By Steve Malone

A recurring question I've faced over the years is, "How did you get so involved in the NSCAA?" This question was posed at the recent Men's College Cup in St. Louis. I'm sure it's a question that every officer, Board of Directors member and committee chair has had to answer. I'm also sure everyone's answer is different.

First of all, I think you must be committed to the NSCAA before being involved. Most people who know me know I grew up in West Virginia. As a young boy I was enthralled by the old-timers who sat outside the local newsstand trading stories and pocket knives. One of them asked me if I knew the difference between involvement and commitment. I was about 10 years old and had no idea what the difference was. He asked me if I'd ever had bacon and eggs for breakfast. Of course, that was a breakfast I had many times. He said, "Well, that chicken was involved with your breakfast, but that hog, now there was a commitment!" I hope no one ever gets that committed to the NSCAA, but I hope you get the point.

Commitment to the NSCAA can come in many forms. First and foremost is a passion for the Association. Almost everyone who has had a long-term involvement with the NSCAA has had a passion for the Association.

My involvement began in 1976. I became the Maryland representative on the High School All-South committee under Bill Holleman. In the early '80s Bill decided to start his climb up the NSCAA ladder, one that has led him to receiving the Honor Award. He asked me if I would take his place as the South chair. I told him I'd like to think about it. When I received my Convention issue of Soccer Journal, my name was listed as South region chair -- so much for thinking!

I served as South region chair on the Boys' Secondary All-America committee until 1992. At that Ray Buss, the National Chairman, decided to retire and I was appointed to take his place. Four years later I was persuaded to run for Boys High School Representative on the Board of Directors. To my surprise, I was elected. I served six years on the Board and the same "friends" persuaded me to run for Secretary of the Executive Committee. Again, I was elected and thus began the progression to the presidency.

That's just one example of how a person became involved. Not everyone can, or wants to, be on the Board of Directors or Executive Committee. However, there are many ways in which you can become involved. You must be willing to do the so-called "dirty jobs." Many of you know a group of my friends who are visible at many NSCAA functions. This group, which has come to be known as the "Maryland Mafia," started when two of us were pressed in service at the Division I Final Four (now College Cup) in Richmond in 1995. Mike McFarland, then NSCAA Communications Director, needed help and grabbed us.

This group grew to six and still does many of the "dirty jobs." Things like punching tickets in brutal cold at College Cups, running registration at College Cup symposiums and stuffing breakfast, luncheon and reception programs at the Convention. I'm sure you don't know their names, but you would recognize them.

The NSCAA needs this type of committed person to survive. This is truly a volunteer organization. You've been reminded many times of the "Red Aprons." These are the most honored group of men in our Association, literally living legends of American soccer, and they still volunteer at the Convention, giving back to the sport while in their 70's and 80's. You can't miss them at registration.

So get involved. Let people know of your interest. Most of you are familiar with someone who is involved. Ask them how they did it. They may be able to give you a path to follow. If there is a position open in your state on a Coach of the Year, All-America or rankings committee, let it be known that you're interested in filling it. Don't expect to start at the national level. We all started at the local level. It may take several years before you move up to the national level, or you may never make that move. Almost any national chairman will tell you how important it is to have quality people at the local level. Virtually every award the NSCAA offers begins at the local level. If there is a breakdown in the Coach of the Year selections at the local level, the national committee can't do its job.

If the Convention is being held in your city or region, volunteer to help the Local Organizing Committee. Only a limited number of people can serve on the LOC, but a great deal of help is needed for things like finding quality demonstration players and generating publicity for the awareness of the Convention. The day before the Convention finds a large number of volunteers stuffin the welcome packets that you receive when you register. While looping through the packet stuffing line you'll meet many of the Association's leaders. Your Executive Director will be there stuffing packets, something he's done for more than 15 years. Our entire National Office staff will be there, along with Past Presidents, Hall of Famers and their spouses and friends. This is an essential job and just "doesn't happen."

A final way to get involved is to run for a position on the Board of Directors or Executive Committee. If you believe you can contribute, run for the Board. Don't wait to be invited or persuaded. It's difficult to serve on the Executive Committee without Board of Directors experience. The Board is where you learn how the associaiton works. After an apprenticeship there, it's possible to move on to the Executive Committee with a solid foundation of knowledge about the NSCAA.  
 
At the very least, there's an easy way to have an impact on the Association; vote in the annual Board elections. It's the simplest way to make a diference inthe NSCAA.

In summary, not everyone can reach a high level of involvement in the NSCAA. However, you won't know if you don't try.