Whether he’s on the sidelines at a match coaching his players or tutoring children on their latest school assignments, Ulric Alsobrook has made a mark on Atlanta.
“I enjoy being around kids. It keeps me young,” said Alsobrook, the Southside Program Manager for Soccer in the Streets. “The kids are so honest. It’s fulfilling. Parents appreciate what we do at Soccer in the Streets and what it does for them.”
Ulric’s passion for soccer grew in an unexpected manner. Once unfamiliar with the game, that changed when his son, who has autism, turned five. He wanted his son to participate in a sport that gave him the best opportunity to thrive. Through encouragement and perseverance, his son stuck with it. Ulric was eventually approached by his son’s coaches who suggested he start coaching himself.
“I love the process,” said Alsobrook. “I love learning. I fell more in love with it. You can mold them and teach them the fundamentals. It was the most satisfying thing.”
After settling in as the U6 coach for his son’s team, he realized his interest in the game went beyond what happened on the pitch. He got involved with Soccer in the Streets after learning about the influential role the program plays in the community.
“It’s a beautiful sport,” expressed Alsobrook. “The community service aspect - it gives access. It gives access to the Black and Hispanic community.”
Through community service, Ulric’s involvement in the sport rapidly reached new levels. He is making a significant difference in the Atlanta soccer community and was recently recognized by Major League Soccer who named him one of the 2020 MLS WORKS Community MVPs.
Once COVID-19 hit, he immediately sprung into action. With virtual school as the only option, he knew many parents were unprepared and unable to put extra focus on school. As a way to serve as an external support system for those who needed it, he started hosting a virtual Homework Hotline to help kids from the Southside to the Westside.
“I talk to my teenagers about college and finances,” he said. “I try to impact all of them that come in our sessions.”
Realizing that many families were also not prepared for the financial challenges of the pandemic, he partnered with local eatery Oz Pizza and its owner, Chris Wiley, for a program they named Slices and Strikes. The project serves families in need, feeding them every Tuesday through Friday.
“We serve a lot of underprivileged kids,” Alsobrook noted. “We wanted to help temporarily feed kids, so parents wouldn’t worry about at least a few meals a week.”
For Ulric, soccer is about community. It’s about helping those who need it, knowing the power each of us holds and using it for good.
“Teamwork and togetherness. When you play the game of soccer, you’ve got to have teamwork,” he said. “Everyone has to work together and no man is more important than the other. Everybody has a role to play. Everyone needs to be the best at the role they play.”
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