After taking a hiatus last year due to COVID, Soccer Chaplains United chaplains and board members will have in-person (at this point in time) and virtual options for attending the Founder's Retreat in scenic, Fairplay, Colorado November 9 - 12. The team last met in 2018 when Soccer Chaplains United chaplains gathered in Fairplay, CO and went through a guided retreat entitled "7 Stories." The retreat time featured sharing meals and some fellowship times together and a deep dive into some of the personal stories that each chaplain brings with them into ministry. The Board of Directors also retreat in similar fashion in 2019. With a vision and dream session facilitated by pastoral and ministry friend Dave Meserve, the Board

I'm pleased to announce that Rod Underwood has joined the Soccer Chaplains United Board of Directors. Rod brings a wealth of soccer experience, both as a professional player and as a coach across all levels of the game. And his passion to see coaches in the game feel supported in the difficulties that they face is part of the wonderful drive and passion that Rod will bring to the group. Much of Rod's coaching, playing, and life experience can be found at his website. But to highlight a few things — Rod has coached at MLS, USL, international, and youth levels for many years. A professional player coming out of NCAA Division 1 Furman University, Rod played primarily as a forward

Unfortunately, Matt Kaufman, who joined the Soccer Chaplains United Board of Directors earlier this year in May, has announced that he must step down from the board. As principal of Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC, certain stipulations prevent the holding of a position or participation on a board of directors. Matt expressed his feelings of having to step down, I really wish that I could have been a part of the Board of Directors for Soccer Chaplains United, but I look forward to being involved in other ways and encouraging you and the others in the growth of the organization as a supporter and networker.Matt Kaufman We are sad to see Matt leave the Board of Directors, but it's with mutual

Alex Avila recently told us that he would not seek to renew his term on the Soccer Chaplains United Board of Directors. For the past two years, Alex has been instrumental in being a guiding voice and advocate for the counseling aspects of the ministry and work of Soccer Chaplains United. Alex steps aside as he has felt a calling to open up an innovative, coffee shop mental and spiritual health center in his local city of Castle Rock, Colorado and to pursue developing more online counseling and relationship education resources. Alex continues to see clients and develop counseling resources through his Relationship Institute of the Rockies I enjoyed serving alongside Brad and the passionate team he has assembled to

It's my pleasure to announce that Travis Eliason, brother to current board member Geoff Eliason, has joined the Soccer Chaplains United Board of Directors. Travis brings a wealth of legal experience and knowledge as an attorney in Illinois. He is a partner with Quales and Brady, LLP and graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law. His legal specialty areas include focuses on representing lenders and other secured and unsecured creditors in bankruptcy cases and complex commercial litigation. His undergraduate studies were at Wheaton College where he played soccer on the men's varsity team.  Travis and his skill set fill a vacancy left by former board member, Darren Dragovich, who moved on earlier this year. When I asked him what he is looking