
u18 girls: CESA-1st / No "Challenge" team from another club
u18 boys: CESA-6th / CSC White-9th
u17 girls: CESA-6th / No "Challenge" team from another club
u17 boys: CESA-3rd / No "Challenge" team from another club
u16 girls: CESA-3rd / No "Challenge" team from another club
u16 boys: CESA-2nd / CSC Pumas-7th(last)
u15 girls: No CESA team entered / No "Challenge" team from another club
u15 boys: Bridge Red-2nd / CESA-3rd

Not really sure what this means, but it seems that the "challenge" teams from CESA are much better than any other clubs challenge teams - one exception being bridge red.

Because in the U15 group CESA Premier and DSC were the 1-2 finishers in the state cup.

Only if you finish in the top two can you play Premier, Occasionally a 3rd representative will be allowed depending on the representation from individual states

For R3PL East - you have NC, GA, SC, FL and eastern Tn.

Although Bridge did not exist before this year, The team in The U17 div was made up of the players that finished in the top two in the state.

Pretty.... your post needs a bit more explanation.

Challenge teams in CESA terminology means B team in the age group. Therefore

CESA Premier = A (which = Bridge Gold = CSC Navy)
CESA Challenge = B (which = Bridge Red = CSC White)
CESA Classic I = C
CESA Classic II = D

kick... for a complete list of the teams in the SC challenge league for this season slick ->SCSCL teams 2005 Fall

Sorry about that. I thought he was asking about club's "b" or "challenge" teams. So, I didn't see the need to elaborate any further. However, I did fail to mention that in the younger age groups Bridge has some very good "challenge" teams. I don't know about CESA or any other club because I haven't done the research. But, again, I have seen several of Bridge "b" teams play.

And basically it is a numbers game... CESA enjoys high turn out in their system and are able to field multiple teams for an age group. And to their credit they have always stayed with the Premier and challenge team labels in the challenge league and the classic label in the classic league.

Bridge on the other hand has stated from the beginning (see bear or bridge posts in the past) that they will only field Challenge level teams (and I believe the max was 2) per age group. So if the numbers are there they would field a team (presumably the talent is there as well)

Many other clubs with multiple teams in an age group usually have 1 representative in Classic and one in Challenge.

Also in the younger ages, it is common practice (I do not know why) that a team plays classic in the fall and Challenge in the spring

Each state has a number of clubs that have teams that play in a league where once the state champion is crowned are eligible to play in the regional cup and national cup.

In SC only the Challenge league champion can play in the subsequent tourneys. No long ago a league was created for the number 1s and 2s of each state to create a highly competitive environment. this is caleed the R3PL which is divided geographically into east, south, north, west.

This the clif notes version, there are other national and regional series for classic cup winners, etc.. but the bottom line is the highest level are the ones you have been reading in these forums
I might be wrong but examples
SC it is the Challenge league
Ga is Classic 1
NC it is the premier league (no relation to R3PL)

I believe the top NC soccer league is called the Classic League, which is then broken down into:
1) Premier Division (statewide)
2) First Division (statewide)
3) Second Division (East and West conferences)

Below that is the Challenge League; not sure how that is broken down.

For NC standings, see:

http://www.ncsoccer.org/Classic/records.shtml

I think it's way too early to judge Bridge. I also think that any expectation that Bridge would be highly competitive in every gender and age bracket immediately ignores a great deal of history.

From 1998 (the earliest records I can find) to spring 2004 (the last state challenge cup before CESA was created), there were 208 South Carolina challenge cup finalists. Teams from clubs that eventually merged into CESA filled 103 of these slots. Teams from clubs that eventually agreed to participate in Bridge (SSC and JIYSC) filled 12 of these slots. Even if Bridge had been able to get MPSC and CUSC/CGSA to participate, then the count would have gone to 42 (23 MPSC, 7 CUSC/CGSA).

