Website Manager

Call us today to learn more about our youth sports programs at (630) 978-2855!

Wheatland Athletics

News Detail

25

Sep, 2018

Interview with John Sidman (BSC President 2012-2016)

 John Sidman (Fourth President 2012-2016)

How long have you been with the club?

I got involved with the with the club in 2001, I was 29 years old then, my kids were 6, 3 , 1 and I just had a new born. We had just moved from Itasca, IL.

Role(s) in the club?

In 2001, I volunteered as an assistant coach for the elementary division but ended up being a head coach.

In 2002 I was approached to join the board as director of scheduling for 4 years and in 2008, I become VP for 4 years and then in 2012 I was elected as president for three consecutive terms.

Early enough I was also involved with the tournament board, from 2002 till 2016. I was on the tournament board helping to organize the labor day soccer festival which we hold every year during labor day week end.

I had also coached at the Rec. program level and in 2004 I was head coach for our U8 girls travel team. In 2007 I became head coach for the U7 Boys which I still coach to date, now they are the U17 Boys team. In 2016 , this team has won IYSA president cup.

What was your impression of the club before you joined, and you became a board member?

I did not know about the club, in 2001 when we moved to Bolingbrook, we just saw the park district add, my thoughts were that it is a small home town club, the board was still trying to grow the club, the Rec program was still in continuous growth, there was no mini soccers program, the travel program was not very large and it only ranged about 10 combined teams

What vision do you have for the club when you joined?

I wanted to make a difference in the kids’ life, wanted to contribute not just to my kids but to all the kids in the club. To this day I run into some of those kids and they come to me and say “Hi Coach”, seeing how these kids have grown and are now in high school and that I made in impact on them means the world to me.

What wishes do you want to see come true for the club ?

When I joined the club, I saw the growth of the rec program to 700 kids per season and the travel program from 10 teams to over 30 teams and I was excited to have the mini soccers program. We also have added the winter program which we conduct in Jan-Feb at the Step Ahead futsal facility.

The travel teams experience levels have increased due to more exposure to different competitive teams along with exposure to better quality soccer training

The club had retained its identity as a small town family oriented volunteer based club but also had elevated its objectives by becoming more competitive.

My wish as the club continues to grow is not to lose sight of who we are as a club and to keep the club a good development with fun filled soccer environment that serves our community for years to come

This is the best club that is volunteer based.

Do you have other comments?

I am proud of the time I spent with the club , I am proud of the club represents in our area, We are viewed as a high level club by different soccer organization like IYSA .

Contact Us

Wheatland Athletic Association

2323 Liberty St 
Aurora, Illinois 60502

Email Us: [email protected]
Phone : 630-978-2855
Copyright © 2024 Wheatland Athletic Association  |  Privacy Statement |  Terms Of Use |  License Agreement |  Children's Privacy Policy  Login