Brandi Chastain - Celebrity Soccer Challenge

For many years Brandi Chastain has been well known for her outstanding professional soccer accomplishments as well as her major contributions during her participation on the United States women’s national soccer team. Chastain currently plays for the California Storm of Women’s Premier Soccer League and has played for the San Jose CyberRays of the Women’s United Soccer Association, and FC Gold Pride of Women’s Professional Soccer. In her position of defender and midfielder through-out her playing career she has been a major force, helping her teams win two Women’s World Cup championships, two Olympic gold medals, and an Olympic silver medal. Off the field, for many years Chastain has been involved in charitable causes. On Sept. 22nd at San Jose’s Municipal Stadium, Chastain is hosting the Brandi Chastain Celebrity Soccer Challenge and Radio Disney Concert.

SZ: Team building exercises can be an important intervention to overcome individual differences and clarify roles and strengths. As a player and later as a coach which team building exercises have been your favorite and why?

BC: We’ve done so many of these over the years. Two come to mind immediately.  The team (1996 National team before the Olympic Games) were out on the soccer field and a soccer field is a really big space. The team was at the Olympic training center in San Diego and the sport psychologist pumped up a balloon for each player. There were around 24 players and each player was given a balloon. The first part of the exercise began and the task was each player had to keep their own balloon in the air. We had three minutes to keep the balloon going. Then more balloons were introduced and the exercise shifted to player’s needing to manage their balloon and another balloon at the same time. As a team our task was to work together to manage all the balloons. Players couldn’t just worry about their own balloon. The message was can a player manage their own balloon amongst other people who were trying to manage their own and how long could we as a team keep all the balloons going? It was an exercise in effective communication, focus, and managing the space as a team. The exercise was timed to see if collectively we could beat the previous time. I remember that exercise as being really fun. It parallels a lot of things that you do in life. We talk about juggling different things in our lives so the balloon exercise was really effective. 

SZ: What a great exercise.

BC: And it’s fun! That’s the great thing about team building. Let me go back a step. I think psychology is something you have to buy into. You have to practice these things and be diligent about it. You have to buy into, “Okay I am going to try this exercise and get something out of it.” I think that was one thing that the (1996) national team did that year was buy into the idea that this was critical to our success. Even though the balloon exercise was a silly exercise of keeping a balloon in the air, we took it seriously.

SZ: This exercise really impacted you.

BC: For sure. There were many exercises we practiced and the sport psychologist gave us some great individual exercises, and sometimes stories. I remember one story in particular about an individuals impact on society. It was a story about a man walking down the beach and from the opposite direction a woman was walking down the beach. The woman noticed from the distance that every few steps the man would lean down and throw something into the ocean. The woman finally was close enough to inquire what the man was doing. He said, “I’m helping these sand dabs get back to the ocean.” The woman said, “That’s like an endless task. You can’t make a difference in the big scheme of things.” The man replied, “Well to this sand dab I did.” The message being that the task seems really, really big but as one person you can make a difference maybe to one other person or thing. Overtime you make a greater difference. That message stuck with me as well. 

SZ: The examples you just shared with me planted some powerful seeds in your mind. In the experiences and story the seeds of meaning were planted. As a player when you are in the experience competing, somewhere in your mind you have these resources to draw on. For example, “We work together as a team. My contributions big or small make a difference.” It’s particularly valuable when the whole team is carrying the same messages and beliefs. 

SZ: In any sport there are calls missed by officials. Whether it’s in a  professional, Olympic or collegiate game things happen. What mental skills have you developed or acquired over the years to avoid letting those emotional moments on the field trip up your performance when the calls have gone against you or the team?

BC: My husband, (Jerry Smith head coach of Santa Clara U. women’s soccer), would be laughing to hear you ask me this question because I am a very emotional player. I’m a reactive player. I react to these kind of distractions in the heat of the moment. It was one of the biggest obstacles for me on the field to not allow those things to throw me off one way or the other. Two things helped me with this. One, was someone pointing out it out to me and two maturing. I was able to see that there was no positive end result in reacting. Coming to that realization myself, it’s like anything else, if someone says they want to quit smoking or lose weight until they are really ready to do those things it’s just not going to happen. That’s how it was for me. I didn’t want to let go of that emotional component because it was a part of who I was and how I played. I assume it was a part of what I thought of as playing with passion. Until I could take a step back and see that it was really a distraction for me, because it took too much time to regain my focus once I began reacting to the distraction. 

That was another exercise the sport psychologist gave to us. She gave us examples of other athletes who use a physical....

SZ: Symbolic physical releases.