I will make this my final(yeah right!)statement concerning my 'Dream' for a club merger of midlands teams.....and what I think what would be in the best interest of SC club soccer and benefit the many soccer players in SC at all various levels. The 'Dream' is to have 3 major competitive clubs geographically located in the state -
Upstate - CESA/Spartanburg/Rock Hill area
Midlands - NECSA/CSC/LCSC/Aiken area
Lowcountry - Bridge/MPSC/CUSC/Coastal area
Can you imagine the wars the big 3 would have? Beating each other up and creating a more competitive soccer environment in SC. With this geographical arrangement, all players in those areas would travel only at most 90 min. to the central club. You could have the classic/rec level clubs competing at their own level in a separate league; or have the classic level teams remain under the auspices of the major clubs as is now the case.
Its just a 'Dream' ..............
OK, Shearer, I am ready for your drunken barbs and about my 'Dream.'

striker,

I would argue for four. The Rock Hill area can support its own CESA. In a couple of years there will be seven 4A high schools in York County. That's enough density to stay home and not have to make the hour drive south to Cola or the 90 minute drive to G'ville/Spart.

PS - Manchester Fields in Rock Hill will also rival any other soccer facility in the state.

Hurst,
While I see what you are saying, it takes a lot more than numbers and facilities to create a quality organization such as the big clubs out there. There is much more to them than most people realize.

Hurst,
I think that Rock Hill could become more solidified than what they are , but aside from the players, which there are not enough of, the structure behind this club is not there. There has not been one person in that area that has attempted to unify, not divide. To have one of these super clubs you must have coaches and to the best of my knowledge a couple of the better coaches in the area have moved on to other areas.I'm guessing they left for a reason.

On top of that, you've got Charlotte in your back yard, and they will always draw players from Rock Hill.

Maybe your dream will come true, but I don't see it based on many factors.

Hurst,

I just do not know if the Rock Hill area has enough players to support a "CESA" type club. I understand that there may be 7 4A high schools in the area, but how many have decent soccer programs and/or players willing to committ? The only decent soccer schools up there are Northwestern and Fort Mill, correct?

Secondly, how will everyone get on the same page up there when a new club was started this fall?
Just curious.

Kick...depending on the seeding the same can be true on other teams.... I do not think it is a club strategy nor do I think it is by design for the team. Injuries specifically have to be rested, the other ....if your poverbial arse is being handed to you taking out a starter does not qualify as resting the player in my book.

Loc Dog,

Good points. Fort Mill, Rock Hill and Clover districts are really growing. York is probably too far west and doesn't have a feeder program at the rec level.

Don't know how everyone can get on the same page. Some folks seem content with just playing with the cards they are holding in their hands.

Hurst

Why are some folks content? does anyone in the area have a desire to compete or are the clubs more on social aspects? Like you said, the area should be able to compete at some levels since NW and FM have had quality teams over the last couple of years.

Back to the original topic. I think that if Bridge teams all trained at one or two complexes like they do at CESA, it would make them better. I could be wrong, but I just think being around good players day in and day out creates an extremely competitive environment. With this environment, players will strive to get better. Plus teams can constantly train together and get games thoughout the week earlier. just my 2 cents

Is Bridge planning on building a true facility in the Trident area or continue farming out their training sites.

RE: YORK COUNTY
The Census Bureau Growth Report of 2002 stated that York County is the 69th fastest growing county in the US. The 2005 population estimate for York County is 185,355. Mecklenburg is forecasted for 820,571. Now for a numbers guy it would make sense that just based on shear volume of potential players, York is still on the outside looking in. However, we all know that passion and dedication can overcome all odds.

A quick note:
A grassroots "committee", I use this word for lack of another, is being formed in York County with representatives from all of the local area clubs to discuss the future of soccer in the area and the opportunity with Manchester Meadows. Many are from other regions of the country with a wide range of "club" experience. Maybe this is new blood and infusion of interest the soccer community of York County needs.

"We are always awake while the enemy sleeps"

how come everyone backed off this topic? it was actually a decent discussion on this site for a change. Hurst?

If you're not playin' at CESA, then you are just posin' as a playa!

now come on, ar, you didn't have to do that. you don't expect the commoners to just let that one get away do you?

seems to be a good topic, that some have decided to back off.

AR come on man.

Been out of town for a week....back on Friday.

York County's proximity to Charlotte should be considered a positive, not a negative. If NSC, DSC and TCSC were to ever get on the same page and have some success they could actual draw players OUT of Charlotte.

.....and what's going on with the two big clubs in the Queeen City?

