UIC Athletics

UIC Head Coach John Trask bolstered his already-impressive coaching staff with the addition of current Chicago Fire defensive stalwart C.J. Brown as the Flames[apos] volunteer assistant coach in 2006. A member of the Fire since the team[apos]s inaugural campaign in 1998, Brown brings to his new position the same mix of experience, skills, work ethic and passion for the game that has earned him the reputation as one of the most respected players in Major League Soccer. Brown has guided Chicago to an MLS Cup and three Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophies during his eight-plus seasons with the [quote]Men in Red[quote] while becoming the only player in Fire history to have appeared in at least 20 matches in every season of the club[apos]s existence. Along with over 18,000 minutes of Major League Soccer action under his belt, Brown also has 15 caps with the U.S. National Team. The 2001 MLS All-Star is no stranger to the college game or the city of Chicago, making him a perfect fit for the Flames. Brown, a two-time all-conference honoree in four seasons at San Jose University (1994-97), is as active in the community as he is on the pitch, earning the Fire/USSF Humanitarian of the Year award three times for his contributions in the Chicagoland area.