SUMMER 2008, MESSAGE FROM THE COMMISSIONER, CHRIS JEPSEN
To all Park Ridge Soccer members, 

As you know we have made many changes within PRS the past half dozen years.  None of those changes have been more pronounced than our web site.  I invite you to visit www.PRSoccer.com and view all the programs that we presently offer.  One of the enhanced communication capabilities that we now have is the ability to send broadcast emails to our members.  The opportunity to opt out of any messages does exist.  However keep in mind that in Spring of 2009 PRS is migrating to on line registration for our house league.  It is out intention to “go green” and not consume paper resources whenever possible.  Our members are telling us that email is the preferred method of communication.  To that end this message serves as our inaugural email to you, our members, announcing this new technology.  Our near term goal will be to send reminders to our members to register for house league via email instead of the old fashioned way via the U.S. mail but we will be doing both for the next several seasons.  So please be looking for that to begin over the winter for the Spring 2009 season.  Christopher Jepsen, Commissioner of Soccer 

SPRING 2008, MESSAGE FROM THE COMMISSIONER, CHRIS JEPSEN

It is my pleasure to introduce myself to you as Park Ridge Soccer’s Commissioner.  By way of background, I have been a resident of Park Ridge since 1989.  I have three boys and girl.  All have participated in both the house league and travel programs.  Two have also served as referees.   I am excited and honored to serve you in this capacity and look forward to an exciting Spring season.  PRS has almost 2000 participants in its travel and house league programs.

Improvements planned for 2008 by PRS

The organization has some important capital development projects in the works for 2008 that are being coordinated in conjunction with the Park Ridge Recreation and Park District.  High on the agenda are two (2) combination wash rooms/soccer storage buildings to be built at Woodland and Northeast Parks.   In addition we are working with the PRPD to build an attractive wood fence around Northeast Park, which would act as a barrier for vandals that have a history of doing damage at the Park with vehicles; most recently this winter.  Such damage costs in some cases 10s of thousands of dollars to taxpayers to fix the fields.  PRS strongly believes that our participants are entitled to the safest, best maintained fields that are practical.   Such a fence will serve as a permanent solution as it has at Woodland and Ni-Ridge Parks.  Also, we expect the entire Emerson facility to be ready for the Fall 2008 season.

We continue to strive to make soccer the most positive experience for all of our participants regardless of age or skill level—an experience that will leave a lasting imprint on young lives, whether as a player or referee.  Children should continue to learn and develop skills, build self-confidence and maximize success both individually and as a team.  They should be able to enjoy playing with their friends and making new ones.  Most of all we want the players to have fun!  The travel committee of PRS is also seeking to sponsor a “junior academy” for house league players that want to improve their skills and prepare for travel league tryouts that occur in early June.  It is envisioned that this program would have a modest additional fee and would be one night per week with training drills being directed by our travel team trainers.

Further, we are continuing to recruit referees for our soccer programs.  We have had a tremendous response to our referee training clinics.  A mentoring program has been developed to oversee and guide the younger and less experienced referees. 

As Commissioner, I wish to promote a spirit of volunteerism.  The success of this organization is dependent upon the contributions of so many individuals.  We need your help!  If you desire to be on a particular committee, please let us know.  You do not have to spend an inordinate amount of time—anything you can do to assist is beneficial and appreciated.   Also, please take a moment this season to say thank you to our volunteers—without their dedication and support, PRS cannot function successfully.  I wish to extend a personal thank you to the numerous volunteers, trainers, referee assignor and other administrators for their time and effort. 

Also, I wish to emphasize that players, parents and coaches are expected to abide by a code of conduct.  Respect must be shown for our referees, coaches and players at all times. 

Finally, please remember to visit our website at www.prsoccer.com for information, coaching tips, schedules and other important dates throughout the season.  This is a resource that we hope you find useful.  I hope that you all have a fun and successful Spring season that is filled with lots of memories.  I am very pleased to be a part of this organization, and I will make every effort to making Park Ridge Soccer an even better organization in the future. 

If you have any questions, concerns or recommendations or want to get involved in Park Ridge Soccer, please contact any of the other Directors or me. Thank you for your support,