Last Friday we began our 20 hour training week as part of our non-traditional season.  This is one of the best times of the year to be a college soccer coach, because we get the opportunity to concentrate on developing our players and at a tempo which isn’t as crazy as our traditional fall season, when our full concentration is on WINNING.

The spring is when we do all the foundational work in building a championship team for the fall.  And, this spring is a little different than past non-traditional seasons at A&M since we have almost all of our 2010 players that will be competing in the fall, already here and involved in our spring workouts.

Quick Kicks – Here are some quick looks into some of the news surrounding our players and former players this week:

• Micah and Petey in Rio – Last week I commented on Emily Peterson’s new blog that she’s maintaining while she and Micah Stephens travel around the world.  I don’t know if you have read it, but I suggest you do; it sounds like an incredible journey, filled with eye popping experiences.  This week they are in Brazil and her blog covers their adventures in one of the most vibrant cities on Earth – Rio.  Petey comments on her motorcycle tour of the sites of the city, attending the Flamingo vs. Fluminense soccer game at Maracana Stadium, Samba School leading up to Carnaval, and lots more.  It sounds like a great start to their round the world adventure.

 

• Shipley to be with National Team – Congratulations to Rachel Shipley for being invited to the USA under-23 Women’s National Team Camp next month in Carson, California.  She is coming off of a great junior season for A&M and is very deserving of the call-up.  This means we’ll have 3 Aggies attending that week long training camp – Rachel Shipley, Kristin Arnold, and Whitney Hooper.  I’m obviously excited for them.  I get to see their hard work every day, so it’s nice for them to get paybacks even beyond the great success and experiences they earn with their teammates here in Aggieland.

 

• Congratulations to our soccer groundskeeper Craig Potts for being named the George Toma Golden Rake Award winner by the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) at the organization’s annual convention, held last month at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. The award, named after legendary groundskeeper and NFL hall of famer George Toma, acknowledges an individual’s strong work ethic and job performance.  In presenting Potts with the award, the STMA described him as “an active chapter member, a frequent speaker and presenter, and a mentor to many crew members and students. He is highly respected for his nationally recognized fields, but even more so for his professionalism and humility.”  Potts and athletic fields manager Leo Goertz have seen their crew bring in numerous awards during their tenure in Aggieland, including College Soccer Field of the Year for the Aggie Soccer Stadium, Football Field of the Year for Kyle Field, and NFCA Field of The Year for the Aggie Softball Complex.

 

• Beat the Hell Outta Breast Cancer this Saturday – I hope you’ll join our players in supporting the  Aggies’ annual drive to raise money in the fight against breast cancer.  Several of the mothers of our former players are breast cancer survivors, and I hope that no more women (or their families) have to go through that experience.  Click HERE to learn more about the event this Saturday.

 

• Soccer Players in Relief of Haiti – I received an email from Jason Garey last week about a program to aid the victims of the terrible earthquake in Haiti.  Jason is the brother of our former captain Melissa Garey.  He is a forward for the Columbus Crew.  Anyway, one of his former teammates – Seth Stammler, who now plays for the New York Red Bulls – started a foundation to support Haiti several years ago.  To date they have raised money that has dug a well to provide clean drinking water to thousands of Haitians.  Seth also collects used soccer gear that his foundation donates to local kids in that country.  His foundation donates 100% of the money and gear that they receive.  His website is www.sportingchancefoundation.org I hope you and other folks in our soccer community will help this great cause!

Manchester United coach joining us again this summer

I have received confirmation from Rich Hartis that he will be back in Aggieland this summer – this will be his 10^th year to be with the Texas A&M Soccer Camp! 

Rich is the director of goalkeeping for the Manchester United Academy program and the coach of the GKs on United’s reserve team with Ole Gunnar Solskjær.  He was the goalkeeper coach of the full team in 2008 when the Red Devils won the treble – ELP, FA Cup, and Champions League titles.  He works every week with some of the best goalkeepers in the world, including Edwin Vander Sar, Tomasz Kusczak, Ben Foster, and young Ben Amos.

Rich has had a huge impact on Texas A&M soccer players and coaches, not just our camper and camp staff.  His training methods, personality, and professional insight have helped our goalkeepers to become some of the very best in America.  As an old goalkeeper and the guy who trains our keepers, I can’t put into words how great it has been having Rich with us all these years!

He’s a real treat for our summer campers to experience!  FYI – you can sign up your soccer player online TODAY for our summer soccer camps at www.AggieSoccerCamp.com

Speaking of Manchester United, here is a quick little video highlight from their recent 3-1 defeat of Arsenal in London.