Coaches Meeting

Tonight we had our annual Jaguars WSoccer Coaches Meeting at Assistant Coach Steve's house. Steve sure makes a good steak. We spent 4 hours going over the plans for preseason and coaching goals for the season.

We really have a great staff, and it is exciting to be working with coaches who are so passionate about not only the game, but also the endless hours they put in to help the players and our young program improve and grow.

We are excited for preseason!!!

Busy Week!!!!!!

So this just happens to be one of those weeks. Setting up end of year visits, tours, landlords, meeting with the AD, more tours, and so on. Plus this just happens to be the week that the Soccer Academy I am involved with has its first tournament. It really is trying to take 100 hours and squeeze them into a work week. So you take all of this and it is pretty overwhelming.................but it is all worth it. I am pretty grateful to be involved with this team and these student athletes.

So a nice hot, humid day in Olean, NY and most are out doing things or laying in front of a fan,,,,,,and I walk into our learning center to see a returning sophmore working on some things for her summer class. I must admit, that some days this position of being a head coach really isnt the easiest thing to do,,,,,,,and sometimes it is seeing things like this today, that have very little with what is going on, on the field.......that just impress me.

Coaching with my former Coaches

So we have an interesting set up here for the JCC Jaguars. Assistant Coach Steve Grabowski and Keeper Coach Dennis Tobolski we're both my coaches as a player. I learned many things from both of them as a player and as coach.

I was pretty lucky as a player, as I really lucked out and had coaches who really cared about the kids, and it wasnt about them saying they did, it was about their actions. The type of coaches who showed up early and stayed late. Dennis taught me about the game, and Steve taught me how to win. Both of these guys bring so much to the program, and it isnt just about what is happening during the 90 minutes. Any of the girls who have played in this program already, know what I am talking about.

Now in 2009, we will be adding a former team-mate/room-mate of mine from Genesee CC, Tom Kirchhoff. Tom was the starting keeper on my team as a freshman, and an assistant coach on the team during my sophmore year. Tom still holds the record since 1992 for the most saves in a season in the NJCAA. Tom will be helping with recruiting in Steuban, Allegany, and Monroe Counties, as well as appearing for s few preseason sessions. Tom left Genesee CC and played at Brockport, and also went on to coach with ODP, and various Monroe County Soccer Clubs.

Then we have Beth Hilyer. Beth is our fitness and conditioning coach. She was a former trainer for the Olean YMCA. Beth brings soccer specific fitness training to our family. She has really put in alot of time studying the game in the past year, and gives our program another added dimension.

I am very, very lucky as a head coach to have such a caring and passionate staff. For me, as a coach, it really is a dream come true.

Just over 60 Days till Pre-Season

I can't believe we are entering the 2009 pre-season in just over 60 days. This has been a process being a coach here and helping to start a new soccer program. In 06' we began as a club program. How much has changed since then. The first year was very interesting as we barley fielded a team and played just a few games. We would get around 6 at practice a few days a week. Thinking back though, I have to say that we had a few girls who could flat out play. Most of the team on the other hand never played before. The girls that could flat out play, played in 5 games as a club team, and this cost them a year of eligabilty. What a sacrafice these girls made, and because they made this sacrafice, we we're able to start the program as a varsity sport in 2007. I knew as a coach that when I came into this, I had to see the big picture, and that even though I want us to be a powerhouse..........that it is going to take time, and it is going to take sacrafice from the coaching staff and the players, and the program will move forward, ..........and it will be fun to be apart of something that is bigger than all of us involved. Now thinking about it, we have really made some big steps, and I am now even more excited to see the new team come together during the pre-season, and see what memories they can create.

Well thats all for tonight............Emeri is now rolling over and smiling alot, so I am going to go watch her and make dumb faces and funny noises.

JCC JAGUARS WSOCCER

Jamestown Community College-Cattaraugus County Campus
AKA JCC-Olean is located in Olean, NY.

The Jaguars WSoccer Program was established in 2007
The Jaguars compete in the NJCAA Region 3, as a NJCAA Div. 3 Program
The Jaguars colors are white, royal blue, and black

More info on the program can be seen at
PLAYER/RECRUIT PAGE www.freeteams.net/jaguarswsoccer
Also on Twitter, Be Recruited, Utube, and Facebook