VIP Special Needs Program- AYSO Soccer Region 372

VIP Special Needs Program

Game Plans

Our games are Saturdays during the regular AYSO soccer season. Games are 9 am-10:15 on Fields A, B and C at the upper fields of the Mundelein Community Park. Coaches arrive at 8:30am and Buddies at 8:45, to greet Players who arrive by 9am..

VIP Spring 2010 SCHEDULE

Date Time
04/10/10 9:00 AM
04/17/10 9:00 AM
04/24/10 9:00 AM
05/01/10 9:00 AM
05/08/10 9:00 AM
05/15/10 9:00 AM
05/22/10 9:00 AM
05/29/10 no game
06/05/10 9:00 AM

AYSO Region 372 VIP Program Information

Mundelein Area’s American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) Region 372 offers a successful, high-quality, award-winning VIP (Very Important Player) program for children with special needs.

Please click on the links below to learn more.

Who are the Coaches and Referees?

The Coaches and Referees are a dedicated group of volunteers with backgrounds related to special recreation (social work, special education, nursing, youth sports management, physical training, sign language) or with the willingness to be ‘friendly, flexible and fun’. All adult volunteers receive a required VIP training to be certified to work on the VIP fields.

Who are the Buddies?

‘Buddy’ volunteers are youth ages 10 and older who are trained to the program, and help the players on and off the field. Youth come from middle and high schools, youth organizations and teams, scouts, and religious organizations. Our best recruiters of youth volunteers are the Buddies themselves. The Buddies work with the players 1-1 to teach soccer skills and familiarity to the game, and support the players during game time. Buddies physically support the players on the field, encourage the players to participate and stay focused, or cheer from the sidelines, depending on the abilities and needs of each players. Our more experienced buddies also lead the team warm-ups and help with coaching. The VIP Players and Youth Buddies are the center of the program. Buddy volunteers are kids age 10 and older, who receive training, support, a cool t-shirt and weekly snacks, in order to help the players learn soccer and have fun.

What do the players and buddies actually do on game days?

The Buddies, Coaches and Referees meet for updates and field set-up each Saturday by 8:45am. Then the Buddies greet the players who arrive by 9am. The Buddies and Players begin with individual teaching, skill-building and practice working in pairs. Then the teams do group non-competitive stretching and warm-up drills. After a water break, the games begin, played in 2 10-minute halves. The players do a ‘good sports’ line-up and hand shake at the end and enjoy a snack with the other teams. All VIP games are played at the upper fields at Mundelein Community Park, sponsored by Mundelein AYSO Region 372 in cooperation with the Park District.

Why did you develop the program?

A group of AYSO volunteers, Board members and community representatives have worked together since 2002 to develop the program, refine training, and manage the program. It is based off of a national AYSO model, and has been adapted to meet the needs of the players in our community. “As a parent and social worker, I know that the players and buddies are in a win-win situation from their experiences with each other. My own children participate as Buddies, and have increased their views of what is means to be ‘different’, ‘need help’ and ‘give of themselves’.” The VIP program upholds a central AYSO philosophy of ‘everyone plays’, and everyone benefits.

SUCCESS

Many of the players have progressed from being afraid of the ball and playing field to preparing for the AYSO National Games which took place in Libertyville July of 2006. Parents tell us of players sleeping in their uniforms due to excitement for the game days. The program has grown to include additional game fields, the players being selected for particular fields based on abilities and safety. The game fields play adjacent to each other at the same time. Parents can relax and network with other parents on the sidelines.
Our VIP program is succeeding in the AYSO philosophy of ‘everyone plays’, with 3 playing fields and over 50 youth volunteers. The program has been spotlighted in Chicago Parent magazine, Mundelein Journal, Daily Herald, Pioneer Press and … on ABC news, for our growing program, dedicated volunteers and participation in the AYSO National Games.

Highlights of our VIP program include recognition of our program for our model training programs for volunteers, the quality growth of our players, and for our exceptional volunteers. With Sign Language classes for Buddies and AYSO Players, additional playing fields, Advanced Buddy training and Youth Referee options, we are succeeding in helping the Very Important Players become part of our AYSO community. Enrollment has increased by word of mouth, yet we need more BUDDIES! Come visit us on Saturdays at 9am at the upper fields at Mundelein Community Park and see for yourself! Registration for Players and Buddies is ongoing.

Volunteer Spotlights

TRUDY BALOGH, Head Coach

Trudy Balogh is our newest VIP coach. She has over 25 years of special education experience working in the public schools as a speech-language pathologist. This year she also volunteered her time as an active member in a county-wide service project, the Options Resource Fair. This resource fair brought agencies together to help provide information to parents of special needs children. Trudy’s daughter, Jennifer, began as a Buddy 2 years ago, which introduced Trudy to the program.

LISA CODER, Head Coach and Program Developer

Lisa Coder is one of the coaches that have been involved in the VIP program since its inception. Bringing 15 years of childcare experience, and her skills as an American Sign Language interpreter, she filled a niche the team needed. Lisa’s son, Jesse, has also been active with the program as a Buddy since 2004. Finding personal fulfillment working with the parents, buddies and VIP’s, Lisa says that, “I believe the good you send into the world will spread to others and hopefully become infectious. Donating my time and energy so that others may have joy, is a blessing to me.” She looks forward to many years of AYSO VIP play where ‘everyone plays’, and everyone wins.