Hurst

glad to have you back. does Charlotte not play their older boys club in the spring? how would that help the York Co. area. I am just trying to figure it out as this area seems to be different than any other in the state. Also, how could those ever get on the same page (or at least anytime soon)? 5 or so years ago, wasn't DSC the only club? then this past year i believe the other club formed. Does anyone have the upperhand in the area?

Well it would seem that they play in the fall as well. I have seen some of those teams in the premier league. Their State Cup might be in the spring but they play in the fall as well.

NC Girls U15 to U18 play in fall.
NC Boys U15 to U18 play in spring.
NC teams in fall premier league try to play around fall high school games.

>>[2004striker] I will make this my final(yeah right!)statement concerning my 'Dream' for a club merger of midlands teams.....and what I think what would be in the best interest of SC club soccer and benefit the many soccer players in SC at all various levels. The 'Dream' is to have 3 major competitive clubs geographically located in the state -
Upstate - CESA/Spartanburg/Rock Hill area
Midlands - NECSA/CSC/LCSC/Aiken area
Lowcountry - Bridge/MPSC/CUSC/Coastal area
Can you imagine the wars the big 3 would have? Beating each other up and creating a more competitive soccer environment in SC. With this geographical arrangement, all players in those areas would travel only at most 90 min. to the central club.<<

Your proposal leads me to a quasi-Swiftian question:

If you're going to travel 90 minutes for practice, why not just have Bridge and CESA and let Columbia elite players choose between them? You could ease the travel by having Bridge and CESA both offer training in the Columbia area.

By limiting the number of elite clubs, you'd have a better chance of competing against the best teams in other states. That way many of our kids wouldn't be quite so surprised when they won a South Carolina state championship and then were beaten like drums when they go to regionals and/or play in RIIIPL-East.

Why would someone want to drive an hour and a half to practice? Can't you get enough good players in your own area? We do at CESA!

>>[Always Right] Why would someone want to drive an hour and a half to practice?<<

No one would ***want*** to drive 90+ minutes to practice (see the "quasi-Swiftian" reference which is just a veiled reference to the Irish solution Swift sardonically proposed for increasing protein in the English diet.)

>>Can't you get enough good players in your own area?<<

No. In smaller towns there is a lack of critical mass; in larger towns quite often there is a balkanization of clubs.

>> We do at CESA!<<

CESA has many absolutely great Greenville players; however, CESA draws players from a very wide geographic area. For example, 1/4 of last year's U16G Premier team lived 90+ miles away. I could be wrong, but I believe that no player on the current CESA U18G Premier team lives in Greenville. At CESA Columbia practices, I've seen boys and girls from Rock Hill, Charleston/Mount Pleasant/Summerville, Aiken/Augusta -- and of course Columbia and its smaller surrounding cities. CESA seems to be drawing increasing numbers of players from not only Spartanburg, Clemson, Greenwood, Moore, Travelers Rest, etc. but also from Columbia, Charlotte, Aiken/Augusta, Ashville -- and even from Charleston.

Always wrong,
I believe due to the strong CESA organization and many other attractive aspects of that club, that you draw players from all over the state-even the lowcountry.
Chico,
Due to my red neck upbringing, I have never been too good at quasi-Swiftian questions. But I will respond anyway.....There is a possibility of just having Bridge & CESA and having Cola, Aiken, Sumter players chose which direction to travel, yet I am not yet sold on the 'training in Cola. concept.' Even though I have not seen it in action, I just don't think those that participate and train away from the core team for a few days can get that 'team feel.' 3 major clubs would possibly allow all team players to practice constantly as one team unit.
Plus there are already in place significant facilities in Cola. area to support one of the major 3. I believe there are enough current/potential players in those 3 respective areas I mentioned, to produce competitive teams among all 3 major clubs. As far as producing the best teams possible to successfully compete regionally, there will be those few dedicated players who will travel to that one region possessing the best talent, no matter where that team is located. But..its still a dream.

>>[2004striker] There is a possibility of just having Bridge & CESA and having Cola, Aiken, Sumter players chose which direction to travel, yet I am not yet sold on the 'training in Cola. concept.' Even though I have not seen it in action, I just don't think those that participate and train away from the core team for a few days can get that 'team feel.'<<

Note that in your proposal that you're asking people from non-Columbia areas to drive 90 miles but you don't want Columbia people to do it. This seems rather askew.