BC: Yeah. The sport psychologist showed us what athletes use to refocus themselves after being distracted. The homework was to find something that had meaning and was useful to us individually. It didn’t mean sitting down, it was actively applied while on the field. We developed individual cues which was helpful because when my focus began to shift I now felt more in control that I could let go of the distraction and bring back my focus. 

SZ: Was the cue to take a breath, or pick a piece of grass and let it drop?

BC: Mine was tightening the hair band around my pony tail. I could do that while I was still on the field and participating in the game.

SZ: Many young athletes experience competitive anxiety. What advice do you have for young players who struggle with competitive anxiety?

BC: This is a tough one because I see it all the time and I think my words to young players are I remind them that even the best players in the world make mistakes. I’ve seen World Cup and Olympic Champions literally people who are the best examples of how to play the game, make mistakes. Along with that is just taking a deep breath and reminding young players that they’ve done whatever it is they are about to do a lot. They’ve practiced what I call the mental hurdles already. They’ve got to close their eyes and image themselves playing the way they want to be, not scared but seeing their best selves. Taking a breath and knowing that nothing bad is going to happen. If things don’t go perfectly, which it won’t, you can let go of that and get on with enjoying the challenge of being in the game.

SZ: Your involvement in soccer is all encompassing from playing the game at every level, coaching commentating for NBC sports and much more. In the future can you envision yourself involved owning a soccer team? If so what changes/adaptations to professional women’s soccer would you like to see?

BC: I wish I had the deep pockets to own a team. That would be a wonderful luxury and I would jump at the chance if I did have the opportunity to be involved in ownership. I would like to see the integration of men and women’s soccer so the leagues aren’t separate. That it’s just about the game and men can coach women and women can coach men.  Also influencing the professional league by having a system where younger players have young teams.

SZ: Like a farm league.

BC: Yeah, exactly. The team would be about coaching and teaching them the skills and maybe one day the young player would become a professional. But also that the players would enjoy learning the skills, team work, the psychology of sport, and how how it impacts things off the field.

SZ: Do you see similarities in your vision of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and how they are attached to the National Basketball Association (NBA). 

BC: There are a few women’s teams for the Major League Soccer (MLS), Seattle has a team, Vancouver has a team, Portland has a team. I think that’s going in the right direction. I’d like to see more of that. 

SZ: The Brandi Chastain Celebrity Soccer Challenge and Radio Disney Concert at the San Jose Municipal Stadium is coming up Sept. 22. Proceeds from the event will help to fund you non-profit ReachuP Foundation. Explain the motivation to create this foundation and its organizational goals.

BC: I helped found a non-profit Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative (BAWSI) and that organization services 3rd to 5th grade girls. ReachuP expands to the middle age group of young girls. The ages just before high school is a very vulnerable age. So the idea behind ReachuP and the website is to create an environment that is a positive place for girls. In that kind of vulnerable stage for girls where they can be themselves and ask silly questions or questions they might think are silly, or be around other girls who aren’t afraid to have their voice heard. They can influence each other in positive ways by showing all the good things they are doing in the community. Through the charity component we fund organizations to support their efforts. 

SZ: The website provides resources for parents and kids?

BC: Yes. I just think there’s a lot to be learned and not just about sports. The inspiration for the site was to give parents and kids of that in between age a component where they can ask questions. There is a section where they can ask a doctor any questions. Or maybe a parent is finding that their daughter isn’t talking to them, or hanging out with the wrong crowd. The site offers parents tips. It’s a way to bridge gaps that exist between parents and kids, or kids and other kids, or for young girls to ask questions about their body. 

SZ: What is the format for the Celebrity Soccer Challenge? Can you name some of the celebrities that will be on hand to participate?

BC: It’s a small sided game, probably 8 v 8. It will be played on a smaller field so hopefully there will be a lot of goals. Some of my former teammates from the national team Kristine Lilly and Julie Foudy, one of my teammates from the San Jose CyberRays and the Gold Pride, Sissi who was the captain and player of the year from Brazil.

Former San Jose Sharks hockey player Mike Ricci, and former 49er Joe Nedney are coming out to play as is Carrie Dew who played at on the Gold Pride when they won the championship. We are also holding a clinic beforehand with up to 100 kids that sign up. The celebrity soccer is followed by the Radio Disney Concert afterwards.

SZ: Your athletic career has gone through many transitions. Do you have any favorite quotes, tips or stories that have guided you over the years?

BC: Maybe I bought into sport psychology a long, long time ago due to my grandfather. At the time I didn’t know he was doing sport psychology on me but now I know that he actually was. When I was a kid and would score a goal he’d give me a dollar as a reward. “Congratulations you’ve scored a goal.” Then if I made an assist to a goal he would give me a dollar fifty. He taught me that giving is really important and that being a support system to someone elses success makes you successful too. That’s probably one lesson that if I could share any of the lessons I’ve ever learned, I think is critical to success. 

