User:Wm C Thompson

Crossville Recreational Youth Soccer Association
The Crossville Recreational Youth Soccer Association (CRYSA) was founded in 1998 to help promote youth soccer in Cumberland County, Tennessee. Cumberland County and Crossville are located approximately halfway between Knoxville (60 miles) and  Nashville (100 miles) on the Cumberland Plateau along Interstate 40 and Chattanooga (75 miles).

CRYSA offers a nonprofit soccer program to boys and girls under 16 years of age regardless of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. CRYSA is dedicated to providing a positive structured environment where children can learn the skills of soccer in a noncompetitive environment.

History

Originally soccer was ran by the Cumberland County Youth Center. The program was for children ages 4 to 15.

Several parents decided they would like a more professionally ran organization devoted exclusively to soccer that the youth center did not have the resources nor time to provide.

The first season CRYSA expected around 150 children and instead were pleasantly surprised to have nearly 350 children.

The next two seasons CRYSA exploded with nearly 700 players before the four-year-old age group was dropped and numbers rescinded to between 500 and 600 annually.

All CRYSA teams originally played at Garrison Park. The season began in August and ran through early November.

As the league grew so did the need for more field space. Younger groups stayed at Garrison Park in the early years and older groups played at the Cumberland County Community Complex or local elementary schools.

Later years saw Crossville’s Centennial Park become home for the two youngest age divisions, U7 and U9, while the U11 and U13 divisions played at the Complex. The oldest age group, U16, played at local elementary schools and at Cumberland County High School. In 2008 the U16s joined the U11s and U13s at the Complex.

In 2008 nearly 500 children played on 39 teams.

The 2009 season saw the return of four-year-olds (U5) and the addition of an Adult division for 16-year-old-plus. The additions resulted in just under 700 players on 50 teams.

CRYSA continues to be the most affordable youth sports in the region at $40 per season which includes a complete kit (jersey, shorts and socks) and insurance.

Fields of Their Own

Throughout the history of CRYSA coaches have had to practice wherever they could find patches of green grass large enough to. Match space hasn’t quite been as tough.

CRYSA board members have petitioned the city of Crossville and Cumberland County for fields of our own since 1998. While Crossville City Council members remained positive toward soccer over the years the Cumberland County Commission remained negative with at least one commissioner stating, “Recreation is the responsibility of the city.”

The City Council worked hard with CRYSA over the years. Several times plans have been drawn only to be rejected by CRYSA or by the City. One such plan called for a four-field complex near Centennial Park but was rejected for being too small. That site now serves as home for the United States Chess Federation.

Finally both sides reached agreement when land was donated and site prepped by J. Hicks Excavating behind Stonepeak Ceramics just off Interstate 40 at exit 317, Jamestown Exit. Ground was broke in early 2008.

The six-field complex was scheduled to open in the fall of 2008 but dry weather forced CRYSA to wait to play. Play finally began on the fields on Aug. 15, 2009. Rainy weather during the fall of 2009 forced several postponements.

Referees

CRYSA referees are all United States Soccer Federation certified. All referees are at least Grade 8.

The U9s are officiated by one referee while the U11s, u13s and U16s all have 3 referees-one center and two assistants.

Board

CRYSA is ran by a 14-member board consisting of nine permanent positions and five annual positions.

The founding board members of CRYSA were Angie Spitler, President; Dave Rohr, Vice President; Bill Thompson, Director of Public Relations; Karlee Rohr, Treasurer and Registar; Ricky and Tammy Sells, Directors of Referees; and Tracy ?, Purchaser. Only Spitler and Thompson remain on the current board.

Current permanent board members are Spitler, President; Geir Bergvin, Director of Coaching; Kathy Coleman, Director of Referees; Melanie Graham, Treasurer; Tina Taylor, Head Age Group Coordinator; Alison Nunley, Secretary; Kim Potter, Registar; Bill Thompson, Director of Public Relations; and Brenda Thompson, Purchaser.

Website

CRYSA maintains a weebsite at www.eteamz.com/CRYSA. The site holds news for coaches, players, referees, parents and fans including schedules, standings, team subsites and photo albums.

The Future

CRYSA is constantly seeking to improve soccer in the region.

CRYSA is looking to expand to seven divisions adding a U5 division for four-year-olds and and an U20 division for 16-17-18-and-19 year-olds. The U20s would not be coed.

CRYSA will spring soccer in 2010. CRYSA is also planning to add year-round soccer beginning in the fall of 2010.