The Cougar Soccer Club (S.C.) is a local community, non-profit soccer program, serving Maplewood and South Orange, NJ. Founded in 1965, Cougar S.C. continues to be self-funded and operated by dedicated, unpaid coaches, parents, committed players, and club alumni. The club has teams of boys and girls ranging in age from 3-19 years.
Our priority is to provide a healthy atmosphere for each player's physical and social development. The club continues to grow, and with the enormous growth of soccer in our State we hope to continue to maintain our tradition of providing an environment in which talented and committed soccer players can achieve their full potential and compete at the highest levels.
The Cougar Soccer Club (S.C.) was founded in 1965 by legendary Maplewood soccer coach Gene Chyzowych. He coached Columbia High School boys soccer for 50 seasons, winning 757 games, which ranks second in New Jersey and third nationally on the all-time high school win list. Coach Chyzowych captured four New Jersey state championships, 24 conference titles, 16 state sectional crowns, and was inducted into the United Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame in 2009.
The Cougar S.C. has provided the Maplewood and South Orange community with a travel youth soccer program for over 50 years. As a self-funded, not-for-profit organization of parent volunteers, the club promotes youth soccer for players who want to learn, train and play at the very highest levels of competition. Since the beginning, well over 10,000 children have played with the Cougar S.C. Hundreds of parents have volunteered during this same period.
1. It is a privilege to wear a Cougar Soccer Club uniform, and I will accept seriously the responsibility and privilege of representing our community and the club.
2. I will attend every practice and game that it is possible for me to attend and will give my best effort at BOTH.
3. At practice and games, I will display a positive attitude.
4. I accept that my playing time will be influenced by my attendance, attitude and effort at practice.
5. I will do my best to listen and learn from my coaches.
6. I will treat my coaches, fellow soccer players, fans and officials with respect and good manners.
7. I deserve to have fun during my soccer experience and will let my parents/guardians and coaches know if it stops being fun.
8. I will remember that youth soccer is an opportunity to learn and have fun.
9. I will strive to treat others as I wish to be treated by others.
10. I will obey the rules of the sport of soccer.
At Cougar Soccer Club, our number one priority is the physical and emotional well-being of our players on and off the field. Any player who experiences a blow to the head or body and shows signs of a possible concussion is immediately removed from play. When in doubt, the athlete sits out.
A player may not return to any practice or game until they are symptom-free and have written clearance from a qualified healthcare provider trained in concussion management. Parent coaches for travel teams are required to complete a short online concussion tutorial.
Once cleared by a healthcare provider, players progress through a stepwise return, spending at least 24 hours at each step and returning to the previous step if any symptoms reappear:
1. Light aerobic activity - walking or stationary cycling, no resistance training.
2. Soccer-specific exercise - running and ball work with no risk of head impact.
3. Non-contact training drills - passing, shooting and movement drills; no heading, no contact.
4. Full-contact practice - normal training activities, following medical clearance.
5. Return to play - normal game participation.
If you have questions about the protocol or a specific situation, contact your team's coach or email CougarSoccerClub@gmail.com.
Have a question about our programs, registration, volunteering, or anything else? We'd love to hear from you.
Email us at CougarSoccerClub@gmail.com and a member of our volunteer board will get back to you as soon as possible.