Attention Coaches Connection members! Nominate a youth coach for our monthly spotlight!

Keep in mind the following criteria: commitment and reflection of the values and mission of US Youth Soccer*, positive impact on player development and the retention of youth soccer players. The selected coach will also show continued professional development and community involvement.

The selected Coach's picture and essay will be posted on our Web site and in our Coaches Connection monthly e-newsletter. He or she will receive a certificate of recognition award signed by US Youth Soccer's Coaching Education staff. If your nominee is selected he or she will automatically get a free membership if he/she is not a Coaches Connection Member already!

Rules:
1. Only one Coach will be selected per month.
2. Send nomination form to jthomas@usyouthsoccer.org or fax to 972-334-9960.
3. Nominating form must be completed fully upon submission.
4. Winner will be notified by US Youth Soccer's Coaching Education Department.

*Mission Statement
US Youth Soccer's mission is to foster the physical, mental and emotional growth and development of America's youth through the sport of soccer at all levels of age and competition.

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I have worked with Duncan Campbell for several years. He began his career as a volunteer recreational coach. He was one of those coaches that was told - If you don't coach, your kids cannot play because we don't have any volunteers. He accepted that role. 

Eventually, Duncan took a recreation board position and quickly became president. He led this program to acquire 63 acres and built, with the county's help, nine Bermuda fields. Now, in an attempt to unite our soccer community, he has become board president of Owensboro United Soccer Club, an independent select club with hopes of bringing a consistent program, Under-4 to Under-19 together.

Coach Duncan has bought into the academy concept and skill development of young players. He is constantly one of our most requested coaches. Parents can be sure if Duncan is their child's coach, they will have a successful season.   

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June 2009
Brad Olson
Carterville S.A. | Illinois Youth Soccer Association
Nominated by Brent Broshow

Brad Olson began with a vision to bring youth soccer to Carterville, Ill. Carterville was known around the area as a football town. The hard work, persistence and dedication of Olson has given more than 300 youth players the opportunity to experience the world's greatest sport, soccer. Brad has volunteered countless hours, had many sleepless nights and worked hard to overcome the resistance of many in the community to bring soccer to the area. 

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May 2009
Mike O'Brien
Elmont Soccer Club | Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
Nominated by Amphone Keovonemanysar 

 

Mike O'Brien is a dedicated coach and a tireless learner not only in terms of the game but more importantly, in making sure the players enjoy their experience regardless of wins or college scholarships.  He has coached the Elmont Retro Stars since they were Under-10.  Now being Under-19, he still has the same core players who come back and enjoy soccer day in and day out.  In an era where players switch teams and drop off, he has been able to maintain the same core players after over seven years of coaching.

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April 2009
Pete Fitton
Gwinnet Soccer Association | Georgia Soccer
Nominated by Berkley Baker

 

Pete Fitton embodies the mission of US Youth Soccer by his commitment to developing soccer players and more importantly, the building of character. Coach Pete has been coaching my son five years. He demonstrates his commitment by always challenging the kids physically and mentally with the game. He exposed them to the international game by keeping us informed about upcoming games and inviting in a host of different players. Pete's commitment and candor has served to develop his players in victory and defeat into Class A individuals.

 

Nominated by Tom Crook

Coach Brad Childers, founder and current Director of Futura Futbol Club Southland and more recently started the Metropolitan Community College Blue River women's soccer program as head coach, has been active in youth coaching since 1991.

 

I have been working with Coach Brad over the last couple of years and have found him to be an exceptional youth soccer coach that provides a professional and fun environment. His philosophy focuses on individual skills improvement and the benefits of team play, while developing a consistent commitment to pursuing excellence through soccer while also developing important life skills including character, persistence, discipline and teamwork.

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Coach Jay is a farm boy who grew up on a horse ranch which he now owns today. Coach Jay was not a soccer player and never has played even on a recreation team. Coach Jay however is a student of the game. He started 14 years ago volunteering as a coach's helper with no soccer knowledge when his son started playing. He was my helper and I had to swat him a time or two on the shoulder for yelling or giving five things to do at once. His famous quote that he would yell over and over as he coaches the ball up and down the sidelines was battle, battle. If they lose or something goes wrong, he quotes Anson Dorrance, "bummer", which is how far he has come as a coach and how he now looks at soccer as just a game and the players playing it is what is important.

 

A couple years later he took on a 4-year-old girls team for his daughter in the recreation league. Coach Jay cares for the players who needed help by paying the players' fees for those that couldn't afford it, he paid so many camp fees for kids I'm sure we all lost count.

