| Neutral Territory (January 2006) |
By Louise Waxler
I have a skeleton that’s lurking in my coaching closet, but I’ve decided letting it out in the light is the right thing to do. Before I introduce you to my skeleton, however, I’d like to introduce myself and address the year ahead as I see it.
Thank-you to Schellas
I would be remiss, however, to not first thank outgoing president Schellas Hyndman for the time and energy he has given to the NSCAA. Schellas is not only an NSCAA Academy coach, but is also head men’s coach at NCAA Division I Southern Methodist University in Dallas. And even as he gave many, many hours to serving as NSCAA president, he guided his SMU team to the NCAA Division I College Cup, only losing to eventual champion Maryland in the semifinals. I congratulate him on his success both on and off the field.
The cornerstone of Schellas’ term of office was successfully expanding the global recognition of the NSCAA and the excellence of its coaching education. He also helped bring on staff a full-time advocate for NCAA Division I intercollegiate soccer. It is daunting to follow in his footsteps.
“It’s all about the kids”
As I look to the year ahead and my term in the office as NSCAA president, I draw upon my own roots in the game, grassroots if you will, for my goals.
I started my soccer career as a soccer mom. That term entered America’s pop lexicon in the last decade and has been used with both admiration and dismissal. My daughter was a youth player, who progressed to travel clubs and then on to college ball. Her soccer career often was the center of our family’s life, but her soccer career also guided me on a path that has made soccer the core of my professional life.
I am committed to the philosophy that soccer is all about the kids. We coach, administer, referee and otherwise serve to offer America’s soccer playing youth greater opportunities than have ever been available before. It is one of my goals to see both our boys and girls have the opportunity to play at the professional and world level. However, it is equally my goal to see every soccer playing boy or girl have such a wonderful experience that even if their playing career goes no further than their neighborhood rec team, they will be lifelong fans of the game we all love.
I believe coaches at every level are the key to accomplishing both those goals.
My skeleton revealed
Now I want to introduce you to my skeleton: I am not a coach, nor did I play the game as a child. I have served the coaching and soccer community at the youth, college, professional and even World Cup level, but I never have coached on the field. Because of that, some may not see me as a “soccer person.”
I understand that I am the first president of the NSCAA that has not been a coach. I believe, however, that there are many ways to serve the good of the sport we all love. Professionally, I am president of a soccer marketing and events company. For 12 years, I have served on the NSCAA board of directors, representing the youth and women’s soccer perspective, but also assisting my fellow board members to better understand how all the levels of our sport can work together. During that time, I’ve heard that term – “soccer person” – used, and I’ve wondered just how you become a soccer person. Some have a very narrow definition, that the soccer person must have played and/or coached for a number of years.
I believe soccer’s greatest strength is its tremendous diversity. Our definition of what makes a soccer person should be inclusive, recognizing all who give their time, talent and passion to growing the game in so many different ways, from the coaches and referees on the field to the administrators who spend long hours organizing clubs, tournaments and state associations.
I believe in the power of soccer – the youth or college or pro or international game. But the potential of that power cannot be achieved until all levels of the game are linked together to accomplish the greatest possible success for our sport in America.
NSCAA must be soccer’s ”Switzerland”
In my years as an NSCAA board member, I have always believed in leaving individual political hats at the door. The NSCAA is one of only a tiny handful of organizations in American soccer that can truly claim to be a “Switzerland” in the game. When I joined the NSCAA and came to my first convention, I was greeted with a warmth and acceptance that I hope will always remain a part of our organizational culture.
A key goal of my administration is to ensure that we continue to be inclusive organization, inviting all to work with us. Frankly, I don’t like soccer politics. I think they weigh us down. The youth soccer organizations of our sport are experiencing dramatic changes and we, as the NSCAA simply want to offer our support to them all.
The professional game faces its own challenges and again, we as the NSCAA want to offer our support in every way possible. And as our U.S. team makes its way to Germany and the World Cup in the tough group of competitors, the NSCAA will offer its support and enthusiasm in every way possible. Coaches are the most passionate fans of all!
A special salute to the NSCAA staff
The NSCAA has the best staff of any organization in American soccer. I have worked with most of the soccer organizations in this country and there are many, many good people working in all of them. But with the leadership of Executive Director Jim Sheldon and Associate Executive Director Steve Veal, I see a group of people who believe deeply in service to their membership, the wise use of limited resources and putting the larger organization ahead of any individual egos or careers. I am honored to work more closely with them during the year ahead.
I look forward to serving as your president during the 2006 World Cup year. I commit my time, my energy and my enthusiasm. |
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