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Chicago Fire FC

Fire Announces Partnership with Aurora East Public School District 131

August 14, 2002 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Chicago Fire FC News Release


CHICAGO, IL (Wednesday, August 14, 2002) - In its efforts to continue to give back to the community, the Chicago Fire today announced a new alliance with the Aurora East Public School (AEPS) District 131 to further nourish the educational and physical well-being of children in East Aurora. The partnership will allow elementary students within the AEPS-District 131 to participate in soccer leagues this fall, and the Fire will host two clinics this year to train volunteer coaches to help lead their students through the soccer season.

"This partnership is important to the development of youth soccer in an area that is hungry for the sport," said Fire General Manager Peter Wilt. "We are proud that the Fire is able to use its resources to create this important program. Giving kids opportunities to participate in soccer gives them positive alternatives for their leisure time."

Beginning next month, AEPS-District 131 will implement soccer programs in twelve (12) elementary schools for fourth and fifth grade students. To ensure that the participating students receive proper soccer instruction, the Fire will donate soccer equipment and assist with the training of AEPS coaches. AEPS will be responsible for managing the program, including games and tournaments.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for both East Aurora and the Chicago Fire," said AEPS-District 131 Superintendent Dr. Michael Radakovich. "We are lucky to have such a fine link to a professional organization that wants to share and offer assistance to the students of District 131."

In addition to donating soccer equipment and training coaches, the Fire will also be scheduling mascot and player appearances at AEPS-District 131 schools.

"Like the scholarships for the Fire Academy generated by the FireWorks For Kids Foundation, this program gives talented young players an opportunity to improve their skills with more and better training and more and better competition," added Wilt.

Currently in its fifth year of existence, the Chicago Fire was founded on October 8, 1997 as a Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion team. The Fire captured the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup in the team's inaugural season in 1998. The Fire also won the 2000 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and 2000 and 2001 MLS Central Division titles.

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