Chicago Fire Premier

It has definitely been a while since I last updated this blog; not because I don't care, but because I've had 0 time lately.

So, I figured I'd share with ya'll what has been taking up all my time.

Two weeks ago, I got an internship with the Chicago Fire Premier. They are an organization, or "zone" if you will, within the Chicago Fire Player Development Pyramid. I thought I'd draw up a little something to better explain this, since I know not all of you are as soccer obsessed as I am, and it can get a little confusing!

Ok so, The Chicago Fire has a Player Development Pyramid that they use to find and develop talent in Chicago and the surrounding area. At the bottom of the pyramind (Zone 1) is the U8-U17 Youth squads, otherwise known as the Chicago Fire Juniors. Basically these are the club teams that we played on when we were young. Then there is Zone 2, the US Soccer Development Academy. This zone is comprised of high-school aged kids who are so talented that they are better off playing competively in this league than playing high school ball. I work for Zone 3, which is the U19 to U23 Men, known as a whole as, Chicago Fire Premier. There are several teams located in this zone, but I am working almost exclusively for the Chicago Fire Premier PDL squad, which is the U23 team (and also the most highly talented of the bunch) and a little bit for Super-20. At the top of the Pyramid, Zone 4, is the Major League Soccer Team.

So, in a little less than a month after I moved, I am working one step below where my dream job is. So close I can taste it.

You might like these two graphics as well!

It's been a whirlwind. My boss, who is the President of the Chicago Fire Premier, is just as passionate about soccer in this country as I am, and we share a lot of the same beliefs about US Soccer in general. He brought me on and immediately put me in charge of the other two interns he had. Since we're only 2 weeks away from our home opener, there has been a lot to get done. Just to give you an idea, this past week I have done all of these things:

1) Research youth clubs in the area for the Chicago Fire Premier to partner with
2) Research locations to hold our summer camps at
3) Spent a day at Toyota Park (where the first team plays) in the locker rooms getting the uniforms we need together
4) Went to a sales pitch meeting at Mellos Peanut Co., they will be supplying snacks for our concession stand and also for our Mellos Pop Corner Kick.
5) Took a Stadium Tour of Evanston Township High School's Lazier Field, where we will be playing our home games (this high school stadium is nicer than most college stadiums I've seen)

6) Went to a meeting with the Pioneer Press to get them to run publicity for our team
7) Picked up the first arriving players at the airport
8) Got the first bunch of guys arranged in their hotel rooms
9) So on and so forth

It's been absolutely crazy, but I LOVE it! Most days, I want to pinch myself. It's hard to believe that I'm really working in soccer, that I really get to spend my time "selling" the game that I love and hanging out with like-minded people. This isn't work, it's fun. I mean, this is what I live for...and the perks are awesome too: free tickets to Chicago Fire games, free Chicago Fire swag, canoodling with soccer players. While my position as the Sales and Marketing Coordinator with the Chicago Fire Premier is only an unpaid internship for now, I have a feeling this will turn into a job if I bide my time.

I'm definitely looking forward to the next few weeks to come!