Here's what confuses me the most about those that doubt the "some training remotely" concept -- you've seen it in action for years -- those I know specifically about are the older GFC teams and last year's CESA's teams. It's not like you have to accept anything on faith; the proof is already there.

What I strongly suspect is that there are a lot of people who don't like the "sometimes training remotely" paradigm. I completely understand that. As a parent only training locally is a much simpler concept with which to deal. But it seems strange to confuse what you don't like versus what has been shown to be effective.

Plus there are already in place significant facilities in Cola. area to support one of the major 3. I believe there are enough current/potential players in those 3 respective areas I mentioned, to produce competitive teams among all 3 major clubs.<<

Rock Hill has facilities, Aiken has facilities, etc. Why can't these areas have clubs in your dream? Lexington has absolutely great facilities; why don't we shut down CSC, NECSA, and CRSA and have everyone go there. If facilities were all it took, the Lexington club would have several teams competing for the national championship.

Sigh...you always do this to me about mergers!!! As Michael Corleone said "Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in."

>>[2004striker] Due to my red neck upbringing, I have never been too good at quasi-Swiftian questions.<<

Dude...come on...I grew up in Orangeburg...

Chico,
Sorry, I have drawn you back into the merger issue. At least you can say that you have avoided the temptation of the Red Neck League thread. And how have I allowed my 'dream Cola area merger' to go statewide?? (I gotta get some rest, or else find a slower paced sports forum like tennis).

2004 Just like Chico's Godfather reference......The time to strike is now!!!

You have one leg cut off go for the other. If you really want to see soccer grow grab some "big time" parents and start something NOW!!!!!

Shearer, my drunken friend,
Soccer in Cola. is big enough now, its just not consolidated as I wish it would be. "Big time" parents in Cola. don't want quality soccer. They want social soccer where all their little Shearers and Mary Janes get equal playing time.

I have a feeling that had something to do w/ Eddie leaving. I don't see Pearse and Andrew not getting thier way too much up at CESA. Eddie had to fight tooth and nail to get anything done at CSC.

WOW We agree??? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Well.... I don't know what happened with Eddie, but I can imagine. My view of the soccer social scene in Cola. is analogous with that of the social support of the Carolina football team..... neither really demands a winner, as long as they can have their good times, i.e., partying/tailgating and social Saturdays.

Chico,
I failed to address your prior questions. As far as travel goes, it is probably only an hr. from Aiken/Augusta to Cola. and even less travel from Sumter area. As far as fields go, that was just a response to your suggestion that there be just 2 clubs - Bridge and CESA. The facilities are in place. But I know it takes much more to produce a winner; primarily coaching, which is also in place in the central area. Either its a no-brainer or I gotta start drinking some brown ale with Shearer. Oh.....but I gotta keep telling myself...that its a dream.

Shearer/2004striker/Anyone: I heard a while back that for a player to "play up" in terms of age group in CSC there had to be board approval. Is this correct -- or just an urban legend?

No that is correct. They might not admitt to that ...but it is done that way at CSC.

I continue to hear the BOD was extremely difficult to work w/ from a coaching point of view.

I guess they will get their "yes" man and go back to being average like the good ole ISA days.

OH well 2004 can dream!

Yep.
I have to agree.......oh nooooooooo is the sky falling? Shearer and me on the same page?? It can't be. At least I am sure it won't last long.

There goes the quest for quality soccer in Cola.

Loc Dog,

You are correct. York County "super club" soccer would not work for Charlotte/Meck County/NC boys U15 - U18 because of the high school conflict.

