America's center convention complex St. Louis, Mo: January 14-18.

On behalf of the NSCAA Board of Directors and the 28,000-plus members of the Association, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the 62nd Annual NSCAA Convention. Once again, we gather to share a January weekend of soccer fellowship and education.

The NSCAA has been a leader in soccer coaching education, setting the standard of excellence with its broad range of offerings and peer-to-peer, collegial instruction methods. The Association also has served as an example for other organizations to follow in its commitment to recognizing and embracing the wonderfully diverse population that comprises our membership. The program we will present in St Louis reflects the Association's commitment to the highest levels of coaching education and diversity.

The Convention also will be the springboard for an exciting new initiative, an Endowment Campaign by the NSCAA foundation. The Foundation's mission is to provide soccer coaching educational opportunities to underserved socioeconomic communities, geographic areas and ethnic groups throughout the United States. Please consider supporting this important program with a personal contribution, however small or large.

Special thanks to the City of St. Louis, to America's Center Convention Complex and the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Bureau for to contributions they have made to help make this weekend truly special. Our annual gathering would not be the unqualified success that it is without the untiring efforts of the NSCAA Convention Committee. Led by Convention Manager Rob Robinson, this group devotes countless hours to make this weekend the premier soccer event in the nation. To say "thank you" does not begin to cover to debt of gratitude we owe to this amazing group.

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Sincerely, Al Albert NSCAA President

Key Convention Events

Registration Opens * January 14, 2 p.m.

Opening Session * January 14, 7 p.m.

Major League Soccer SuperDraft * January 15, 1 p.m.

College Coaches Awards Reception * January 15, 5 p.m.

Exhibit Hall Grand Opening * January 15, 7 p.m.

High School Coaches Awards Breakfast * January 16, 8 a.m.

NSCAA Annual Business Meeting * January 16, 3 p.m.

NSCAA Awards Banquet * January 16, 7 p.m.

Women's Soccer Breakfast * January 17, 8 a.m.

NSCAA/adidas All-America Luncheon * January 17, Noon

Walt Chyzowych 4-A-Side Tournament * January 17, 6 p.m.

NSCAA Board of Directors

President * Al Albert, Williamsburg, Va.

Vice President, Convention and Awards * Randy Waldrum, Granger, Ind.

Vice President, Communications and Marketing * Marcia McBermott, Chicago, III.

Vice President, Education * Paul Payne, Bloomsburg, Pa.

Secretary * Ralph Polson, Spartanburg, S.C.

Immediate Past President * Steve Malone, Glen Burnie, Md.

Executive Director * Jim Sheldon, Kansas City, Kan.

College Men's Representative * George Perry, Monmouth, III.

College Women's Representative * John Daly, Williamsburg, Va.

High School Boys' Representative * Greg Mauch, Fort Wayne, Ind.

High School Girls' Representative * Marti Coan, Neenah, Wis.

Youth Boys' Representative * Tony McCall, Englewood, Colo. Youth Girls' Representative * Charlotte Moran, Churchville, Pa. Professional Men's Representative * Tim Holt, Tampa, Fla. Professional Women's Representative * Amanda Vandervort, Chicago, III. At-large Representatives * Lynn Berling-Manuel, Hawthorne, Calif.

Sam Okpodu, Newberry, S.C.

Marco Santillan, San Jose, Calif.

About the National Soccer Coaches Association of America

Based in Kansas City, Kan., the NSCAA is the largest coaches organization in the United States. Since its founding in 1941, it has grown to include more than 28,000 members who coach both genders at all levels of the sport. In addition to a national rankings program for colleges and high schools, NSCAA offers an extensive recognition program that presents nearly 10,000 individual awards every year. It fulfills its mission of coaching education through a nationwide program of clinics and week-long courses, teaching more than 6,000 soccer coaches each year. For membership information or to learn more about the NSCAA, visit their web site at www.NSCAA.com.

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The NSCAA Coaching Academy

The NSCAA Coaching Academy offers a wide range of educational opportunities to enhance the knowledge of soccer coaches. They include Non-Residential courses, conducted on an on-demand basis throughout the country, and Residential courses, week-long total immersion courses that address more advanced topics. The NSCAA's Goalkeeping Institute focuses on the education of coaches working with goalkeepers as a special and unique position to train.

2009 NSCAA Residential Academy Schedule

Date                              Site                 Courses Offered

March 30-April 5  Holiday Inn, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.   Premier

May 10-17         Oscar's Academy, Sao Paolo, Brazil   Premier

June 1-7          Stanford University, Palo Alto,      Premier
                  Calif.

June 1-7          Wofford College, Spartanburg, S.C.   National,
                                                       Advanced
                                                       National

June 8-14         Regis University, Regis, Colo.       National,
                                                       Advanced
                                                       National

June 8-14         San Francisco State University, San  National,
                  Francisco, Calif.                    Advanced
                                                       National

June 15-19        Amherst College, Amherst Mass.       National,
                                                       Advanced
                                                       National

July 6-12         Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg,   National,
                  Pa.                                  Advanced
                                                       National

                                                       Premier and
                                                       Master Coach

July 13-19        Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, III.     National,
                                                       Advanced
                                                       National

For more information or to download a registration form, please visit the Educating Coaches section of NSCAA.com.

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