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Ko Thanadabouth,
33, is the founder and director of coaching for the Windy
City Pride (WCP) Soccer Club. The club was formed in February
of 1997. He is considered to be one of the "elite" soccer
coaches in the Midwest for girls and boys youth club players.
Ko was a professional player with the
Chicago Power (NPSL) during the 1991 thru 1994 seasons. He
also played with the Chicago Stingers (1995 & 1996) of the
USISL- Division III before retiring to begin full-time coaching.
Ko was selected the Illinois Youth Soccer Association 1999
Girls Coach of the Year.
Ko was an All-State player at Rich South
High School (Park Forest, IL) for veteran coach Tony Maturano,
graduating in June of 1986. He was named to the All-Conference
SICA Conference team for four consecutive years during his
outstanding prep career. He played with his younger brother
Nick (then a freshman) for one year while at Rich South High
School (in 1985).
Ko recently started his own sports apparel
company, named KOJON.
Collegiate career
In his Collegiate career, Ko was a standout
at University of Illinois - Chicago (UIC) from 1987-90 where
he played for coach Bill Ross. He still holds many career
scoring and assists records at UIC where he won All-Conference
honors all four years. He graduated with a degree in graphic
design in 1991.
Coaching experience
Ko joined the coaching staff of the Sports
Club (now known as the Chicago Magic SC) in Frankfort, IL
for 3 years (1994-1997) before moving away to independently
form the Windy City Pride. Ko holds a National "B" coaching
license.
WCP teams have captured numerous State
Cup and Regional titles under Ko's direction. Ko won two Illinois
State Cup championships while with the Sports Club/Chicago
Magic SC. His U-12 and U-13 girls won the 1997 State Cup titles
while part of the Chicago Magic. The Windy City Pride SC won
the U-13 & U-14 Girls in 1998. In addition, the Pride won
the State Cup titles for the U-14 girls in 1999.
College coaching experience
Ko is currently the head women's coach
at St. Francis University in Joliet, IL where he started the
womens' soccer program in 1996. His three-year record is 12-35-5
at the NAIA school with only a very limited financial aid
assistance program for his recruited players.
1999
IYSA Coach of the Year
Ko was selected the Illinois Youth Soccer
Association 1999 Girls Coach of the Year. His players have
acknowledged that they have become better players thanks to
Ko's extensive development ability. Ko founded the Windy City
Soccer Club and was one of the first coaches to provide quality
training for girls in the Chicago area. His emphasis on the
importance of sportsmanship in soccer and on the skills gained
from a good work ethic has changed the lives of many players.
Ko stresses the importance of learning in order to advance
to the next level. More importantly, players believe in their
own abilities more faithfully because they know that Ko truly
believes in what they can accomplish.
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