2004,Shearer, and Chico
For those of you who love to denigrate the CSC club that many of us call home--I would have to respectfully disagree. We DO love competitive soccer (as opposed to "social" soccer)that you CSC haters love to throw our way. Our teams have been as successful as any teams in the state, (especially the midlands) in the last year with CESA being the exception (no different than the rest of the state). In the Challenge league this past fall, many of the CSC teams represented the club quite well with first place finishes for the 18 Boys, 17 Boys, 17 Girls and the 15 Girls--the State Cup will determine if those teams are for real.
In regards to playing up at CSC, many players play "up" at our club with "Board approval" only needed for players who desire to play up TWO years--I would guess this is done to protect the players in regard to size.
In regards to Eddie, we all will miss him terribly--he is a great coach and his passion for the game is an example we all should strive to copy. I am sure CSC will do all they can to fill his position with the most qualified person who fits their needs. The Board will not look for a "Yes Man" as our drunken friend Shearer would suggest, but a person to build upon the foundation that Eddie and club have built in the previous years.
As a parent at CSC (the determination of "Big Time" will have to made by someone else), I am more than pleased to have my children trained/coached by the great staff at CSC--I could drive my children two hours in either direction but I choose to "stay home" and have my children exposed to excellent soccer and coaching in my own back yard.

>>[socdad] For those of you who love to denigrate the CSC club...<<

I apologize if anything I've said on this message thread is perceived as "denigrating" CSC. However, I would ask you to read what I've written; I can't see where I've been critical.

My question regarding playing up was made in response to an observation made in this thread about directors at another club. My perspective, as a volunteer at another club, is that if you can't trust your directors to make soccer decisions, then you better have a board that knows more about soccer than the directors. This would include decisions such as permitting children who want to play up to do so if it is the best thing for the child.

Regarding where parents/players choose to play, I've tried to make only two points: (1) if you're proposing a merger scheme in which you're asking others to drive 90 miles, it seems reasonable that they might counter-propose to you that you drive 90 miles, (2) there is a fair amount of evidence that "partial remote training" works, although it's completely understandable that it may not be liked.

It's clear that you love your club and are proud of its accomplishments -- and that's great. Regarding your loss of Eddie Crosby, you have my sincere sympathy -- I thought that he was working hard to try to operationally execute on the CSC vision (i.e., We will be the most recognized state youth soccer organization of choice fostering competition, creating opportunities and encouraging participation at every level of play.) I hope that CSC doesn't give up on that vision, and I hope you can find someone who is willing to continue to attempt to operationally execute on that vision.

Isn't Eddie a teacher too? Maybe the time was too much to do both? Maybe the pay wasn't enough? Does anyone know what CSC was paying him for DOC? These are legitimate reasons for anyone to step down from a job.

socdad,
Please kindly reference any comment I have ever made that denigrates CSC soccer?
Thanx

socdad sounds like a board member trying to backpedal alittle now. I remember in the fall 2003 when people at CSC were questioning Eddie and some went so far as to discuss removing him. maybe Eddie got frustrated and sick of the board.

or maybe Talon is correct. I dont think the pay is very good at all.

So, the next question is: who will replace Crosby? Hiller again? Dont really see anyone else on staff that is qualified.

Is Clark Brisson, the DOC at Bridge, a part-time or full-time employee of Bridge?

Well, it is about time Dennis Cook got his shot - don't you think? Assistant Coach at Irmo ("Hey, you know I am the assistant at Irmo."), Club Coach for years (still has nightmares about Lionel from Sumter), Runs Many Tournaments, and has Officiated at a Very High Level.

Business and employee relationships are best kept private, not on an open message board.

Darren: Thank you for responding. You mean to tell me that it's a secret as to whether your DOC is part-time or full-time? Wow...I never would have imagined...I honestly wasn't trying to be rude.

In any case...back to what prompted my question...

If I were associated with CSC, my first question wouldn't be "who's the next DOC?" My first question would be "Do we need a full-time DOC to accomplish our vision/goals or do we need only a part-time DOC and we can use the financial savings in other ways to accomplish our vision/goals?"

Of course, a lot of this depends on whether the vision/goals are still appropriate, i.e., does the board still wish to be the "...most recognized state youth soccer organization..." [from the vision statement]?

It seems to me that other youth soccer organizations have been "upping the ante" in terms of their goals and operations, so asking some fundamental questions about the nature of how CSC must be structured before choosing a successor is probably CSC's first step. The board letter seemed to reflect at least some of that.

One last note: as someone who wants to see South Carolina youth soccer become more competitive regionally and nationally, I think it would be great if CSC made the DOC position full-time -- unless I'm mistaken, it would mark CSC as the only club with a full-time DOC position in the midlands.

You would probably be correct... although I do not know how Tripp is compensated.

