PRO SOCCER

BRIDGEVIEW | Paul Ziemba said he did not know much about soccer when he got involved in sports training, but the former Morton athlete proved himself a quick learner.

"I played tennis, golf and football in high school and I really didn't know much about soccer," Ziemba said. "But after seeing so much of it on the job I really enjoy it. The players are great athletes and tremendous competitors."

It is Ziemba's job as head trainer of the Chicago Fire to keep the players out of the training room and out on the field.

"Our goal is to keep our players healthy," Ziemba said. "And when someone gets hurt we do everything to insure that he gets back as soon as possible.

"But we also make sure he doesn't go out there until he is ready."

Ziemba, a 1996 Morton grad, joined AthletiCo, a comprehensive sports medicine and rehabilitation firm with offices with nearly 40 offices spread throughout the Chicago suburbs, in 2004. Through his affiliation with AthletiCo he became head trainer of the Fire in February of this year.

Ziemba has a history with soccer. His time spent with the U.S. Soccer Federation has seem him work for the national youth teams, including stints with the Under-20 Men, Under-18 Boys and Under-16 Girls teams.

"I enjoyed my time with U.S. Soccer," Ziemba said. "I enjoyed the responsibility of getting the players prepared for the games and seeing the hard work pay off for us and the teams."

Ziemba also has worked in Major League Baseball, using his expertise for the Blue Jays, Phillies, and Reds systems.

Ziemba arrives for work at Toyota Park about three or four hours prior to game time. He and the rest of the Fire medical staff tend to injuries and training regimens.

Ziemba, a 2001 Butler grad, also attended Valparaiso University, where he was a student manager on men's basketball team.

He had a front row seat for Bryce Drew's NCAA tournament miracle shot against Mississippi.

"That's a great memory to have," said Ziemba, who lives in Round Lake with his wife and son.