EVOLUTION OF A PLAYER

How Walter helped to successfully develop a player they told to "not bother playing"

UPDATE: Eric's Azusa Pacific Soccer Team just won the 2007 NAIA National Championship.

LETTER FROM ERIC'S PARENTS

Your coaching, above everything, has had the most impact on Eric's success in soccer. Through the development of his skills, confidence, and mental toughness, he has risen to the top echelons in club, high school and college soccer.

I don't know if you remember the circumstances when you first started coaching Eric. He would soon be trying-out for the West Coast Boys U11 team. You taught him how to show in try-outs, and how to deal with the dirty players on the field. More importantly, you got into his head. You gave him the skills and the confidence to rise above the competition.

About two years later, Eric was at a crisis point when he developed "leg fatigue syndrome." His playing time went from full games to less than fifteen minutes. At the end of the season, his coach told him not to bother come for try-outs out for the next season. With just three weeks of much needed rest and again, your coaching, he came into try-outs and outperformed everyone on the field. By the end of the season Eric was the team captain. No other event I have witnessed in Eric impressed me more than that display of character.

Throughout the club soccer season, both Sherry and I could spot the players you had trained just by observing your unique style in handling the ball. One of the legacies Eric leaves at his high school is his style of playing, which was adopted by many of the other players.

Eric is at the top of his game, but I know there are many more aspects of the game you could teach him. I hope you two can reconnect in the future.

Here is an updated letter recently sent form his parents:

Walter, Eric finished his second year as a starter at Azusa Pacific. His team won the 2007 NAIA National Chamionship. In addition to the championship trophy, Eric was selected to the all-tournament team. Also from NAIA, he was named as an All-American Honorable Mention, and to NAIA Region II All-Region team. In GSAC (Golden State Athletic Conference) he was selected for the all-conference team. Currently, he is the assistant varsity coach for Glendora High School who have won their first three games.

Click here to read Eric's college profile for the Azusa Pacific team (2007 NAIA National Champions)