The cost of a full time person would be high and would need to be supported with funds from participation. Since the numbers are not there, it would either be very costly per capita or greater numbers would have to be found. This brings you back to 04striker and midlands clubs.

Chico, correct me if I am wrong, both Pearse and Andrew are full time and there may be others.... but CESA has a very extensive recreation program especially at the younger ages... it is my understanding that rec programs are the cash cow for clubs. This would be an interesting topic to discuss with BridgeFA as well as they do not have rec programs.

Nevertheless, your point is well taken I would have many questions myself, including the Berson factor at CSC. To the best of my knowledge EC and Berson got along well.

Futbol,
How expensive is the recreation arm of CESA? How does that compare with the cost of recreation at other clubs? What is the comparison in terms of coaching for these teams?

I would be willing to bet that the main cash cow for CESA would be their tournaments. tournaments, when ran properly as CESA does, can be huge money makers. NECSA has a decent rec base, but Tripp is still part time.

It would appear to an outsider that CESA has also done a better job at attracting sponsors.Just guessing, but I imagine the European business community would be more receptive to soccer than some domestic companies.

Chico,

Didn't mean to imply the question was rude. I've become increasingly concerned with the use of this board by anonymous posters. There has been what appears to me to be an increase of throwing names around. This includes the use of player names in ODP discussions, now coaches/DOC names, and even board members, not necessarily all in a flattering manner. I do know that anonymity can affect some peoples ability to "communicate". So my response was probably more out of this frustration than anything else.

More to your point, there is one DOS at Bridge FA. If that fits in your mind as a full time person, then it is. If you're asking based on a number of hours per week, then I need to know what your defintion of full/part time is.

Yeah, you have BMW, Michelin and others in upstate. I doubt you are gonna get much money from Hardaway Concrete in Cola.
I am sure Chico will give us a sponsorship analysis soon.

Darren: I completely understand that there are some things that are secret in a club...and this may be one of those things. What I was referring to was basically whether Bridge had a DOC that could devote themselves full-time (i.e., without the need for another full-time job outside of the club) to execution the operational strategy of the club. My theory was that you did, and I was going to use that as a reason that other clubs might want to consider it.

Again...I apologize if the question was tactless...I honestly threw it out there without much thought...sorry...

It's putting the cart before the horse to try to understand if any entity can afford something before that entity decides what it wants to do...it's a semantic null. First, you have to decide what it is that you want to do...then you prioritize your goals...and then and only then do you start looking at how you afford to do it. As an example: I need both my legs. Wait a minute -- one of my children is in a fire and I'll have to sacrifice my leg to save the child? Take the leg -- no problem.

I can tell you that there is no magic bullet financially for youth soccer clubs or any other entity. As an example -- years ago I heard the theory that in youth soccer clubs recreation subsidized select. I even understand where this comes from...very simple financial models that don't take into account allocation models for large ticket items such as debt service, administrative costs, operational costs, etc. It may actually be true in some cases; however, more typically revenue (i.e., fees) are constrained by competition and the expenses when allocated on a per-player model don't allow "cash cows" in on-going operations.

In terms of the detailed inner workings of any club's financial model: that should be a source of competitive advantage for the club itself. Each club will be different -- some will have municipal land, others won't -- some will have large rec programs, other's won't -- and so on.

But, again, the bottom line is that first an entity must decide what it wants to be, and then go about trying to understand and work on being able to afford it. If you want to be a soccer club that can offer a wider range of services that is commonly available in your geographic area, the key is how much you can differentiate via intellectual property. And the most important intellectual property of any youth soccer club lies in the directors and the coaches.

Chico,
So, would you say that it is unfair to compare other clubs to CESA since they are different - more comprehensive? Is this comparing apples to oranges?

prettyricky: What I would really say is that you can't compare any youth soccer club to any other without a whole lot of effort to normalize the clubs...just as I can't compare Merck and Amgen without thoroughly understanding first their goals and secondly their different operational models. And neither Merck nor Amgen are going to give you any of their competitive advantage in terms of the operational financial strategy or even tactics.