SZ: Is there anything you’d like to add?

BC: Two things come to mind. I hope people come out to the Brandi Chastain Celebrity Soccer Challenge and Radio Disney Concert because it’s a healthy environment for young girls and boys to participate in sports and see people enjoying themselves and getting the beautiful part of sports. My colleague Dr. Joan Oloff was a music major at NYC before becoming a podiatrist. She loves music and music is such a wonderful outlet to be excited and develop good memories. I love that we are having a concert for that reason. 

I also think it’s important for parents to remember that competition can be really, really health as long as it’s competition for the right reasons and not just about winning and losing. An eight year old is not going onto the World Championships in a year. So as parents if we can keep in perspective that for our children to enjoy sports is for them to be able to make mistakes, have losses and victories. To let the kids have their sports experience without us parents getting in the way is really important. 

SZ: Brandi thank you so taking time out of your very busy schedule to share your experiences. 

*Featured guests are not former nor current clients of Susan Zaro

*Photo credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

*This article can also be read @ examiner

Rosie Casal's - Esurance Tennis Classic

Rosie Casal’s long list of professional tennis accolades include her historic membership in the Original-9. During the1970’s nine women, one being Billie Jean King broke away from the established USLTA to start their own tour. The Virginia Slims tour was born in 1971 and two years later the WTA was established. The Virginia Slims tour set the stage for these professional women to develop financial sponsorships and determine their own prize money purses. The rest of that story speaks for itself in the continued success of the WTA today. In 1996 Casal’s was honored as an inductee into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Her playing accomplishments include winning 12 majors, and 112 doubles titles overall. 

Since retiring as a player Casal’s has run a company called Sportswoman, a group that puts on various sports and charity events for corporations. The next event, Esurance Tennis Classic will take place at the Harbor Point Tennis Club in Mill Valley, Sept 22 & 23. Proceeds of the celebrity tennis event will benefit the To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation, Youth Tennis Advantage, and Northern Light School. 

SZ: Over the course of your professional tennis career you won 112 doubles titles. If you were starting out as a player today which current tour player would compliment your style of play technically and mentally? 

RC: That is hard to relate because most player’s today don’t serve and volley. For competitiveness and aggressiveness I would compare myself to Serena Williams. For competitiveness and flare Francesca Schiavone, who loves to run down everything and always enjoys competing. I don’t think that there is a doubles server or volleyer at all in the game today that I can really compare myself to. Lisa Raymond who plays with Liezel Huber does a fairly good job of serving and volleying. I would say Raymond’s style of play and mine are similar from the point of view of serving and volleying. 

SZ: Would that compliment you? Teams often have a player who’s a terminator and the other who is the scrambler.

RC: It would from the point of view that the partner would be playing my style and I could better play with a partner who serves and volleys. Now mind you I played with Chris Evert and we won tournaments because her returns of serve were so good. She also got to net probably more than today’s player’s do.

SZ: That’s shocking to hear. You don’t think of Chris as a volleyer.

RC: That’s today’s style. We had a totally different style of play. We played on court surfaces that were much faster than today’s courts. During my playing days most of the the Grand Slams were played on grass. The tournament season began at the Australian 

Open which used to be played on grass. The French Open was the only time we would play on clay, and once we arrived in England for Wimbledon, it was grass and the U.S. Open was on grass. Serve and volley suited our style of play and growing up in California we played on cement which was a fast surface. Everything slowed down by the time Chris Evert came along. Grass court tournaments switched to hard court or clay and the game drastically changed. 

SZ: You partnered with Billie Jean King to win five Grand Slam doubles events. At times player’s have days where their mental game is not on track, their timing is off, their focus may be less intense. During those matches did you have conversations with each other in between points and on change overs that were useful?

RC: Of course. We depended on each other and that’s a team. If you are missing returns of serve or having problems with your shots you try to boost each other up. She said things like, “Just get the return back, it doesn’t have to be great, it doesn’t have to be a winner, but get the return.” From that point of view we helped one another stay in the match. The bottom line in doubles or a team situation is that you are always obviously trying to play your best together. One would have to hold the other player up until she could get her game on track. Billie was very resourceful and she would say, “We are going to win.” I believed her, we believed in one another. I think that was the most important thing. If you are a good team you have to believe in one another. You have to trust one another. That’s what we did very, very well, we believed in one another. Even if we were down in a match 5-0, 40-love and she said, “We are going to win.” I believed that and we were able to raise our game to the level where we would eventually win. 

