Justin Cook, a former Big Ten Conference Player of the Year and All-American at Ohio State, joined the UCF men[apos]s soccer staff as a volunteer coach in the spring of 2005.
A four-year letterwinner for the Buckeyes, Cook owns the school records for shots in a career (191) and shots in a season (71) and is tied for first in career assists (17). His 33 career goals rank second all time.
After being named Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Year in 2000, Cook added more honors to his resume, including four all-conference selections. During his final season, he was named the Big Ten Player of the Year and also received National Soccer Coaches[apos] Association of America (NSCAA) Third Team All-America recognition as he led Ohio State to the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
In addition to his experience at Ohio State, Cook also played with the Central Florida Kraze of the Premier Development League and was selected as the most valuable player of the 2002 PDL National Championship.
Following his senior season, Cook became the first Buckeye player to be invited to the Major League Soccer combine and later was drafted by the Chicago Fire.
When a preseason injury ended his playing career, Cook turned to coaching. He has guided Central Florida United Under-12 and Under-16 teams and served as an assistant coach at Oviedo High School.
Cook holds a bachelor[apos]s degree in sports and leisure studies from Ohio State. He and his wife Stefanie, a former OSU gymnast, reside in Orlando.
1/2/07