That sounded very fancy; so let me put it another way. The way I judge clubs is first by looking at what they say they want to achieve and then by comparing it to what they actually achieve. Some clubs want to provide great classic teams; so I look at how they do in classic competition. Some clubs want to compete regionally and nationally; so I look at how they do in region and national competition. Some clubs want to feed high schools; so I look at how the high school teams they feed do.

Bringing this full circle: any club that wants to be the best in SC now is competing with multiple clubs that want to be regionally and nationally competitive. There's nothing wrong with wanting to do that; but there are a whole set of priorities that are then forced upon you. To use an analogy: you can't walk into Baskin Robbins, have someone ask you what flavor you want, and you say "yes" -- your priorities will be constrained by what you want to achieve.

Chico... I really enjoy your insights... it is likely that tournaments and other revenues would be a major source of income, but to have two full time DOCs, would require far more.... maybe it is sponsorship, maybe it is something else...

Frankly I agree with Bridge in that either a separate thread should be started or since it is a private matter leave well enough alone.

I do however wonder what are the possibilities....

Hate I can't add more to this discussion, but let me congratulate all of you for contributing to a very enlightening subject -- that is what this Message Board was intended for all along. Good job!

just don't drop any names or we will lose bridge fa as a player!

Why don't we start a thread on the type of soccer balls clubs use. Or maybe where they get their nets and what color paint they use for their fields.

Paint ....now there is a topic in need of discussion...

this board and its association proudly uses SPALDING!!!!!!

I'm going to go out on a limb here, but I will stop short of using the clubs name due to ethical and political implications, but I heard that a certain club in the upstate uses blue paint for their fields.

I once played on a field..marked with blue AND orange paint!!!

..I nearly suffered an epileptic seizure. I wrote the SCHSL demanding their program be sanctioned..but withdrew my claim due to threats against my family. Field paint is indeed a topic few will martyr themselves for..not even myself.

Chico,
It is too easy to sit back an give a perspective that you are not directively involved in. The "bridge" is in it's infancy, and should be commended for it's early success. One person does not create the club's success. MANY ARE INVOLVED.

quote:

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Originally posted by Chico:
Darren: I completely understand that there are some things that are secret in a club...and this may be one of those things. What I was referring to was basically whether Bridge had a DOC that could devote themselves full-time (i.e., without the need for another full-time job outside of the club) to execution the operational strategy of the club. My theory was that you did, and I was going to use that as a reason that other clubs might want to consider it.

Again...I apologize if the question was tactless...I honestly threw it out there without much thought...sorry...

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erb: I stated specifically here that I believed it was too early to judge Bridge.

Okay...regardless...what specific "perspective" are you talking about? Where do you believe that someone is giving too much credit to one individual for Bridge?

I'm glad that the discussion has led you to post your first message -- and I'm sure it's my own stupidity -- but I'm trying to understand specifically what you're talking about -- is it something I said or is it something that you don't like about the thread in general?

Granted, Bridge are in their first year. They have done well and should be congratulated on their success thus far. However, CESA are in only their second year, and most of the comments/tone on this message board pertaining to that club seem to be negative. Why is this?

The "Evil" Red & Black machine is hated world wide. It is evil very, very evil. People must hide from this evil machine.
Reason = Envy. People can't stand to see that a merger between GFC and St Giles actually is working and has become such a success.

Seems that the U15/U16 boys playoff games are posponed until the premier league games are finished and seeding is determined. Look at the hotstat SC challenge league state cup seedings.

I don't think you can blame SCYSA for not anticipating this scenario. They aren't the only ones this has happened too....WAGS wasn't prepared to cancel their tournament...

Soccermom...U15/U16 boys playoff games are already underway...

My error on the U16 boys. I do believe that the top seed of the U15 boys gets a bye, and the second seed U15 boys game says postponed. http://hotstat.com/team.cfm?TID=19275
Neither seed has a team name on it in the main age area.

How did the first rounds go? I was trying to keep Pookie under raps and did not see any scores.

That is confidential there Nino.

Scores (boys) that I know of:

Bridge 88 Gold 5-0 over Northside
Bridge 88 Red 2-2 CESA Challenge wins in PKs
Bridge 89 Gold 2-1 over Lexington in OT
Bridge 90 Gold 4-0 over MPSC White
Bridge 90 Red 2-2 CESA Challenge wins in PKs