SZ: You and Billie Jean King will always be remembered for gutsy tennis and pioneering

the WTA the first major sponsor being Virginia Slims. What lessons from that historical development of women’s professional tennis would you like to keep alive for future generations of female tour player’s?

RC: The lesson would be that if you stick together and you are a united front then you will accomplish a lot more than if you don’t. You need to have leadership and followers. I think leadership is the most important because in paving the way for women’s tennis we had to have a leader. Billie Jean was number one at the time. She was a good focal point. She was someone who could get information out to the media. She was someone that people could believe in. Even though at times because Billie was also competing and number one there was always a little bit of friction and conflict. Sometimes it’s not as easy in the player’s arena to convince them that this way is the right way but having some key player’s such as myself and others that were not number one that the players felt a little bit closer and could relate to - I think I helped in that way.

I look at history and see that no matter what player’s are fighting for they have to be together. Whether it’s a soccer looking for a league or the female basketball players. You have to have a leader and be able to stick together because that’s the only way you’re going to accomplish great things.

SZ: Do you find this is missing in women’s tennis now or has leadership shifted to player agents?

RC: It’s changed somewhat. If you recall and it may be eight years ago at this point that Venus Williams took the leadership role and rallied the women players to stick together in order to receive equal prize money at the Grand Slam events. Player’s banding together hadn’t been the case in a long while but it was obvious that by the women grouping together which is difficult these days because yes, you have agents, and the women are not as close as we were. We depended so much on each other during our times because we had to. It’s a little bit different now when player’s are making millions of dollars. But I was happy to see that the women made a statement and the stuck together. They remembered their history and I know that Venus is very close to the history of women players and Billie Jean King. She always acknowledges Billie and the ways that player’s have benefited from our era.

SZ: Do you see Venus and Serena as leaders?

RC: Absolutely. I do see them as leaders. They are well spoken and they understand the history of women’s tennis and where they’ve come from. As player’s they’ve been number one in the United States for over a decade. So, yes, I think the Williams sisters are very much leaders in our game. 

SZ: What experience, skills and support would you advise a player preparing to embark on a professional tennis career have before making the decision to turn pro in the modern era?

RC: Like anything else you have to be prepared. When you are young it’s all exciting and player’s think about money and sometimes are pushed into a professional career. I think everyone faces a time where they want to play professionally. But it’s not going to be easy. Things are tough and more competitive now. The Challenger Tour is very, very strong and only the top 350 women on the tour make a living playing.

Young player’s will have their hard knocks but if they are really good they are going to make it. A player has to make the commitment to put themselves out and say “I want to be the best” and if a player wants to be the best she needs to compete with and beat the best.  Along with this have a  good attitude and be competitive because that’s what it takes to be the top and play in the pro’s. They are going to have losses and need to be able to pick herself back up and say, “I can do this.” 

SZ: You currently run a company called Sportswoman, a group that puts on various sports and charity events for corporations. The popular Esurance will be held at the Mill Valley Harbor Point Tennis Club, Sept. 22 & 23rd. Proceeds from the event will benefit To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation, Youth Tennis Advantage and Northern Light School. What other upcoming events is Sportswoman involved with this year that we should know about?

RC: We’ve just begun working on Billie Jean King & Friends. Billie’s alma mater is Cal State Los Angeles and we are in the process of celebrating our 15th anniversary of raising money for the athletic scholarship program and the women’s tennis team. Two years ago Cal State University named the sports complex after Billie Jean. Our new task in the future is to raise about 2.5 million for the tennis facility to be built. Billie would  like to name it after myself and Pancho Gonzales who was a native of East L.A. 

SZ: What a great honor.

RC: Well I think so. I like that it will be named after Pancho Gonzales who has never really received the recognition that he deserved because he came way before tennis was so popular. I hope this will pay tribute to what he accomplished. I played mixed doubles with him at Wimbledon which was a great honor.

SZ: Each year the Esurance Event draws an amazing group of player’s. This year tennis fans will enjoy watching the Bryan Brothers who have recently returned from London winning gold in men’s doubles, three time Grand Slam winner Lindsay Davenport, seventeen time Grand Slam Doubles winning Gigi Fernandez, Six time Grand Slam doubles winner Rennae Stubbs and others. The format for the event has changed to World Cup Team Challenge, USA versus The World. Explain how this year’s format is different and how it will enhance the tournament viewing for spectators.

RC: What’s different this year is even though we’ve always had international player’s playing in the World Team Tennis format, this year is going to take on a Davis Cup/Fed Cup format. We are setting the stage for USA vs. The World. We’ve invited both men and women international players who will compete against the USA player’s. With the Byran brother’s it should be really fun and an event the crowd can get behind. We will still use team tennis scoring with no add, short sets and super tie-breakers. 

