Author: Jeffrey L Tucker

The following appeared in the Gitchi Gummi / Duluth Amateur Soccer League’s e-newsletter and is reprinted with their permission – thanks very much for allowing us to put this article on Jordan’s site:

GITCHI GUMMI SOCCER CLUB
By David Robinson – Club President

BREAKING DOWN THE WALLS
Jordan Tucker died in his sleep Sunday morning on November 16th, 2008 at aged 18 years and 5 days.

Jordan was a wonderful young man whose smile, warm personality, and love of soccer touched many of us in the soccer community. He played goalkeeper for the Cloquet / Esko /Carlton varsity team, competitive soccer for Gitchi Gummi, and represented Duluth in the Vaxjo Sweden soccer tournament.

I had the privilege of coaching Jordan during his Gitchi Gummi days and have fond memories of a hard working player who gave his all for the team. Jordan never complained and worked hard to be the best he could be.

Jordan had a smile for everybody and touched others no matter where they where from. He “broke down the walls” and treated team mates and opponents in the same friendly fashion. He did not care what side of town, or what high school you where from, if you competed hard and played fair he was your friend.

I was amazed, but not surprised when teammates and opponents filed into the church to say good by to “Tucker”. Students from Esko, Carlton, Cloquet, Denfeld, Central, East and Hermantown all attended the service to laugh, cry and remember a friend.

Jordan, we miss you.

With the High School and College soccer seasons over, you would think parents and coaches would be taking some down time. Not so, with the economic challenges facing us all, the board has been busy planning for the 2009 season. The board is working hard to make sure Gitchi Gummi continues to provide value for money, and be the area leader in coach and player development.

Rosters are almost full, and we are proud to provide playing opportunity to athletes from “all” area high schools. Club Head Coach, Barry Chastey, has been busy recruiting the best high school and college coaches to lead the teams, along with past and present college players to assist them. Gitchi Gummi is on target to field 23 league and tournament teams, accommodating over 300 players during the 2009 season. Other highlights include team training sessions for the boys with Coach Chastey, (Head Men’s Coach, College of St Scholastica) and training sessions for the girls with Morgan Maclean (Head Men and Women’s JV Coach, College of St Scholastica). Morgan will also provide training for goalkeepers of all ages. Mike Sengbush (Head Boys Coach, Marshall High School) will continue to provide age appropriate training for our 10 – 12 year olds, and direct our highly successful summer Youth Development Program.

Watching Gitchi Gummi players compete against each other during high school games is always one of the high points of each season. They tend to play extra hard against each other, but treat each other with respect during and after the game. Playing and training together in the summer gives them the opportunity to ‘break down the walls’, friendships are formed, and players begin to understand that the kid from across town, isn’t so bad after all.