As I stepped out of my mom’s mini van, I immediately wondered what I was getting myself into. There were at least 50 boys, all bigger than me, running with their shirts off. Sure, I had played soccer before, but never like this.

Walking onto the field, I immediately heard the loudest, most intimidating voice my ears had ever been exposed to. As I looked up in fright, my stomach dropped; this was the goalkeeper coach that I was supposed to spend the season training with.

However, as the season went on, I began to get used to his ‘tough love’ style of coaching. His voice helped me to truly internalize his criticisms and make sure to correct them. I did all I could to keep his earth-shaking voice quiet, and it truly worked.

I have worked with numerous goalkeeper coaches with many philosophies about the position, but none were able to shape me as an athlete like he was.

By my junior year, I had grown to love his intense style of coaching and built a close bond with him that stretched past on the field activities, and gave me valuable insight about life after high school and taught me a lot about what it means to be mentally tough.

Then one day last fall, he approached me after our last practice before Sections play. His suddenly soft tone indicated that something was wrong.

He told me this had to be his last year of coaching, and my heart dropped.

What would soccer be like without this coach, this mentor, this friend, in my corner? I understood that it was the best thing for his health, but at the same time I didn’t understand how he could leave the program.

After a long period of disappointment I finally came to terms with his decision this summer.

Though the St. Louis Park Boys’ Soccer program will not be the same without him, his absence gives me the chance to step into a greater leadership role in the team.

Without a goalkeeper coach, I am tasked with running drills and giving pointers to the other goalies.

I am responsible for passing the great knowledge of the position I gained from this legendary coach on to the next generation of Park goalkeepers.