about us
several years and in several different ways…and it is truly a
pinnacle in terms of soccer experiences in the nation today."
Chip Huber
Dean of Student Engagement/Men’s Soccer Assistant Coach
Cornerstone University/Grand Rapids, MI
"In the seven years I have been coaching at my school, this
year me and my players had more interaction with college
and club coaches than all of my years combined. I believe
that the Pepsi Showdown played a role in that exposure
process."
Jason Rollins
Boys Soccer Coach/East Aurora High School
"The Pepsi Showdown is more about wins and losses, but
really about providing players with an amazing soccer
experience. It represents what is good about high school
soccer, allowing players a forum to showcase their talent."
Brad Abel
Girls Soccer Coach/Hersey High School
"A super tournament like the Pepsi Showdown used to
only exist at the club level, but not anymore."
JJ Crawford
Girls Soccer Coach/Maine South High School
"Bar none, this is the best soccer event of the season.
Teams come from all over the state and there have
been teams that have come across the country to
compete in the event. The Pepsi Showdown puts soccer
in the spotlight for two weeks."
Kevin Fitzgerald
Boys Soccer Coach/Plainfield Central High School
"There is no better way for a coach to get his team ready
for state than to play in this tournament. You play the best
competition in the Chicago area, and face some of the
best coaches in the state of Illinois. As long as I am the
coach at Libertyville, we will be in this tourney."
Andy Bitta
Boys Soccer Coach/Liberytville High School
"The Pepsi Showdown has expanded the horizons of my
players, as we have traveled to a variety of Chicago
Public schools and seen the limited resources they have
for varsity athletics, compared to the far wide open
spaces of Crystal Lake. The atmosphere and learning
experiences obtained in the Pepsi Showdown go
beyond an 80 minute soccer game."
Paul Wright
Boys Soccer Coach/Oak Park-River Forest High School
"The Pepsi Showdown constantly impacts the local and
global community, promoting service projects to provide
equipment to be taken to the less fortunate. This changes
the lives and hope for hundreds of children and young
adults in the Haitian community."
Jeff Brooke
Boys Soccer Coach/Wheaton Academy High School
This Is Only The Beginning
Since its inception in 2004, the Pepsi Showdown has grown and improved in every area, which is why it’s considered by many to be the crown jewel each season.
The goal from the start has always been to bring different schools, players and coaches together to shine on and off the field, while offering everyone the opportunity to get out of their communities to see different areas and economic situations.
While the Pepsi Showdown creates countless on-the-field memories, it is more than just games. One thing we take great pride in is that the Pepsi Showdown continues to be a resource for charities and fundraisers that you can read more about on our Giving Back page.
Thousands of volunteers have gone above and beyond to ensure the Pepsi Showdown is a positive experience for every person involved, and I encourage you to read some of the feedback or read the archives below.
If you ever have any questions, please let us know.
Best,
Joe Trost
Tournament Founder
Chicago Tribune/ESPN.com
CONTACT
General Questions: info@pepsishowdown.com
Team Mom Coordinator: veva@pepsishowdown.com
Marketing Director: bridget@pepsishowdown.com
Web Master: jon@pepsishowdown.com
Tournament photographer: photo@pepsishowdown.com