 

At U-9, he took his original girls team to play select and found he had a ton that he needed to learn. Most of his top players were recruited away by the big clubs. Parents were swayed to leave by visions of better training, the big club name, his lack of playing experience and stories of high school stardom and college scholarships all at U-9. This was a really low point in his coaching career for all he had done for so many. After we had a few conversations and were convinced that there are lots of players out there and no one knows who the best players are at U-9, I told him he needed to learn more and take kids that wanted to be with him and over time they would be as good as any of those that left. I'm not sure he really believed that but it has turned out that way.

 

Jay went to book stores and bought soccer books and order DVDs, attended soccer clinics at AGMs on every soccer subject he could fine. He turned a horse barn into a small indoor training area that he could use year round. He built a small training field and a kick board for his team. He now loans out his little barn and outdoor field to about six other teams in the club for year round use. He still pays for a couple team fees each year and camp fees for several more players. He has bought sweat suits, shoes for players that couldn't afford them and much more with no one knowing.

 

While not every coach can afford to do this, he is also very passionate about kids doing the right thing. This fall, he had to suspend a player that has been with him along time because her grades were unacceptable. She got into fights at school, not to mention it was her third school in two years because of behavior. She was having parent trouble and her single mom wanted to stop her playing soccer. That would have been the easy thing for coach Jay to let happen and not have to deal with the issues and the disruption to his team. But Coach Jay knew how important soccer was to her so he set up a meeting with her mom, the school teacher and the player and helped set a plan of action for her to get on the right path. Three months later after no soccer and a constant checking from her club coach Jay, she was able to return to the team and has decent grades and her behavior has improved dramatically.

 

Now that little team he started with is a U-14 soccer juggernaut that he has molded and cared for the last 10 years. They are a shinning hope of what club soccer should be. You'll not find a rival club coach that doesn't think the world of coach Jay and his team.

 

So what can a person with no playing experience or knowledge of soccer do with a recreation team? How about winning the "A" division in SLYSA here in St. Louis at U-13. Have four of his players make Missouri US Youth Soccer ODP at U-13. One spent a week with the regional team at regional camp. Four of these girls were with him from U-10 after the "good players left". At U-14 they finished third playing up a year at U-15 "A" division this fall. They finished fourth in the Midwest Regional League this past fall. Again, has three players on the Missouri US Youth Soccer ODP team this year.

 

Considered one of the best teams at his U-14 age group not only for their skill and understanding of the game, but many of his players could of went to the big clubs as they got better, but players love to play for coach Jay and wouldn't think of leaving. He treats them with respect and it's fun to play soccer on coach Jay's team.

 

Not enough? How about starting over this fall with another group of pee wee players. The five-year-olds are playing games, laughing, having fun so they too will grow up loving the game as this horse farmer does.

 

He is what all coaches should be. A caretaker of the game and give it back to the players.

  

January 2009
Tim Chase
South Central Premier | Connecticut Youth Soccer Association

Nominated by Peter Trenchard

Tim is one of the finest coaches that I've had the privilege of working with. As a head coach for South Central Premier, he has won numerous US Youth Soccer Connecticut State Championship titles and has done well in the US Youth Soccer Region I Championship finals. 

Despite his success, he never brags and remains modest. Tim does his best to teach the game to his players, making sure they understand why and not just how. He prides himself on being an educator for his players as well as educating other coaches. He uses positive reinforcement when dealing with his players, especially when corrections need to be made. 

Tim is also a person his players look up to and they know he will always be there for them, on and off the field. In the time I served as Tim's assistant, I learned a great deal about being a better coach. Lessons I hope I can put to use throughout my coaching career.

To learn more about the Coaches Connection's Coach of the Month Spotlight, see the nominations and pictures of past winners, and to nominate a coach click here.


Craig brings a work effort to our club as our new Director of Coaching. He applies a positive attitude to every challenge. Craig works with all of the club's players and focuses on coaching the coaches. His energy powers the club, brings out the best in our coaches and helps us successfully deliver a positive youth soccer experience to our children.

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His instruction and leadership allow the players to develop skills both on and off the field that enable them to be active participants in soccer and their own community. He continues to work year round encouraging participation in soccer with hopes of growing the love of the game in urban areas.

