  Baltimore Kings News Release - www.baltimorekings.com
U-23 Team Tryout Registration Link Saturday, December 12, 2015 BALTIMORE, MD - Baltimore Kings staff announced on Saturday the hiring of EJ Jackson and Ansger Otto as coaches of the U-23 Team for the 2016 season. Tryouts will be held January 2-3, 2016 at CCBC Essex in Baltimore, MD. Ernest "EJ" Jackson currently serves as head coach of Redeemer Classical Christian's boys and girls varsity soccer programs as well as the track & field coach at Mercy High School. A Calvert Hall graduate, Jackson helped lead his school to an MIAA A Conference championship in 2003 and was named a captain in his senior year. He played club soccer for the Baltimore Bays where he was named captain all four years and led his team to three Maryland State Cup championships. In his senior year, Jackson was named All-State, All-MIAA, All-Metro, and All-Conference. He also attended the prestigious IMG Academy in the summer and fall of 2006. At CCBC Essex, Jackson was a two-year starter and was a captain in his second year. In 2010, Jackson won the NJCAA Region XX championship and was named to the All-Conference Team in 2011. Throughout his coaching career, Jackson has coached and worked for the Baltimore Bohemians, Baltimore Bays, Pro Soccer Academy, FCUSA, and Maryland Sports Unlimited. Ansger Otto, one of the most dynamic, popular private coaches in the state and coach at Lansdowne High School, will join the Kings U-23 coaching staff this year as well. Otto first came to Baltimore in 2009 to attend Stevenson University and quickly proved he was a special player. He was named Conference Rookie of the Year as a freshman and led the nation in scoring as a sophomore being named an All-American, Conference Player of the Year, and ECAC Offensive Player of the Year. He then transferred out to Iona College where he led the team in scoring as a junior and was named All-Conference. Heading into his senior year, Otto was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, the equivalent to college football's Heisman Trophy. In his senior year Otto led the conference in scoring and was named an NCAA DI All-American. After a successful collegiate career, Otto began preseason with the New York Cosmos. While trialing with the Cosmos, Otto was made an offer he couldn't refuse and signed with Japanese side Gainare Tottori. Upon returning home to the States, Otto signed with Jersey Express in the PDL and led them to the PDL National Championships. He then spent a season with the Philadelphia Fury in the ASL scoring a hat-trick in his debut with the club. "We are very lucky to have both EJ Jackson and Ansger Otto on our side. Their passion for the sport, exciting attacking style of play, and philosophy fit perfectly with what we are creating," said Chairman Josh Danza. The U-23 Team will debut in the National Adult League (NAL) sanctioned by U.S. Club Soccer and recognized at the 4th tier of American soccer alongside leagues such as PDL and NPSL as the highest level of amateur competition in the United States (tiers 1-3 being professional leagues - MLS, NASL, USL). The season will run for two months in June and July with preseason beginning in May. Players on the U-23 Team will not be paid, thus retaining their NCAA eligibility. The U-23 Team will utilize collegiate players home for summer as well as elite amateur players with professional aspirations. --- TRYOUTS: Tryouts are open to all players over the age of 18. Eight players over the age of 23 will be allowed to dress for each game and play for the U-23 Team. This is the best opportunity to be seen by the Baltimore Kings technical staff for evaluation before the 2016 summer season. What you will get: -A chance to earn a spot on our U-23 Team. Selected players will be the first we look at and begin to develop for our Pro Team in 2017. -Baltimore Kings T-Shirt -An online player profile in the club player pool. -Feedback and advice from our professional coaching staff Cost: $100 payable by credit card or debit card When: January 2-3, 2015 Where: CCBC Essex (7201 Rossville Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21237) Who: Elite players aged 18 years and older Registration: TRYOUT REGISTRATION LINK Frequently Asked Questions: Q: Will the Baltimore Kings assist and pay for travel to participate in the tryout? A: No. Participants will pay for any and all airfare, hotel, food and transportation. Q: Will the Baltimore Kings assist in securing a visa? A: No. The Baltimore Kings will not assist in securing visa for foreign players or provide any invitation letters of any kind. Q: If I cannot participate but have already registered and paid in full, can I get a refund? A: The Baltimore Kings will refund the tryout fee only if a player cannot participate due to injury. If a refund is processed, a refund fee of $33 will be applied. Refunds also must be requested no later than December 28, 2015. Q: What airport should I use if I am flying? A: If flying to Baltimore, use Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport Q: When do you recommend I arrive into Baltimore? A: Participants will need to arrive on Friday, January 1 in the evening as the try-out will start as early as 8 am on the 2nd. Q: When do you recommend I schedule my flight out of Baltimore? A: ASAP Q: What is the structure of the tryouts? Am I guaranteed to play on both days? A: The tryout will consist of a variety of technical stations, possession, small-sided games, full-field games, and fitness testing. Select players will be called back for Sunday’s session which will consist of an 11v11 game. Not all players will be selected for Sunday’s session. Q: What do I need to bring on the day of the tryout? A: On the day of the tryout, all players need to bring: 1) an ID that shows proof of age 2) a completed Medical Information Form 3) a completed Waiver Form 4) a completed Player Bio Form For any other questions, you may email josh@marreroimpactmktg.com. --- Baltimore Kings Pro Soccer Club is a new pro soccer club in Baltimore, MD. Founded in 2015, the club is operated by Baltimore Pro Soccer, LLC. The club is home to teams and year-round soccer programs for players of all ages and skill-levels. Our mission is to develop and showcase disciplined, technical, and possession-oriented players that have a passion to improve. The Baltimore Kings Pro Team will operate as an independent, event-based club and will play their first professional game in the Summer of 2017.
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