SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Club Soccer & ODP CESA-Columbia

CESA-Columbia: A New Choice in the Midlands
May 12, 2006; Columbia, SC

CESA-Columbia has been created to offer parents and players a new local youth soccer choice in the Columbia and midlands area. CESA-Columbia will offer the year-around training and coaching practices here in the midlands of South Carolina that has led to 19 South Carolina Challenge Cup state championships of the last 24.

“CESA-Columbia was conceived and created based on the demand by Columbia-area parents for the best possible training and coaching for their children”, said Pearse Tormey, President of CESA-Columbia. “Winning state championships and the like is great; however, the real way that each parent judges a club is the ability of the club to allow each child to reach her or his potential.”

Andrew Hyslop, Vice President and the Executive Director of Soccer Operations for CESA-Columbia, added, “Players deserve coaches who are focused year-around on helping that player achieve her or his goals. We wouldn’t have created this club unless we were sure we could not only incorporate proven best-in-class training techniques but also that we could attract some of the best coaches in the Columbia area.”

CESA-Columbia today released the names of several of the coaches that have agreed to join the club:

• Jim Heilich: Coach Heilich will train and coach for CESA-Columbia. Coach Heilich has been a member of the CESA coaching staff since the club’s inception and was the former Director of Coaching of Columbia Futbol Club.

• Chris Christian: Coach Christian will train and coach for CESA-Columbia. Coach Christian most recently led the Columbia Soccer Club U13 boys to a Challenge Cup State Championship last season and led the U17 girls to a challenge cup state finalist position.

• Bert Molinary: Coach Molinary will train and coach for CESA-Columbia. Coach Molinary is also an assistant coach with the University of South Carolina Men’s Soccer program.

• Mat Cosgriff: Coach Cosgriff will serve as a goalkeeper coach for CESA-Columbia. Coach Cosgriff is also a University of South Carolina Women’s Soccer assistant coach.

• Alex Maslow: Coach Maslow will serve as a goalkeeper coach for CESA-Columbia. Coach Maslow is also an assistant coach with the University of South Carolina Men’s Soccer program.

Tormey and Hyslop said that more coaches would be announced in the next few weeks.

“We will also be working with other clubs in the area that have historically proven themselves dedicated to offering superior training and coaching. This isn’t about trying to force parents into only one choice; this is about doing what is best for the children of Columbia,” Tormey and Hyslop added. When pressed for an example, Hyslop replied, “CRSA is an example of a club that historically has offered superior training and coaching in the Columbia area. It’s difficult to count how many players have gone on from that club to play on state championship teams. We hope to work closely with clubs of that caliber to benefit Columbia children.”

Tryout dates, locations, and associated information for the club will be announced by Thursday, May 18.

A web site, http://www.cesa-columbia.com , has been established and will be the source for all official news and information concerning CESA-Columbia.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! God answers soccer prayers too.

What is the affiliation with CRSA?

Fields??

I think that the reason they used the term "working with" versus a more specific term like "partnership" [which is absolutely outlawed by the SCYSA] or "alliance" [which seems to be allowed, but may be fraught with questions] is that they're being very careful. However, it seems clear from the text above that CESA wants to "work with" CRSA...probably in the exact same manner as described initially.

My guess is that this club will be "working with" CESA as well given their club name and the people participating.

I'd be surprised if they are much more specific than this in the short-term; it seems sometimes the more vague you are the less you can be attacked.

Regarding fields, I heard that they had secured multiple [I don't know how many] lighted fields; I don't know where or how. I'd guess that they're going to announce more either when they announce tryout details or soon thereafter.

Does anyone know what kinds of teams will be formed - rec, classic, challenge, premier? Also, how, if at all, will this affect the Cola area people currently going to Greenville to train?

I heard tonight they will field at least challenge and below teams.

>>[scotland] Does anyone know what kinds of teams will be formed - rec, classic, challenge, premier?<<

I would think it completely depends on the players and even whole teams who come to tryouts.

>>Also, how, if at all, will this affect the Cola area people currently going to Greenville to train?<<

As someone who has a kid who has been going to CESA's Columbia training for years now, it's hard to see it as doing anything but offering even more options. There has already been at least one of the coaches listed above and other D1 coaches training at these sessions for years; now there seem to be even more available assuming that CESA and CESA-Columbia are somehow working together [a hypothesis of which I'm assuming but have no proof.]

PARIENTS........omg
"This isn’t about trying to force parents into only one choice; this is about doing what is best for the children of Columbia,” Tormey and Hyslop added."
Pretty nervy to make a statement like that in these here parts of the woods.......are ya'll falling for this?
How many choices are there in the Greenville area, if I remember correctly, CESA is the only game in town for Greenville, Spartenburg and Mauldin and all parts in between! Kevin I certainly hope you read into the "suck up" lines created there just for you guys caught between the North and West sides of town, puleeeeeeeeease.....
To CESA, please, don't advertise yourselves at the expense of others......the merger of CSC and NECSA was a long time coming. Those of us who have children capable of playing on the Challenge/Premier level were tired of competing with the people from the other side of town as we all saw that we have good teams but together we can have GREAT teams. Isn't that what CESA saw too?
For you parents who are not too familiar with all of this "stuff".......the coaches for all clubs are completitive and good ones......make your choice for your child based on what suits you and your schedules best.
I have 3 children who all played club soccer, the oldest played in college on scholarship (it was not the experience it is made out to be, very hard on student athletes to maintain the balance, but it was done) the middle one sat the bench in HS, much to our disappointment, but you know what, his was the better experience because the friends he made in soccer, are his friends today.......life long friends, life long recreation........that should be the motivation for your child. The third has chosen to no longer play classics for another sport. So you never know what the outcome of the experiences for child will be. So choose the club that is best for you, convenient drive (gas costs should be figured in here), reasonable fees, and most of all people who you like or will want to get to know and enjoy being around. Otherwise, it will be a miserable experience regardless of what club you have chosen to play for.
So parents, be smart, we all know that athletic ability can be taken away in a heart beat, but the sportsmanship, and relationships will remain forever if choices are made in the best interest of the whole child, and the whole family!

Besides, why do we need another club here? What is the motivation besides mo money, mo money, mo money? Parents, please beware and do your research well before you committ to these carpet baggers. Please go play in Lexington or with CRSA before you give your hard earned money to people who have no loyality to your hometown.