Workshop Slated for Youth Soccer Coaches

Jul 20, 2009
Area youth soccer coaches can learn from experienced university coaches and professors in a clinic on Saturday, August 1, at The University of Scranton. The workshop will cover the essentials of good coaching, good sportsmanship and developing character through sports, as well as techniques for teaching soccer skills.

The workshop will take place from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the Long Center and Fitzpatrick Field. The course will cover the principles of positive coaching, motivation, fostering confidence, team building, safety and first aid, and character development through sport. The workshop will also include lecture and demonstration of practice drills and techniques for teaching passing, shooting dribbling, and more advanced soccer skills.
The workshop is being organized by Steve Klingman, a former soccer player at Ithaca College and the Syracuse Suns and successful college and high school soccer coach. Klingman, who serves associate director of athletics at The University of Scranton, coached the men’s soccer team at Scranton from 1973 to 1994. During his tenure as head coach, the team had eight Middle Atlantic Conference Championships and two Division III National Championship appearances. As head coach for boys’ soccer at Abington Heights High School from 2005 to 2008, the team had an overall record of 61-1-1.
 
In addition to Klingman, other coaches participating are Matt Pivirotto, head coach for men’s soccer at The University of Scranton; Colleen Murphy, head coach for women’s soccer at The University of Scranton; Chris Davis, Ph.D., head coach for men’s soccer at Baptist Bible College and head coach for girls’ soccer at Abington Heights High School; and Eileen Sodano, women’s soccer at The University of Scranton and assistant coach for girl’s soccer at North Pocono High School. Faculty instructors teaching coaching essentials are, David Black, Ph.D., professor of philosophy at The University of Scranton; Tomm Evans, chair of the English Department at North Pocono High School and former University of Scranton head coach for swimming; Paul Cutrufello, assistant professor of exercise science and sport at The University of Scranton, and Jack O’Malley, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at The University of Scranton.
 
The workshop, organized by The University of Scranton’s Athletics Department, Psychology Department and the Bochicchio Sport Character Initiative steering committee, honors the memory of Joe Bochicchio, the veteran women’s soccer coach at The University of Scranton who passed away in 2007.
 
The participation fee of $25 includes lunch and the online American Sport Education Program course “Coaching Youth Soccer.” The registration deadline is July 28.  For additional information or to register, call 941-7440 or email maguiree3@scranton.edu.
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