TODAY WHEN YOU SEE YOUR FORMER PGCC PLAYERS WHO HAVE GROWN , MATURED AND CREATED OUT- STANDING CAREERS EITHER IN COACHING OR IN OTHER PROFESSIONS , WHAT GOES THROUGH YOUR MIND ? Today I am so proud of how many of my former players have flourished as young adults with their families and developed into good professionals in their respective careers . I was also very proud that a few of my former players returned to coach at the college . They not only coached but led the teams to win League and Regional titles and also reached the Nationals .
WHO ARE SOME OF THE PEOPLE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE IN THIS INTERVIEW FOR SUPPORTING YOUR TENURE AS HEAD COACH AND PROFESSOR AT PGCC ? I am very grateful to former President Robert Bickford for hiring me at the college ; to former Athletic Director Ronald Mann for hiring me to coach the men ’ s soccer program ; and I ’ m thankful for the tremendous support from Dan Redmiles and Bob West .
CHILDHOOD :
WHO WAS RESPONSI- BLE FOR INTRODUCING YOU TO THE BEAU- TIFUL GAME AS A PLAYER ? I came from a coal mining area of Pennsylvania and played basketball throughout my athletic career at Hazle Township High School . I didn ’ t play soccer until I arrived at Lock Haven State College ( PA ). This was the start of my experience with “ the beautiful game .”
WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS GROWING UP ? I played soccer , tennis and ran track in college .
DO YOU BELIEVE IN MULTI-SPORT ATHLETES ? I supported multi-sport athletes , but today I notice that most of the coaches want players who are completely dedicated to an all-year-round sport . This is not good in my opinion ! Because it can take away the enjoyment of the sport and later boredom sets in . Players need to be free to make up their own minds about selecting and playing various sports .
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT IN THE U . S .
Most soccer experts believe that the “ Pay-to-Play ” philosophy in the U . S . continues to hinder the identification of talented players , especially immigrant youth that come from poorer families .
WHAT ’ S YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THIS TOPIC ? Today ’ s “ youth soccer ” does support and incorporate the “ Pay-to-Play ” methodology but I never got a penny for coaching club soccer . I coached club soccer because I loved the sport , and it was a chance for my two sons to play . It was an opportunity for me to be part of their lives in the sport that they loved to play .
COMPARED TO WHEN YOU STARTED COACHING SOCCER , HOW HAS PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AD- VANCED IN THE UNITED STATES ? Players and parents in today ’ s “ youth soccer ” pay to be on teams ! Back in the day , we coached and played for the love and passion for the game of soccer . It was never a hindrance to have my club players also compete for their high schools . That was an important component for athletics , which was to have the best athletes of the high school compete against the rival schools . This builds history , competition and tradition in the community .
FINAL WORDS :
WHAT WERE THE TRAINING METHODS USED BACK IN THE ’ 70S AND ’ 80S AND HOW HAS IT ADVANCED WITH TODAY ’ S SOCCER METHODOLOGY ? Back in those days , I would attend various coaching clinics and would learn different ideas and methodologies but , in my opinion , the game of soccer is like the sport of basketball . The difference is you ’ re playing and using your feet constantly but there are a lot of similarities between the two sports .
WHAT ARE SOME FINAL WORDS OF WISDOM THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE YOUTH AND COLLE- GIATE COACHES OF AMERICA ? Soccer must be a sport for the kids who love and enjoy the game . It ’ s a beautiful game but it requires tremendous time and effort to improve technical and tactical skills . Lots of skills can be developed with kids working and practicing on their own , in the backyard , in the streets , but without so many conditions or restrictions from coaches . Enjoyment is the key to development ! And just remember , only a very few players advance to the professional level . n
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