SZ: You’ve participated in and seen dramatic changes in the sports world through-out the years. Do you have any favorite quotes, stories, or tips that have guided your successes in life?

RC: Fighting for what you believe in. We had the stage during a very special era where women were supposed to have a family, raise a family, stay home. Women were not encouraged to think about earning a living, pursuing sports, Title IX wasn’t there to support them. The 60’s and 70’s were a unique time when so much happened for women. What we brought to the table and focus on for women’s sports has done a lot for women, in business, in the home and it created a new way of looking at women. Prior to 1972 there was no Title IX and I think Title IX was the key to women excelling because it gave athletic scholarships. That was the first time a woman could dream of playing a sport or being an attorney or Dr. and having the same opportunities as the men. The times were special and we were able to do a lot of things because of the times. 

SZ: Rosie thank you for taking the time out of your very busy schedule for this interview.

*Pictures are from Getty Images

*Featured guests are not current nor former clients of Susan Zaro

*This article may also be read @ the examiner

Liezel Huber - Doubles Specialist

Tennis doubles specialist Liezel Huber holds the current number one doubles ranking on the WTA tour with Lisa Raymond. Over the course of her career Huber has etched her name deeply in the history books excelling in her professional role. Huber is the distinguished title holder of being ranked number one for the second most weeks in women’s doubles history. In the next few days Huber will partner with another doubles specialist, Lisa Raymond to represent the United States at the Olympics in London.

Huber was born in Durham, South Africa and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2007. During her career Huber has won fifty-two doubles titles including five Grand Slams and three WTA Championships. In 2009 Huber successfully teamed up with Bob Bryan to win the mixed doubles at the French Open and in 2010 at the U.S. Open. Prior to partnering with Lisa Raymond in 2011 Huber won four Grand Slam titles with Cara Black from Zimbabwe. 

SZ: What age did you begin playing tennis? Who introduced you to the sport and what opportunities did that person provide to open the doors to your future as a tennis pro?

LH: I probably always had a racket in my hand. My twin sister and I were 6 weeks old when my mom played her first league match again. We were next to the court! My parents both played. My grandfather and uncle were avid players. For sure it was my mom's influence that opened the doors to my career! My sister and I took our first lessons at age 5.

SZ: You left your home in South Africa at 15 to attend the Dennis Van Der Meer Tennis Academy in Hilton Head, South Carolina. How many years did you train at the Van Der Meer Academy? What training and insights did you gain during the time you lived at the Academy that help you as a professional?

LH: I trained at Van Der Meers for 4 years on and off while playing junior tournaments and pursuing my pro career in the satellite and challenger events. At Van der Meer we spent 6 hours a day on court. I needed that! 

SZ: Who are/were your athletic role models? What qualities do you admire about them? Are there any of these qualities you have taken on and applied to your own life? 

LH: I have a huge respect for all professional athletes. They are so dedicated, disciplined and have huge goals. That is inspiring to me. I admire the natural athlete and the self made athlete. I am the self made one, not all the talent, but worked really hard. Everything I do I try to give 100%. 

SZ: Your doubles partnership with Cara Black is regarded as one of the greatest women’s doubles teams in history. When you partner with someone over a lengthy period of time how do you plan out the tournament schedule? Do you negotiate a calendar date to sit down and discuss your goals as a team technically/strategically/physically?  How far in advance does the team decide these things? 

LH: A partnership with another doubles player (specialist) is much simpler, than someone that plays singles too. The schedule becomes simpler when you only play doubles. You decide together. It's that simple. We don't play week after week anymore like we did when we started on the tour. Having a week off is very valuable. We know our schedule at the end of each year for the next year. 

SZ: When a doubles partnership continues for an extended period of time what do teams do to keep the game and the doubles relationship fresh so both players skills grow and you remain engaged in the team process?

LH:  I think what keeps a partnership fresh and keeps me as an individual motivated, is reinventing my game as I go along. Tweaking my game by adding a shot, improving my serve and adding some plays as a team. 

SZ: Do you travel with a coach full-time? What are the duties of the coach? 

LH: Yes, my husband coaches me. We have been married for 12 years. He has coached me on and off for most of that time! He knows me best. He can tell just by looking at me what I am feeling at that time. He knows my strengths and weaknesses. It hasn't always been easy having a dual relationship, but we have made it worked nicely. 

SZ: Lisa Raymond and you are partnered to represent the United States in the 2012 Olympics in London. Depending on the draw which teams will be the biggest challenge and why? Besides playing in the event what are you looking forward to as an Olympic Athlete? If you have time to watch other events what will you go and see?

