Jan. 17, 2005

Chicago, Ill. - University of Illinois at Chicago Director of Athletics Jim Schmidt announced on Monday afternoon that John Trask, an assistant coach with Major League Soccer club FC Dallas and a former assistant at national powerhouse Indiana, has been named head men's soccer coach.

"After a very extensive national search, John Trask emerged as a perfect fit for UIC," Schmidt said. "The combination of his Major League Soccer experience and working at one of the best collegiate programs in the country was attractive.

"He has great Midwest and national connections," Schmidt continued. "John will have an immediate impact in the Horizon League and move us towards our goal of being in NCAA Tournament play on a consistent basis."

Trask comes to UIC after spending the last five years as a professional coach in MLS, serving most recently as an assistant coach for FC Dallas, formerly the Dallas Burn.

Prior to landing in Dallas, Trask spent the 2002 and 2003 seasons as the top assistant with D.C. United. He got his start in MLS as an assistant the Miami Fusion in 2000, where he was selected to the 2001 MLS Eastern Conference All-Star coaching staff.

"I am extremely pleased to have this opportunity with the University of Illinois at Chicago," said Trask, who was born in Chicago and raised in Milwaukee, Wis. "I am looking forward to returning to college soccer and the city of Chicago.

"I want to thank Jim Schmidt for the opportunity," Trask continued. "I can't wait to meet with the players and begin building for the future."

Coaching at the collegiate level is nothing new for Trask, who spent ten years as an assistant under the legendary Jerry Yeagley at Indiana.

During his tenure with the Hoosiers, Indiana captured eight Big Ten titles, reached the NCAA College Cup five times (1991, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999) and won back-to-back National Championships in 1998 and 1999.

Trask was a major name among the Midwest prep ranks while at Indiana. 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. Trask also directed the Indiana Soccer Camp for 11 years and developed the John Trask Total Soccer Camp that ran for 12 years.     

Trask learned the fundamentals of coaching at the Division I level from Yeagley, the all-time winningest coach in collegiate soccer history, who retired after the 2003 season with 544 victories.

Trask was a four-year letterwinner for the Hoosiers from 1984-1987, playing midfielder for the 1984 College Cup team and two NCAA Regional Finalists.

Trask graduated from Indiana with a bachelor of science degree in management from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He also earned a master's degree in kinesiology while serving as a graduate assistant coach with the Hoosiers.

John Trask's Coaching Career

Year(s)      Title/Team                                                                            Record/Postseason

2004           Assistant Coach, Dallas Burn/FC Dallas                       10-14-6                                             

2003           Assistant Coach, D.C. United                                           10-11-9

2002           Assistant Coach, D.C. United                                           9-14-5

2001           Assistant Coach, Miami Fusion                                       16-5-5/MLS Semifinals

2000           Assistant Coach, Miami Fusion                                       12-15-5                             

1999           Assistant Coach, Indiana University                                21-3-0/NCAA Champions

1998           Assistant Coach, Indiana University                                23-2-0/NCAA Champions

1997           Assistant Coach, Indiana University                                23-1-0/NCAA College Cup

1996           Assistant Coach, Indiana University                                15-3-3/NCAA Quarterfinals

1995           Assistant Coach, Indiana University                                14-5-2/NCAA Regional Finals

1994           Assistant Coach, Indiana University                                23-3-0/NCAA College Cup           

1993           Assistant Coach, Indiana University                                17-3-1/NCAA Regional Finals

1992           Graduate Assistant, Indiana University                           14-6-4/NCAA Quarterfinals

1991           Graduate Assistant, Indiana University                           19-3-2/NCAA College Cup