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October 2008
Steve Roche, Director of Coach and Player Development
Simsbury Soccer Club | Connecticut Youth Soccer Association

Steve is currently the coach of Simsbury Soccer Club's Under-14 Boys Strikers and is Director of Coach and Player Development for the club. As a coach, he focuses on developing his players' technical and tactical skills while making sure his players are having fun. Steve has gotten his ""E"" license and has gone to many clinics to enhance his coaching ability. In addition, he has brought in professional trainers to supplement his training. Last spring, his team won the Connecticut Cup.

 

In his role as Director of Coach and Player Development, Steve has been instrumental in increasing the quality and quantity of coach and player training for the club. Under Steve's leadership, the club has gone from a disjointed development program to a much more integrated program that is continuing to evolve and grow. This past winter, Steve spent countless hours evaluating trainers and training programs. As a result of Steve's hard work, the club has hired a new training company that will be providing enhanced coach development opportunities and a comprehensive player development program.

 

In summary, Steve has done a great job living up to the mission of US Youth Soccer with his team and he increased the quality of training for the entire club.

September 2008
Lori Miller
Dacula Soccer Club | Georgia Soccer

Furthermore, she is now working with surrounding clubs in metro-Atlanta to do all academy scheduling for our club. She is a wonderful asset in parent education as she understands all the difficulties of managing scheduling obstacles. Lori is a full time CPA and this short description does not do her justice for her commitment to DSC.

Nominated by Joe Aaron, Suwanee, GA

Praise from Rob Mangino, DSC Academy Director
Lori became the Academy Administrator and Scheduler for DSC this past summer. It became evident quickly that Lori was perfect for the job. She works tremendously hard at various difficult tasks. She handles parent concerns with ease and makes sure everyone is ready for weekend matches, tournaments, and other activities. Her dedication and commitment has allowed me to spend more time "on the field" coaching our players. Our staff, parents, and entire club benefit from Lori's enthusiastic support of Dacula Soccer Club. Lori is deserving of recognition for her efforts.

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August 2008
Bruce Baldwin
Holliston Youth Soccer | Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association

 

Bruce has been an icon in Holliston Soccer for more years than anyone can remember. Being a volunteer organization, Bruce gives freely of his time and talents beyond the responsibilities of his current title within the organization. Coaching is merely the icing on the cake in our organization. Bruce brings enthusiasm, love for the game and proper balance to every team he has coached from K-clinic to Under-18. He has functioned as Association President, Memorial Day Tournament Director, Association Vice President, Registrar and many other positions just as important but without a title. Bruce's attitude is to do what it takes to get the job done.

 

Nominated by Rick Beidleman

 

 

Nominated by Lin Powell and Aaron Duca

Fred coaches FC Dallas Youth's 93 boys team with Lin Powell. Fred has a passion for the game and he loves trying to instill that passion into each of his players. He has taken the 93 team from entry level to the Classic League utilizing the same core group of boys.

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Scott is a Premier and Recreational coach at Hunters Creek Soccer Club in Orlando, Florida. His knowledge of soccer stems from personal experience at the collegiate level when he played for American University and University of Nevada Las Vegas, as well as some pro soccer experience. Although he is at a small club, players from all over Orlando vie for a spot on his Under-9 Premier team. The team chooses to play in the Under-10 division because of their skills and for increased competition. He is one of the few Premier coaches in Central Florida who does not charge for training—he does it to help the kids. Parents have offered to pay him, but all of his training and coaching is free, as long as the kids love the game and play hard. 

 

Parents acknowledge him as an excellent role model. Scott helped create the ""School of Excellence"" program at Hunters Creek Soccer Club for recreational players wishing to one day play competitive soccer. To benefit the players and parents, he developed the program, and ran the sessions for free. This program is now growing each week.

 

Scott also coaches an Under-8 recreational team because the parents asked him to, not because he felt obligated. Though he does not always have the time, he takes time away from other things, such as work and his own family, to coach the team. He is the only coach at Hunters Creek Soccer Club, and the only coach we know of in all of Central Florida, to have a waiting list for his team. 

 

Convinced that skills and technical training are key aspects for young players, Scott focuses his training on these two areas. He stresses heart, effort and taking players on all over the field. Everything Scott does is geared toward our players getting better, having confidence, respecting the game and having fun.

 

He is a licensed coach being asked by other clubs to coach and train there; however, he feels a commitment to the families at Hunters Creek Soccer Club. Scott does not ask for money, sponsors or anything. The players and parents of Hunters Creek Soccer Club are proud to have him receive some much-deserved recognition and thanks for everything he does for the kids both on and off the soccer field.

 

Congratulations from the Technical Department of US Youth Soccer.