LH: We are extremely excited to represent Team USA in the Olympics! We don't look ahead in any competition and this will be no different. I love my Team USA apparel! I look forward to the opening ceremony (marching of the athletes) and meeting my fellow team mates! I love exchanging pins and try to find the very rare ones. We are there to compete, so I highly doubt we will have time to see other events except for tennis.

SZ:  Are you retiring from professional touring in the next few years? What are you looking forward to during retirement that you haven’t been able to do while playing professionally?

LH: Of course retirement is nearing. You can't play professional forever! I look forward to becoming a mother, God willing. I look forward to spending time on court at Huber Tennis Ranch. We have a big program with many aspiring young players. I also look forward to taking vacations in our motor home!

SZ: What are your hopes/expectations for American women’s tennis in the next 3-5 years? Do you envision the Huber Tennis Ranch as playing a role in developing American tennis? 

LH: America has a lot of strong, talented, up and coming female players. They are already shining and will continue to rise on the rankings. I hope Huber Tennis Ranch will play a role in developing players for sure! We have 15 Quick Start courts. We even have a beach volley court too! 

SZ: After Hurricane Katrina in 2005 you began a charity, Liezel’s Cause, to help the families that relocated in Houston in the aftermath of the massive flooding from Katrina. You receive much praise and appreciation for your charitable involvement. How has your charitable involvement broadened your life? 

LH: I am not very active right now in my charitable causes. I have a lot on my plate and think it's unfair if I can't give 100%. We still do food can drives, cereal drives, toy drives and give back to the community whenever we can. I love helping people! We teach our kids at Huber Tennis Ranch to give back. 

SZ:  Do you have a favorite quote or story that has guided you on your professional path?

LH: Celebrate the good and the bad times. Enjoy the good times, because there will be bad times ahead. Enjoy the bad times, because that is how we learn! I celebrate both!

SZ: Liezel thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat. July 28th tennis begins at the Olympics in London soon followed by the 2012 U.S. Open beginning August 27th in New York.

*Photo credits to Julian Finney/Getty Images (Raymond & Huber defeated Mirza & Vesnina in the WTA Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship Feb. 2012).

*Featured guests are not current nor former clients of Susan Zaro

*This article can also be read @ examiner

Keith Wilbur - SCU Water Polo

Keith Wilbur stepped in as the Santa Clara University men’s and women’s water polo coach in 2002. In 2006 he became the all time most successful men’s water polo coach and surpassed the 100 wins mark in 2008. Wilbur began his coaching career as the boys varsity water polo coach at Menlo School. Wilbur is a graduate of Princeton University. As a player he was a team captain his senior year, leading the Tigers defensively to three Ivy League Championships. Wilbur was also a member of the U.S. National Team in 1997-98 and competed at the l997 World University Games in Sicily, Italy. 

SZ: In 2002 you took over the coaching job at Santa Clara University. In 2006 you achieved the honor of becoming the most successful men’s water polo coach in the university’s history. What have been the staples of your coaching success? What are some of the changes you’ve brought to this program that got it rolling?

KW: In terms of being the winningest coach, I think that has mostly to do with longevity.  I really like Santa Clara University, and I made a commitment to be here for the long term when I was hired.  I have been very active recruiting since my first day here, and I think that change probably had the most impact.  Other changes have been more gradual, from lifting weights on a year around basis, running workouts in the off season, and creating a club program over the summer to give the athletes more opportunities to play.  As we have improved, I have challenged the teams with a tougher strength of schedule every year, and I think they have benefitted a lot from playing high level competition.

Another huge change for us was the construction of the Sullivan Aquatic Center. About four years ago, Jack and Joanie Sullivan donated the money for this pool and it has made a huge difference for us.  We went from having a non-regulation, too shallow, too short, and too narrow of a pool to having one of the best facilities to play college water polo.  Practices are better, recruits are more interested, and we play 10-15 home games a year whereas we used to average about 2 home games a year.

SZ: Highlights of your athletic playing career include playing for Princeton University, being on the U.S. National Team (1997-98), and competing at the 1997 World University Games in Italy. What useful experiences in training and playing have you brought into your collegiate coaching role?

KW: I learned a lot from the different coaches that I have had from high school to club to college to National teams.  I have definitely drawn lessons from the best coaches I had, but I also learned from negative experiences I had with other coaches, and I try not to do the same as them.  Tim Hugar was the coach at Princeton my freshman year, and he was the best coach I ever had in terms of getting the team psyched up to play games.  I just remember his pre-game talks, and by the time we hit the water, everybody was so amped up to compete.  I felt like we exceeded our potential in every game we played that year.  Paul Nelson was the coach at Princeton my last two years.  I really like the strategies that he taught, and the relationships he developed with the players.  I think there is a fine line to being a coach where your players can like you, but also need to respect you.  Paul was able to balance the two very well.  I also thought he was great at identifying his player’s strengths and putting them in the best situations to excel.  

