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Thursday, May 1, 2008
Having a Ball
Greater Reading, PA
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Holy Name soccer coach Steve Miller has a lot on his plate. Last season, he wrapped up his fourth year as the boy’s coach and is currently in his third season as the girl’s coach. He also recently started a new career, bringing High School Sports The Magazine to Berks County. As publisher and coach, we figured it was time to turn the tables on him and talk soccer.
HSSTM: Where did you get an interest in soccer?
Miller: I played as a youth and for a couple of years in high school before focusing
on my hockey career.
HSSTM: How long have you been coaching soccer and what type of sport specific training have you participated in?
Miller: I’ve been coaching at the club, premier or high school level for about 10 years. Like a lot of coaches, I attend clinics as often as I can, and I also have the NSCAA National diploma.
HSSTM: What do you try to instill in your players?
Miller: There are a few things I try to instill in the players. First: soccer is a team sport and we play as a team. We don't "showcase" any one player. Second: character, on and off the field, is what counts. Third: respect for teammates, coaches, officials, opponents, and the game itself. Everything we do, we try to do with class.
HSSTM: What challenges do you think you face in soccer that are different from other team sports?
Miller: I think the biggest challenge I face at a smaller school is that many of our players are terrific athletes who play soccer, but not necessarily soccer players. Many will touch a soccer ball on the first day of the high school season and then put it away after
our last game. When we compete against some of the larger schools, their
teams consists of soccer players who are playing year round.
HSSTM: What's your record as a coach?
Miller: Boys, first year 1-15. Second year 7-11-1. Third year 16-11 and we were a Berks Quarter Finalist, District semi-finalist and State Semi finalist. Fourth Year 14-8-1
and a District semi-finalist and State Quarter finalist.
Girls, first year 8-8. Second year 9-8-1 and a Berks quarter finalist and districts 1st
round, and this year we are currently 5-5-5 and looking for another district spot.
HSSTM: Aside from the obvious, what is the difference coaching boys vs. girls?
Miller: I enjoy coaching both the guys and the girls. I think with the
girls, they can let things go a little quicker. Once a game is over, it's
over, no matter what the outcome was. With the guys, if they have a tough
game where the game didn't go our way, they tend to show up to the next
practice with a little bit more fire.
HSSTM: How has your coaching style evolved over the years?
Miller: I think my coaching style has pretty much stayed the same. I try to treat
everyone the same, no matter if you're a starter or someone who gets limited
playing time. This is only high school soccer and I do my best to make it
fun whether we're winning or loosing...although winning helps with the fun.
I also think I have toned down my intensity a little, probably more so with
the girls than the guys.
HSSTM: You've done a lot of diverse things in your career? Can you give us a brief background?
Miller: I've always been a sports guy. Growing up, hockey was my main sport and
because of it had the opportunity to play overseas and of course in Canada.
My career ended with a brief stint with the Quebec Ramparts of the Quebec
Major Junior Hockey League. My love for soccer reignited when after several
failed attempts to get my son on the ice. He gravitated instead to soccer
which got me back on the pitch.
HSSTM: Any advice on getting recruited?
Miller: Be proactive. Don't wait for a college coach to find you. Contact as many college coaches at the colleges in which you're interested and stay active in the process. In soccer, most kids don't get recruited from their high school team, but rather from their
premier or elite club team. Only about five percent of high school players get the
opportunity to play at the collegiate level. Be realistic. Visit college web sites
and look at the biographies of their players and see if you have the
physical characteristics and the competitive characteristics to compete at
the college level.
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