July 25, 2009: Jordan Tucker Soccer Clinic

Article in the Cloquet Pine Journal

CLOQUET, Minn. – There are plenty of soccer clinics held throughout the area on a yearly basis, but the clinic at Hilltop Park in Cloquet next Wednesday is special.

That’s because it’s a soccer clinic being held in memory of former Cloquet-Esko-Carlton all-star goalie Jordan Tucker, who died unexpectedly last fall. The July 29 event held in honor of a student who loved everything about the game of soccer is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and end around 9 p.m. All local youth players, coaches, friends and family are encouraged to attend.

The clinic is hosted by the Cloquet Youth Soccer Association and will be directed by CEC boys soccer head coach Archie Clark, as well as St. Scholastica assistant men’s soccer coach Dave Robinson and both boys and girls varsity players from the area.

“I am very excited for the clinic,” said Clark, who has been directing the Lumberjacks for four years and hosting clinics with Robinson for the past few years as well. “Dave and I just thought it would be a great way to honor Jordan. He wasn’t just a great soccer player; he was a great kid all around and respected by so many people.”

Clark, Robinson and the varsity players will be on hand to teach the basic skills and fundamentals of the game, while there will also be drills and stations focusing on aspects of each position – especially goalie, the position Tucker played as well as anyone in the Northland.

Clinic T-shirts will also be sold throughout the evening at Hilltop Park for $10, with all proceeds benefiting the Jordan Tucker Memorial Scholarship Fund.

And though there will be teaching, learning and fun like at all local soccer clinics, this evening is about more than just soccer. It’s about a community coming together to remember Jordan Tucker and his love for his favorite sport – and that’s what makes it so special.

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