Bob Gansler is widely regarded as one of the finest clinicians in the history of American soccer. His wisdom and insight are unparalleled and his passion for the game is appreciated by scores of NSCAA members.

Fittingly, the US Soccer and NSCAA Hall of Famer will headline the NSCAA’s inaugural Summer Symposium, taking place Aug. 1-3, 2013, at the Orlando World Center.

“I am still like a pig in mud when it comes to coaching education,” the 71-year-old Gansler said from his Milwaukee home. “I have always maintained that coaching education is something that has truly helped this game develop in the United States.”

Gansler said it’s been an evolutionary stroll with the NSCAA. He remembers his early days assisting in developing the current NSCAA Academy Education program.

“I remember being there at the start of the formal program back in the early 80s,” Gansler said. “(NSCAA Honor Award winner) Jimmy Lennox, Jay Miller and myself were in the trenches at Duke in 1981 teaching the NSCAA course. I knew then that mentoring coaches of all ages would be an important part of my work in soccer.”

Of course, coaches of all ages continue to seek out instruction from Gansler. 

“When I was a young coach, like a lot of other young coaches, we all had our mentors and our favorites,” said head coach of the legendary University of North Carolina women’s soccer team, Anson Dorrance.  “Bob Gansler was always and continues to be one of mine. His command of a session and powerful yet humble presence always move me.

Throughout my coaching life the information that Bob Gansler taught me at the U.S. Soccer and NSCAA national coaching schools has stayed with me.  Quite simply, he is one of the greatest American soccer educators of all time and I am proud to be a part of his coaching tree. Make no mistake, his session in Orlando will inspire every single coach who attends.”

And, coaches of all ages continue to honor the man for his work.

The number of accolades and awards that Gansler has received from nearly every soccer association that has ever existed in this country is too long to list. Some key honors include the Charlotte Moran Long Term Service Award (2012), the National Soccer Hall of Fame (2011), NSCAA Hall of Fame inductee (2010), and the Walt Chyzowych Award (2000).

“I don’t think any of us got into this business for the awards and accolades,” Gansler said. “You do it because you care. I continue to do it today because I want to help the next generation of soccer coaches.

“I continue to maintain that receiving praise from your peers is always the ultimate compliment. That’s what makes the NSCAA family so special.”

Gansler did admit that receiving the NSCAA Walt Chyzowych Award – named in honor of the longtime Wake Forest men’s soccer coach and US Soccer Director of Coaching who died in 1994 – moved him to tears. 

“To receive an award in the name of that man and his stature is something very special,” Gansler said.  “He brought me to the dance. In my opinion, no one has done more in terms of furthering coaching education and the way a game is viewed through a coach’s eyes than Walt. I will always cherish that award.”

Because the NSCAA Summer Symposium sessions will focus on coaches with players between 6 and 18 years old, Gansler said he wasn’t about to miss the fun in Orlando.

For the last five years, Gansler has been working with the Umbro Youth Soccer Club in the Milwaukee area, doing sessions for all ages, both genders, as well as all of the club coaches.

“That’s our future,” Gansler said. “And providing our coaches with good and practical tools to teach our young players – boys and girls – is imperative to our continued success. It’s not about pontificating, but rather, these symposiums are about sharing ideas, communicating, networking, and improving everybody’s feel for the game. 

“We talk about all aspects of the game. The physical, technical, tactical, and psychological aspect of the game … we touch on all of those because you can’t just do one to be successful. Coaches should incorporate as many of those aspects together with every session. We will break it all down in Orlando.”

Other highlights of the weekend in Orlando include the inaugural NSCAA Foundation Golf Tournament, the Athletes' Performance Soccer Performance Training Mentorship and so much more. Coaches also have the opportunity to earn their NSCAA Level 2 diploma and the NFHS/NSCAA Professional Development Certificate. Online registration is open and available at the Summer Symposium homepage. The sooner attendees register, the better the chance for access to the best registration and hotel rates.

Even better is the access you will have to one of the true icons of American soccer: Bob Gansler.

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