ST. PAUL, Minn. (Monday, December 20, 2004) - The Shattuck St. Mary's School, in collaboration with the Minnesota Thunder pro soccer team, has announced the addition of a boys' and girls' elite level soccer development program. The School, located in Faribault, Minn., will utilize Thunder director of youth development Tim Carter, a former US Soccer national staff coach and director of youth development, to direct the program scheduled to start in August 2005. It marks the first time in the United States that a school has partnered with a professional soccer team to launch an elite development program.
Shattuck St. Mary's and the Thunder will assist elite level student-athletes to achieve standards experienced only in youth academies conducted throughout the world by professional teams. Supporting the athletes academic pursuits in this unique program will be the faculty and staff of Shattuck St. Mary's.
"With nearly 150 years of experience developing young men and women as they prepare for their college years," says Shattuck St. Mary's Headmaster Nicholas Stoneman, "we have a true understanding of how to conduct and support a program that blends rigorous academics with successful, athletic specialization."
Shattuck St. Mary's intends to model the soccer program after its nationally renowned hockey program. In November of 2003, Sports Illustrated wrote Shattuck St. Mary's "is to high school hockey what Harvard is to law school," reflecting on the hockey program currently thriving at the school.
"You can not find another program in the country that combines the high-end education of Shattuck St. Mary's and the elite-level soccer direction of the Minnesota Thunder and Tim Carter," said Thunder president Jim Froslid. "In terms of youth development, Tim's credentials are certainly at the top of his field in the United States."
By collaborating with the Minnesota Thunder, soccer-athletes gain instant access to experts in player development. "Not only do we have the infrastructure and understanding of how to support the elite level soccer-athlete, but more importantly, the Thunder brings the knowledge, experience and credibility necessary to develop this group of student-athletes," said Carter, who will divide his time between the Thunder and Shattuck St. Mary's.
The Shattuck St. Mary's Soccer Program will feature teams for both genders within its residency program. Following the model of the highly successful program for top boy's players within US Soccer's U-17 National Team Residency Program, Shattuck will provide a boy's program and the first female residency program for high school aged players in the United States, conducted in partnership with a professional team. The program will initially focus on players in the U-16 & U-15 age categories, playing throughout the school year in approximately 40 games. Competition will be comprised of tournament play and friendly games scheduled here in the U.S. and abroad. To provide perfect training conditions year round, a new sports complex featuring a state of the art indoor facility is in the final stages of approval.
In addition to Carter's work at US Soccer, his coaching background includes four years of professional and 17 years of collegiate experience. During his tenure with U.S. Soccer, he was responsible for developing programs for U.S. Soccer's Project 2010. Currently, he serves as Assistant Coach and Director of Youth Development for the Thunder.
"Shattuck St. Mary's fully understands the academic, athletic and social demands facing young elite level athletes," says Carter. "Their experience in this realm of development and the commitment to the pursuit of excellence provides an incredible opportunity for the serious soccer student-athlete. This program is for young men and women who want more from their soccer experience than is currently available in the country."
What others are saying about the new program:
"What Shattuck-St. Mary's is doing in Minnesota is terrific for the women's game. It's a natural fit to have a private high school hosting and training teenage female soccer players. Their development will be accelerated two fold. I wish them all well." -- April Heinrichs, US Women's National Team head coach
"Although extremely successful, US Soccer's Residency Program is only the tip of the iceberg. Professional clubs have to take the lead in creating developmental programs for our young players. The Minnesota Thunder has taken a great first step in creating their own residency program under the direction of Tim Carter. I expect this to be a great model for the rest of us." -- John Ellinger, former US U-17 Boys' National Team and current head coach of Major League Soccer's newest expansion franchise Real Salt Lake
"We continue to believe that player development initiatives of this type are very important across every level of our sport. Any program that helps create opportunities for development of young players, whether at the national or club level, is a positive for our sport." -- U.S. Soccer President Dr. S. Robert Contiguglia
"The announcement of the new soccer program at Shattuck-St. Mary's School blends two of the values that the MYSA embraces - education and development of a young player to their fullest potential in soccer and life. For those young athletes who are looking for excellence in academics and the sport of soccer, your program and facilities may be the answer to their dreams. We wish you success in building this program into one that will rival the accomplishments of your boy's hockey program." -- Ellie Singer, President, Minnesota Youth Soccer Association
For more information, contact Amy Wolf, Director of Admissions and Communication for Shattuck St. Mary's at 507-333-1655.
Shattuck-St. Mary's School is an Episcopal, college preparatory boarding and day school enrolling students in grades six through 12 plus a post-graduate program. The school, located in Faribault, Minnesota, 50 miles south of the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, occupies a 250-acre campus on the bluffs of the Straight River. The institution's approximately 300 students typically come from 28 states and 15 countries. Shattuck-St. Mary's Hockey program features an unprecedented three U.S. National Midget AAA championships in the past six seasons and ten NHL draft picks over the past two years. Most notable alumni include Ty Conklin (U.S. National team, Edmonton Oilers), Ryan Malone (Pittsburgh Penguins), and Joe Corvo (Los Angeles Kings).
The Minnesota Thunder, founded in 1990, is a professional soccer franchise that plays in the 12-team United Soccer Leagues First Division. The Thunder is considered one of the top pro teams in the country, advancing to the league finals in seven of the last 11 years, winning the national championship in 1999. Most notable alumni include 2002 US World Cup star Tony Sanneh and 1992 US Olympian Manny Lagos. The Thunder's home schedule runs May through September at James Griffin Stadium in St. Paul (I-94/Lexington Pkwy). Information on single-game and season tickets, as well as youth camps and academies, can be found on the team's website www.mnthunder.com or by calling (651) 917-TEAM (8326).
• Discuss this story on the USL First Division message board...
• Digg this story
• Add to Del.icio.us
USL First Division Stories from December 20, 2004
• Shattuck St. Mary's partners with Minnesota Thunder - Minnesota ThunderThe opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.