Thanks to everyone who attended
Bowling Fundraiser!

Special thanks to Jessica Vinter,
Lori Ward and Kathy Shipan for organizing it.

Dear Pioneer Soccer family,

Thank you for your interest in Pioneer soccer. Involvement with all of our teams is a wonderful experience that can teach valuable life lessons. As a student-athlete, you will be expected to maintain the highest standards of excellence both in the classroom and on the field. Moreover, you will also be expected to be a role model who exemplifies the best of our athletic department's core values of integrity, excellence, commitment, respect and teamwork.

We will expect that you manage both your time and your studies efficiently. We also expect that you will not only display outstanding sportsmanship but that you will strive very hard to get in the best possible shape for the season. Champions are created in the off-season and we encourage and expect that you will make the necessary commitment to making sure that you are 100% prepared.

Please look over the enclosed materials very carefully. It contains a lot of important information about the general operation of our program that should prove helpful. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly with additional questions or concerns.

We look forward to seeing and working with you to help Pioneer soccer establish itself as the preeminent program in our district, region and the state.

Best wishes,
Lumumba Shabazz
Head Varsity Coach

Program Fees

Pioneer Men's Soccer 2009 Program Fees

Alumni Game

This year, we will be hosting our first annual Alumni game on Friday August 14th from 7-9pm. This is an excellent way for us to reunite with many of our younger and older graduates. Additionally, the game itself should serve to reconnect us with the best of Pioneer soccer tradition and heritage.

If you are a graduate who is interested in participating, please contact Asst. Varsity coach Sam Stern at scstern10@gmail.com for additional information.

Pre-season Classics and Scrimmages

This year, selected JV and Varsity players will participate in two preseason tournaments. The first will take place on Saturday August 15th at Saline High school. The other will take place in Pontiac at the Ultimate Arena location on Tuesday August 18th. Both of these classics will be all day affairs and transportation will be provided.

SALINE HORNET CLASSIC - Aug. 15, 2009 [full schedule]

PHS v Northern, 9 AM, Stadium

PHS v Grand Haven, 12 noon, Grass

PHS v East Kentwood, 2 PM, Track

Portage Central v PHS, 4 PM, Track

ULTIMATE SOCCER ARENA CLASSIC - August 18th, 2009
Pioneer vs Fordson, 10 AM
Pioneer vs Royal Oak, 12pm (noon)
Pioneer vs Rochester Adams, 3 PM
All games will be played on Field 3.
Bus Departs Pioneer HS: 8 AM; Returns: 6 PM

The Coaching Staff
(Please refer to Coaches section for detailed information)

Head Varsity Coach: Lumumba Shabazz
Associate Varsity Coach: Samuel Stern
Junior Varsity Coach: Mike Bona
Freshmen Coach: Slobodan Pavlovic

Senior Varsity Captains

Ugo Uche
Robbie Vanderpluijm
Damian McGlothlin
Luis Gomez-Dominguez

Key Program Dates

• MHSAA Dead Period: June 27th-July 5th
• Summer Workouts Begin: July 6th
• Car Wash Fundraiser: July 11th
• Pioneer Men's Soccer Summer Camp: July 15th-18th
• Coach Shabazz's Summer Soccer Camp: July 27th-31st
• MHSAA No Contact Period: August 1st-10th
• Last Chance for Physical @ Pioneer: August 6th ($25 fee) @ 8.30pm
• Tryouts: August 12th-14th
• Varsity Alumni Game: August 14th
• Saline Hornet Classic: August 15th
• Ultimate Arena Classic: August 18th
• First Varsity/JV Game: August 24th @ Holt

A few more details concerning a pre-season varsity bonding trip to Upper Michigan, program banquet details and player fees will be forthcoming shortly. Please continue to check in with this site for information or email me directly.

Best wishes,
Coach Lumumba Shabazz
shabazzsoccer@gmail.com

The Walk of Champions "There are no shortcuts on the road to glory. No easy way that success can be gained. But through sleet, through snow, Through mud, through rain, We band of brothers Will endure whatever pain To prove that Champions walk again."