| Time Passages (January 2009) |
Reflecting on the past creates an appreciation for the present
By Randy Waldrum
In these uncertain economic times, one can’t help but wonder what this means to coaches and their financial security, to our sport in general as we attempt to grow the MLS and the new WPS, and to the NSCAA, which has grown tremendously in recent years. All we can do at the moment is be fiscally responsible and push forward with more caution. As an NCAA college coach myself, we already are preparing for cutbacks that could occur and the NCAA is already discussing possible options for the NCAA tournament and its format in order to be more conservative on travel and costs.
Fortunately my faith over the past years has become very important to me, and I’ve always felt that God has a plan for us all. I think we see this in our everyday lives, sometimes recognizing it and sometimes not. I have no doubt that there was a reason Al Albert was our President this past year. One of Al’s most important initiatives during his tenure was the formation of a foundation, which will enhance and secure the future of the NSCAA. At the time Al began this initiative, none of us realized what was about to hit us from an economic standpoint. As it has played out, the timing couldn’t have been better in making us all realize the importance of the foundation. For this, along with everything else he’s have done during your time as President, we owe Al our gratitude. I encourage all of our members to get involved in some small way if possible to make sure that we can generate the dollars needed to enhance this foundation, thus making sure that the NSCAA can continue supporting us all. I want to take this moment as well, to thank the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, the national office and all of the volunteers that made sure that we had a successful year both on and off the pitch.
This year marks my 27th in coaching, and time has absolutely flown by. It doesn’t seem like that long ago that I began my coaching career at Irving MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas. I clearly remember the opening day of classes and the anxiety that I felt on that first day. I remember, too, the pressure (or what I perceived as pressure) coaching a program that was vastly successful before me. I had no idea what coaching and pressure really was! Looking back now, I realize that the older I get, the more my priorities in coaching have changed.
As a young coach, I just wanted to win! I thought my whole reputation would be built upon wins and losses. I look back and see how I handled players, opponents and coaches, referees and parents, and I realize how wrong I was. That word “experience” really comes into play, doesn’t it? How many times have we all said that we wish we knew as a player all the things we know as a coach? How much a better player would we have been? I think it’s the same for coaching. If I had known as a young coach all the things I know now, how much better would I have been 20 years ago? Nothing can take the place of age and experience, and that is why it’s vital that we continue moving forward with coaching education. The game continually evolves and changes, and none of us have all the answers. I’ve found that traveling around the world and taking courses internationally that we have some of the best coaches in the world right here in the U.S. I’ve also found that our NSCAA coaching courses are superior to most I’ve seen and been part of. We all need to continue to educate ourselves and stay on top of the new trends that continue in our game. Contrary to the early years when I just wanted to win, I now find my enjoyment comes from teaching and learning.
Another thing I’ve come to realize is that my role as a coach is not just to win championships, but more important, it is to develop and shape young people’s lives. Our future lies in the players we are coaching, and outside of parents we often are the most influential persons in their lives. We have an obligation to set high standards for our players athletically, academically and, of course, socially. In this day and age, the discipline and guidance we can provide is so important in shaping the lives of our players.
I’ve also found that the older I get, the more thankful I am for my family and friends and the sacrifices they make in being associated with those of us in a coaching profession. It’s not easy being a coach’s spouse. My wife Dianna is the best thing that ever happened to me, and she is my rock, and most important, my best friend. For those of us who have children who have followed in our footsteps as players and even as coaches, they may have the most difficult challenge of all. They struggle to make their own identities, instead of those of the parents. I know this because my son Ben played soccer professionally and is now coaching. I’m proud of how well he’s handled the challenge of making his own mark as a player and a coach.
With time, too, I’ve also come to appreciate more and more those people who influenced me. Eric Nordstrom introduced me to this great sport, Simon Sanchez coached me and led me to love this game with a passion, and Howard Patterson taught me the organization needed to be good in this profession. John Cossaboon introduced me to coaching elite players in North Texas and into coaching education at the state level, and Bob Gansler gave me the opportunity to join the U.S. Soccer National Coaching staff. This was such a wonderful opportunity for me to develop alongside some of the top coaches our country has to offer. Schellas Hyndman gave me my first college coaching opportunity as an assistant coach at SMU. He has continued to be a great mentor and friend to me for more than 25 years now, and for this, Schellas, I’ll always be indebted to you. There certainly are others that have helped shape me as a player and coach, and so many more that influenced my philosophy about the game. For all of the people who have touched my life, I feel extremely blessed! I’d encourage everyone to take a moment sometime soon and drop some of your mentors a note of “thanks”, and let them know how much they have meant to you.
Lastly, as I’ve become older, I have found the most enjoyable part of every game for me is the playing of the National Anthem. I still get goosebumps when it’s played, and my thoughts always drift to our soldiers of today and years past who spent time in horrible conditions protecting this great country! Because of them, all of us get to have the opportunity to have the best job in the world…being a soccer coach. God Bless America and the troops that protect us!!
It’s funny how time makes the wins and losses less important but makes the true spirit of sportsmanship much more important. I look forward to a fantastic year with the NSCAA, and wish you all success and happiness.
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