History

There are many in our community that could do a much more adequate job explaining the history of the Jerseyville Strykers Soccer Club. If you are one of those "if the know," I strongly encourage you to comment to this posting. I think we would all be interested in the specific details.
Here is what I do know . . . .

The Club was established in 1991 by a few men in the community to serve two basic purposes: 1) to grow the soccer players in Jerseyville; and 2) to promote strong Christian character traits in those players as they play the game. These purposes were carried out in two formats: traveling teams and summer camp. For many years, Stryker players were able to travel to local areas and enjoyed a certain level of success. The teams were typically hand-picked and would fluctuate each year. Again . . . . this part of the history is vague to me because I was not necessarily around to play or to coach any of the players.

Where I come on to the scene would be in 1999 when I helped with the summer camp. For the next two years I was one of the camp coaches, helping with the youngest age groups. When my oldest son began playing for the Parks and Recreation Department, I decided to coach. Stryker teams were practically at a stalemate. I heard about the Carlinville Kickoff Classic and the fact that Jerseyville teams would send one or two Stryker teams there. I called my previous Park and Rec. team and took them as my first co-ed Stryker team. At that point, I became passionate about helping the Jerseyville Strykers Soccer Club grow into the best soccer organization in this area.
In 2005, I had a conversation with the Coordinators about the future of the Stryker program. We agreed that I should take it over because I not only had two of my own boys playing for the teams, but I also firmly believed in the Stryker's purposes. [By the way, I will have another post about that specific topic very soon.] I was a little over ambitious and in that year's Carlinville tournament, I coached two teams. Yes, I was crazy for that. The 2006 Stryker Camp was a transition year where I began to take the reins of the program. I began to add coaches and teamsand opportunities for play. I am proud of the fact that there are now five strong teams and six committed coaches.
Yes, I've left out a lot of details for you to fill in. Now it is your turn. I can't wait to read what you say.