The premier team of the Tri-State area is the SESA Men's First Team. Designed for local and non local college players and the top college bound high school players in the area. For many college players, returning home during the summer and winter is a struggle to maintain the level of play they had been training at with their college team, let alone actually make improvements. And for the players attending a local college, having an option to remain in the area and train and play is very valuable. For the college bound younger players, the opportunity to train and play at a high level in a college like environment gives them a leg up. In 2017 SESA started the u23 program so that the growing number of local men's and women's college players would have a program to play with during the summer off season. In 2023 SESA joined the Nationally recognized USASA sanctioned Midwest Premier League for the men's first team. The SESA Men's Team serves to support those players and facilitate them in their college career & pathway to professional.

The program trains twice each week, and is coached by current college coaches and former college players who know exactly what it takes to play at the college level and beyond. Head coach Baret Ertzinger is one of the top coaches in Iowa with expertise in player development. Players will have access to game and training recordings, and personalized development plans to support their development.

The First Team will play games in the Midwest Premier League beginning in May, ending late July. Best efforts will be made to have additinal reserve & exhibition games to provide additional playing time for those who do not regularly feature for the first team & gain valuable experience for the younger players.

Players will receive two team training/game tops, have access to college recruiting resources, a fitness program, and networking opportunities, as well as recorded games and some recorded training sessions. Meals and transportation costs are covered for away games. First team players will purchase and keep their own uniforms- good for 2 years, 2025 & 2026. Tryouts are free to attend. Season registration is a flat $125 and covers, training tops, league registration, player carding, and used to cover a portion of team league fees, facility rentals, game fees, away game expenses, etc. Uniforms cost approximately $80 and are purchased through soccer.com.

Men's First Team program schedule: Training starts May 4th, 2 training sessions a week; Monday and Wednesday evenings. There will be a modified pre-season starting in April for those players able to attend. Program ends late July (possibly final game first weekend of August). It is acceptable for players to miss some sessions due to travel, vacations, work, etc. and is expected during the summer months. Some absences do not prohibit participation in league games. First team players are required to attend at a minimum 75% of training sessions and be available for 75% of league games. Training will take place at the SESA Training Grounds at the Burlington RecPlex. First Team players are expected to be available for the majority of games and practices and may have some additional responsibilities or expectations including fan meet and greats, clinics, etc.

All interested players should attend the Tryouts- March 8th from 1-3pm at Bracewell Stadium. For those unable to attend tryouts but still wanting to play, complete the season registration and be evaluated during the first weeks of training, and can also send in game/highlight film for consideration. Roster spots are limited, but all players will be able to train and play at an appropriate level with the first team or reserves.

The SESA u23 program has facilitated the playing career of more than 100 players at all divisions and levels of play since it's inception. We are pursuing additional opportunities to provide high level training and play by participating in competitive amateur leagues, such as the Midwest Premier League & Women's Premier Soccer League in the near future; continued success and participation is the key to making those goals possible.

SESA MidWest Premier League Game Schedule- TBD mid May-July

For any questions please contact Program Director Baret Ertzinger at ADOC@SESASoccer.com

Southeast Soccer Academy
P.O. Box 394
Burlington, Iowa 52601

Email: admin@sesasoccer.com