KATIE ELLIOTT, Assistant Coach

I have been involved in the sport of soccer for 15 years and played for a variety of teams in both Colorado and Illinois. Since I began playing, I also worked as an assistant coach for a travel team in Lake Forest. I have participated in the VIP program for 4 years, working and being involved when I am home from Marquette University, where I am now a junior. Since starting to work for this program I have greatly enjoyed seeing the growth and development of each of the players and the teams- it keeps me coming back each year!

VIRGINIA ELLIOTT, Head Coach

I first got involved with soccer 12 years ago in Denver, Colorado, as a team mom. As the team progressed to travel soccer I became the team manager and substitute coach. We then moved to Illinois where I took a larger role and spent 5 years managing Travel Soccer programs. My daughter Katie became involved in the VIP program and immediately was taken with the players and the concept that she convinced me to give it a try. I have now been with the VIP program for two years and would not trade it for anything else. I love seeing the smiles on our players’ faces and the joy they have being part of a team. Being part of that team gets me out there each week, and working to give them the best they deserve.

DEL PARRA, Referee and VIP Program Developer

I have been working with Mundelein School Districts for almost 10 years, and have held other community service positions related to Disability and Hispanic advocacy and Voter Registration. My soccer experience has including coaching for GLSA, refereeing for AYSO, and now refereeing with the VIP program since its first Saturday on the fields in 2004. Currently I am the Director of the Family Resource Center at Diamond Lake School District 76 in Mundelein, and was recently awarded as the Recipient of the Boys Scouts of America President Award for starting and supporting a ‘Soccer and Scouting’ program here in Mundelein. I am very proud to work in many areas and capacities with the population of our community.

KEN PECHTL, Assistant Coach, Referee and Youth Leader

Kenny Pechtl joined the VIP program as a Buddy when it started, and has continued on as a Buddy, Assistant Coach and now a Youth Referee. He enjoys organizing warm-ups, teaching the Players soccer, and supporting the Players from the field and sidelines. He has played AYSO soccer since he was 5 years old, and began with travel soccer as a U10 player, so he has a lot to teach the players at their ability levels. ‘It is easy to get up early and come out to the VIP fields, because the kids count on me, and I like to help them improve and have fun.’

JODY SCHUHART, Head Coach

Jody joined our coaching staff with over 10 years experience in coaching youth sports with the Spring Lake Sports League (SLSL) in Lincolnshire, IL. In addition to coaching, Jody held a number of administrative positions including basketball commissioner and then 4 years on the SLSL Board, first as a basketball director and then Board vice president. When her younger daughter “aged out” at the end of her eighth grade year, Jody thought her coaching days were over! Thanks to an invitation from Valerie Walker, Jody has enthusiastically returned to coaching soccer. She has always loved coaching youth – particularly the part of teaching the basics that help build a player’s skill – no matter what age or ability. “Returning to coaching with the VIP program has been incredibly rewarding. I really enjoy working with my players and look forward to planning skill-building activities for my team. Working with the Buddies has also been a great experience and a tremendous asset for teaching skills.”

JENNIFER VERMAZEN, Head Coach

I have been a special education teacher for 7 years. I taught in East Maine School District #63 and I am currently teaching in Diamond Lake School District #76. I have seen the work of VIP soccer help players in many areas of their lives. The skills they learn on the field not only help them with soccer skills but it allows the players to become more successful in school. I am rewarded every Saturday morning as every player on the field makes progress in their own way. I knew that I was going to be continuing to volunteer on this team when a parent said this to me after the first game, "My child is playing just like her sister gets to play. It is the one time during the week that I can just sit back, watch, and enjoy my child. Thank you for helping this to happen. It means the world to our family."

VALERIE WALKER, VIP Director, Coach/Referee, AYSO 372 Board Member

Valerie joined the Mundelein Area AYSO Board of Directors in 2002 with almost 20 years of social work, special recreation, community organizing and some parenting experience behind her. After learning about nation wide VIP programs, she began work to develop one for the Mundelein community in 2003. Thanks to support from the AYSO Board, community networks, incredible volunteers and heartwarming VIP families, Valerie takes a breath of gratitude each Saturday morning for being able to create this win-win experience for the community. When she is not planning, training, networking and mentoring for the VIP program, she gives time as a social worker, school board member, church volunteer, girl scout leader and most importantly, as the mother of four spirited children.

DAVE ZEIGER, Referee

Dave Zeiger was already giving his time to Mundelein Area American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) as his daughter’s coach and referee when he was pursued to participate as a Referee in the VIP program for children with disabilities. In addition to offering his time as a referee, David has taken an active role in developing the VIP program from its Pilot phase to a nationally recognized and successful program. David’s individual contributions have included improved Field Development and Oversight, Warm Ups and Team-Building among the participants, coordination of Safety and Fields for VIP tournaments, and the promotion of an overall sense of community among families in the program.

They laugh. They score goals.
They make friends. They have fun.
And they are part of a team.

National AYSO site www.soccer.org

Mundelein AYSO Region 372
Contact Us

Everyone Plays
Balanced Teams - Open Registration
Positive Coaching - Good Sportsmanship

Player Development