SZ: As coach of both the men’s and women’s teams how would you describe the mental/emotional difference of coaching/communicating with players? Is there a noticeable difference?

KW: I am asked this question a lot and I definitely notice a difference coaching the men and women. I truly enjoy coaching both teams and regardless of gender there are many different personalities with all the player’s. I really like the challenge of figuring out the best coaching approach for each personality and how to get those personalities to mesh well to work as a team. I find need to talk more when I coach the women. Whether it’s constructive help or positive feedback, they like to know what I am thinking and how they are doing. If I am not doing this they feel ignored. The men do not desire as much constant feedback. If I let them go without saying much, they usually assume they are playing well until I point something out.

SZ: Besides a player possessing athletic skill what are the clues you look for that demonstrate a player will be a good fit for the team dynamic?

KW: Outside of athletic skill I look for work ethic, responsibility, intelligence, competitiveness, maturity, the ability to work well with others and leadership. 

SZ: What types of team building exercises do you set up for the player’s to promote team chemistry?

KW: I have been fortunate to have a sport psychology consultant, Adam Saucedo work with both programs and he does a lot of these type of team building exercises. Adam started with us three years ago as part of his final project for his Master’s, and now works with over half the teams at Santa Clara U. One of my favorite exercises that he does each week with our team is having every player stand up and pick a teammate that they appreciate and explain why. This is not something I expected my player’s would buy into right away, but they were totally into it. I think it is a great skill to be able to recognize another person for a job well done. It also means a lot to receive that recognition from a teammate. I find this exercise really opens up communication between player’s, motivates them to work hard for each other and builds our team chemistry. 

SZ: What are your duties as a coach during the summer months? Is there down time or is it recruiting time?

KW: In water polo we are actually allowed to run club teams over the summer that include our college players.  Most college teams in California also have summer club teams, and we have practice throughout the summer and play in a league with games most weekends.  I run practices from 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at night, so the players can still get summer jobs and internships that work with our schedule.

I also do a lot of recruiting over the summer.  There are lots of club tournaments with great opportunities to see players from all over the country.  The biggest summer tournament is Junior Olympics, and it is a four-day event for the boys, and then another four days for the girls.  Every year I camp out at JO’s, watch about 10 games a day and see a ton of players.  This year Stanford is hosting JO’s, so I do not have to travel very far.  Boys JO’s are July 28-31, and Girls JO’s are Aug. 2-5.

SZ: You have a very busy schedule what do you do to recharge your energy to avoid burn-out? 

KW: This may sound funny but I still like to play water polo. I find playing is a great break from coaching. I have a master’s group called BAM and we practice a couple of times a week. I usually go with them to a couple of tournaments a year. My master’s team has asked me to coach them, but I refuse because it is my break from coaching and I really just want to play. I just returned from a World Master’s tournament in Italy and had a great time. I feel totally recharged for coaching and recruiting this summer. 

SZ: Do you have any favorite quotes, stories, tips that have guided you on your path to success as a water polo coach?

KW: I have read a lot of books and quotes by John Wooden, and I really like his approach and the life lessons that he taught while coaching. I also feel that I benefitted a lot from coaching all levels.  Right after I graduated from college, I came back and coached my high school (Menlo School) junior varsity team, then the varsity team, then club teams, and then college.  I learned every step of the way, and I am still learning.  

SZ: Keith thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule for this interview.

Go Broncos!

*This article can also be read @ The Examiner
*Featured guests are not former nor current clients of Susan Zaro

Tim Hanley - Houston Dynamo's

Houston Dynamo’s assistant coach Tim Hanley has coached in Major League Soccer for 13 seasons and in American soccer for more than 20 years. Over the years Hanley coached three Goalkeeper of the Year winners in a four-year spread  from 2002-2005. Hanley worked in MLS with the San Jose Clash and San Jose Earthquakes and has coached in the A-League, in the Premier Development League, and at Stanford University (2002-2005).

As a player, Hanley participated for six seasons in the United States and the United Kingdom. He began his professional playing career with the Blackpool and Coventry City in England, later returning to the United States to play in the North American Soccer League. He played with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, San Jose Earthquakes and Golden Bay Earthquakes.

SZ: Besides the obvious, keeping the opponents kicks from going through the goal posts, what’s a goalies job description?

