Pros are gladly giving back
ELGIN -- Individual talent with the backing of dedication and determination goes a long way in becoming a professional athlete.
But every athlete needs help putting it all together. Those who play team sports must also learn how to work alongside and with teammates.
(Submitted/Major Indoor Soccer League)
Enter the middle man -- a coach.
For every good player there is generally a coach that has made an impact in his or her life, whether it was a lasting lesson taught early or late, or the accumulation of knowledge over a length of time.
"Coaches can make big impressions on kids and athletes at any level," Chicago Storm soccer player Chris Brisson said. "I was coached by a lot of good coaches growing up and there's no doubt I wouldn't be where I'm at today without them."
Which is why Brisson, a defender for the Storm -- a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League -- has decided to do what he can to return the favor.
"Coaching is a way for me to give back to a game that has done a lot for me," said Brisson, who is in his fifth year of professional soccer, including his third with the Storm. "It is my way of staying involved and maybe helping someone reach a goal they have."
Brisson is now in his seventh year of coaching youth soccer camps. The 2004 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee started "giving back" in college -- and the personal satisfaction that followed keeps him coming back for more.
Brisson, who began his professional career with the Minnesota Thunder, also coaches at the club level. He currently works with a South Elgin boys 10-and-under squad and a 13-and-under group of girls from West Chicago.
"I just enjoy (coaching) a ton," said Brisson, who will lead the Storm camp when it visits Elgin for a week-long session beginning Monday at the Elgin Sports Complex. "There are so many great things about it. Whether it's coaching kids who have never played before or kids who play competitive soccer, there's always something new to learn."
The Storm camp, which is still accepting registrations for its visit to Elgin, is in the middle of a busy summer. The program consists of 31 separate camps across 25 locations throughout the Chicago area. This is the fourth summer the organization has held summer camps and the turnouts continue to get larger every year.
"The trademarks of our camps are the connection we have with the local participants, and the fact that our actual players conduct the sessions," said Storm public and media relations director Charlie Corr. "You won't find too many other professional organizations that utilize their players to head a camp."
Campers of all skill levels range in age from 4 to 15. The half-day mini-kickers camps are for ages 4-6 and last from 9 a.m. to noon. Either half-day or full-day (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) camps are offered for kids ages 7-17. The Storm also offers specialty camps for goalkeepers and strikers, as well as team/club camps.
"Every day we do something different," Brisson said. "The camps are designed to be fun. The coaches get to build relationships with the kids and it's a cool experience for everyone. The idea behind the camp is just to keep kids playing soccer."
A typical day at the Storm camp begins with the coaches demonstrating the "skill of the day," a particular fundamental that is heavily stressed for that session. Players are then split into groups and a warm-up game ensues with a special emphasis on executing the skill such as dribbling, passing or shooting.
"The morning games involve the skill of the day," Brisson said. "We give extra points to players who use it."
After an hour-long lunch at noon, when half-day campers are dismissed, play resumes with more drills and exercises. The day is completed after a tournament-style scrimmage. At the completion of the week, campers receive free tickets to an upcoming Storm game at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates.
