Coach John Trask has taken the UIC men’s soccer program to new heights in his four years with the Flames, using a proven formula for success that has helped every side he has ever been a part of maximize its potential. Under Trask, UIC has blossomed from a squad that posted just five wins in the year prior to his arrival, to a team that has made three straight trips to the NCAA Tournament, advanced to the 2007 national quarterfinals and finished the last two seasons ranked among the top 15 nationally. Trask’s style of soccer has helped mentor four All-America honorees in the last three years and develop one of the nation’s stingiest defenses. The attractive and entertaining style of soccer has resulted in an attendance increase of 600%.
UIC was not the first place where Trask’s winning formula was evident, though. Prior to arriving on UIC’s campus, Coach Trask spent five years in Major League Soccer as a first assistant in Major League Soccer where he aided the Miami Fusion to the 2000 U.S. Open Cup Final and the 2001 MLS Supporters’ Shield. During his ten years as an assistant at Indiana University under legendary head coach Jerry Yeagley, he played a vital role in cultivating the Hoosier dynasty that claimed eight Big Ten titles, reached five College Cups and earned back-to-back National Championships in 1998 and 1999.
He has been successfully operating soccer camps since 1982 and served as a key administrator and instructor with the Indiana Soccer Camp for 17 years. Coach Trask has also worked extensively with United States Soccer Federation youth national teams in developing professional and international players for the U.S. over the course of his coaching career.
Trask came to UIC with an impeccable soccer pedigree. An assistant at Indiana University for nearly a decade under legendary head coach Jerry Yeagley, Trask played a vital role in cultivating a Hoosier dynasty that claimed eight Big Ten titles, reached five College Cups and earned back-to-back National Championships (1998-1999) during his tenure from 1991 through 1999. Indiana amassed an unbelievable 169-29-12 record during Trask's nine seasons, including four 20-win campaigns.
Not only did Trask play a vital role in the championship success of the team as a whole, he also assisted in the recruitment and development of the nation's finest players. Under Trask, Hoosier players amassed five Big Ten Player of the Year awards, 18 All-America honors, 27 All-Region First Team accolades, and 64 All-Big Ten selections. Trask also guided midfielders Brian Maisonneuve and Todd Yeagley to national player of the year honors in 1994, with Maisonneuve earning the Hermann Trophy and Yeagley winning the Missouri Athletic Club Player of the Year award.
Along with Maisonneuve and Yeagley, Trask has had a hand in developing a slew of professionals, Olympians and World Cup players from the Indiana program. Dema Kovalenko, Yuri Lavrinenko, Lazo Alavanja and Pat Noonan are just a few of the former Hoosiers that have gone on to significant post-collegiate success on the soccer field following their tutelage under Trask.
During his nine-year run at Indiana, Trask quickly made a name for himself in the national prep ranks, particularly in the Midwest. He served as the men's state senior coach for the Indiana State Soccer Association from 1992-1995, followed by a five-year reign as the state director of coaching for the ISSA. He has worked extensively with United States Soccer Federation youth national teams in developing professional and international players for the U.S. over the course of his coaching career.
After his successful apprenticeship at Indiana, Trask took his coaching skills to the professional level for five seasons as an assistant in Major League Soccer. Trask began his career in MLS with Miami in 2000, helping the Fusion reach the MLS semifinals in 2001 while serving on the Eastern Conference coaching staff for the 2001 MLS All-Star Game. He guided Alex Pineda Chacon to the league scoring title in 2001 en route to the MLS Honda Most Valuable Player award. Following his two seasons in Miami, Trask spent two years with D.C. United before heading to Dallas as an assistant for the Burn (now FC Dallas).
While in Major League Soccer, Trask tutored some of the biggest names in the game. From popular veterans like Preki to young sensations such as U.S. National team member Eddie Johnson, Trask has trained a long list of professional talent from all across the globe.
Prior to his coaching career, Trask excelled on the pitch for the Hoosiers as a midfielder. A four-year letter winner at Indiana from 1984-1987, Trask played for the 1984 College Cup team and two NCAA Regional Finalists.
UIC marks a homecoming of sorts for Trask. Raised in Milwaukee, Wis., Trask was actually born in Chicago and lived in the city for three years prior to moving up north.
Trask graduated from Indiana with a Bachelor of Science degree in management from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs in 1990. He also earned a master's degree in kinesiology in 1993 while serving as a graduate assistant coach with the Hoosiers. Coach Trask and his wife Jela reside in Chicago.
Trask has tutored some of the biggest names in the game:
Landon Donovan
DaMarcus Beasley
Freddy Adu
Preki
Hristo Stoichkov
Chris Klein
Nick Garcia
Pat Noonan
Brian Maissonueve
Dema Kovalenko
Pablo Mastreoni
Bobby Convey
Marco Etcheverry
Cory Gibbs
Earnie Stewart
Carlos Llamosa
Santino Quaranta
Jeff Agoos
Eddie Johnson
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