TH: The modern goalkeeper is pretty much today’s quarterback in football. His job is to organize and command the entire field.

SZ: What are the top 3-4 mental physical qualities of successful goalies?

TH: Absolute mental toughness and the physical attributes of a NFL Defensive back. Size is important now. Technology has changed the equipment forcing a change in the athlete. Leadership capability. The position is like a sports version of a Navy Seal.

SZ: You began playing goalie at age fourteen. Did the role come naturally to you or did you have coaches that opened up your awareness to help you become a force as a goalie?

TH: Growing up I played every sport imaginable, wrestling, track, baseball, volleyball and basketball. I played football my freshman and sophomore years in high school and ran track-cross country. There were no mentors or coaches for a sport that was so new at the time in the United States. I sought out resources to learn on my own. I felt that the goalkeeper position combined everythingI liked in every other sport.

SZ: What helped you gain awareness as a goalie in ways that enhanced your skill development?

TH: Back in the late 60’s and early 70’s there were no soccer coaches per say. I watched a PBS show called “Soccer made in Germany” that was on one night a week for an hour. I watched and tried to emulate the actions of a few of the goalkeepers. 

SZ: What is the role of a goalie coach? Your season is very long. How do you stay sharp and motived through-out the season?

TH: My daily work involves the entire team day to day but my ultimate responsibility is the goalkeepers. Our training sessions reflect the long and arduous regular season. We take time off, play games that are not related to soccer and then play games that are specific to the match environment. 

SZ: How were the San Jose Earthquakes connected to the current Houston Dynamo’s?

TH: The ownership group in San Jose felt that they could not get a stadium built so they moved the team to Houston after the 2005 season. The Earthquakes name, logo, and statistics were not transferred and remained inactive in San Jose until 2007 when the Earthquakes were reactivated. The Houston Dynamo’s officially became a new team.

SZ: The Dynamo’s have moved into the new beautiful BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston. Does this mean that soccer is on the rise as a spectator sport? 

TH: Houston is the fourth largest city in the U.S. The Earthquakes were moved to Houston in 2005 because of the stadium possibility. When the Dynamo’s moved to Houston the club originally played home games at Robertson Stadium on the University of Houston campus. The club moved to BBVA Compass Stadium during the 2012 MLS season. MLS has always felt that it is vital for each team to have it’s own soccer specific venue. Soccer in the U.S. is growing but I do not feel it will eclipse the top four sports, NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL. Those sports are some of the big guns because of their T.V. deals.

SZ: The Dynamo’s playing schedule runs from Feb - Nov. As a coach how do you help the goalies stay mentally engaged, motivated yet manage their rest and recovery periods during that long stretch? How many days off do player’s typically have during a week?

TH: Our schedule actually runs from Feb. through Nov. with the final in December. We play at least once a week for the most part and have stretches where we play a lot games. A few weeks ago we played four games in eleven days. The MLS schedule calls for thirty-two games. In addition we have ten reserve matches, US Open Cup matches,  Concacaf Champions League and friendlies-exhibitions. We will play close to 50 games not including the reserve matches. We qualified for the CCL matches because we made the MLS Cup Final last year. CCL home and away in Mexico and El Salvador in the 1st rounds. 

We have to manage not only the players mental state but their bodies as well. I try and keep things light and in perspective. Our work reflects the players current state of mind and their physical capacities. There are days when we just do light ball work without ever diving or jumping around. By the end of the season there are a lot of keepers around the league whose keeper coaches have them flying around all season and their performances suffer. We joke around, have silly exercises and do a few things off the field.

SZ: Is there a specific training protocol that the player’s are exposed to to aid their performance?

TH: We do some film/video work with the keeper’s breaking down situations and the decisions that were made. Goalkeepers are inevitably going to make mistakes be embarrassed etc. So we keep it light, make sure they can laugh at themselves. Everything is brought out in the open. Part of my job is to see that they can recover immediately after making an error. We cannot afford to have a keeper stuck on what just happened in a match.

SZ: What advice do you have for up and coming player’s aspiring to become professional soccer goalies or play professional soccer. How challenging is it to be a successful player in this game?

TH: I am one of those that believe professional athletes are born not made. Your genetic package will determine a great deal of your success in sports. Combine the physical attributes with passion and playing a sport at the professional level is possible. I have always felt that in America, if one can play a sport that allows them to leverage themselves into a college that otherwise they would not have been able to attend; then they have done something right.

SZ: Tim thank you for making time in your very busy schedule for this interview. 

Go Dynamo’s!

*Featured guests are not former nor current clients of Susan Zaro

*This article can also be read @ www.examiner.com