CBC Soccer 2012 State Champions Journey: Building Confidence and Team Unity

1. CBC SOCCER 2012 STATE CHAMPIONS

3. Pre-Planning • It has ALWAYS been my approach to plan for the current year at the conclusion of the previous year – while everyone and everything is fresh in my mind. • However, 2012 was going to be different due to the players’ choice of playing High School or Academy (club) soccer. So, NO pre-planning – ……….. wait and see what shows up!! ……….

4. 2012 Start-up Points • Leave the ‘egos’ behind • Realize that everyone of us can get better • Work hard to make this the best team that it can be • Take pride in representing the rich tradition of CBC Soccer • Let the end of the year tell the story of the year

5. First Day Disaster • Roll call first day of tryouts --- • 10 NO SHOWS --- 8 Academy, 1 concussion, 1 early ’retirement’ • The absolute WORST first day in my 42 years at CBC Soccer ….. and I told the boys that …. In no uncertain terms • Day 2 was better – it had to be !

6. The Plan - Goals • Every team, with the exception of Chaminade, lost players to the Academy. No one lost as many as we did (8) - (we got 1 back) • So we decided our goal for the year would be: …………. Be the best of the rest ………… • and if, we got a shot at Chaminade down the road, to beat them.

7. Along The Way • In looking at our schedule, we had 24-26 games in a 38 day period – very demanding. • We decided to rotate players for week-day games and play the best team on the weekend games. • This allowed everyone to play, contribute and build our depth. • We also decided that playing Futsal would speed our player development

8. Road Bumps • It was the 4th and 5th games of the year when we lost 2 key players – senior captains Xhovani and Joe through injury. • We still had a grind ahead of us – we needed everyone to step up and contribute • We finished 2nd in the CYC Tournament • We played in the Gateway Classic against good teams from Colorado, New York and Las Vegas and we won our bracket, without X and Joe !!

9. Teambuilding • During that time we went 10 – 2, and won 1 Championship and finished 2nd in another. • Different players made big differences at different times. • The TEAM concept was growing stronger !!

10. Mind Games • Visualization: • You must see yourself doing well, being successful, and then you replay that over and over. Build confidence, eliminate doubt • Throughout the year, we continued to reinforce this idea over and over through emails and daily meetings

11. Mind Games (2) • If you think you’re beaten, you are • If you think that you dare not, you don’t • If you’d like to win, but think you can’t • It’s almost certain you won’t • If you think you’ll lose, you’ve lost • For out in the world you’ll find • Success begins with a fellow’s will • It’s all in the state of mind

12. Mind Games (3) • Life’s battles don’t always go • To the stronger or faster man • But sooner or later the man who wins • Is the man who thinks he can • Like our beliefs and attitudes, our thinking can be a powerful ally. How we think affects how we feel, and how we feel affects how we perform

13. Mindset • Throughout the year, we built 3 important concepts into our approach: • ….. Belief ….. Character ….. Team ….. • We believed in each other and that somehow we would come through .. • The characterkept us fighting until the last minutes (Vianney, Marquette).. • And the team concept was that anyone could make a difference

14. Mindset (2) • Belief - the foundation of confidence and the ability to unlock that which holds you back – taking on tough tasks • Character: the never-say-die attitude -- the ability to see challenges as opportunity to achieve and reach deep within yourself • Team: Together Everyone Achieves More The glue that brings it all together

15. Defining Moment • vsDeSmet at DeSmet (Oct. 9) • Just lost back-to-back games …….. vs St. Dominic and Jeff City … (0-1, 0-2) …. (14 – 4 – 1) record up to that point • 11 – 1 – 0 (record after that game: 25-5-1))

16. Championships • We played for 6 championships this year: • We finished 2nd in the MCC Conference • 2nd in the CYC Tournament • 1st in the CBC Tournament • 1st in the Gateway Classic • 1st in District Tournament (toughest District!) • 1st in State Tournament

17. Crunch Time • Seeded 2nd in District behind Marquette meant that we would play an always tough DeSmet team in the first round – DeSmet always builds for the post-season • The winner to get Marquette – a very dangerous team with a prolific scorer.

18. Bounce • Marquette was a test of character - we were up 2-0 at half and 4 min into the 2nd half they scored … and scored again 10 min later – game tied and momentum to them. We came back with 2 late goals to win! • Vianney was also a test of character. Game tied 1–1 at half – Vianney scores late on a deflection with 7 min to play to take the lead and end our season… BUT, WE ANSWER BACK WITH 2 GOALS TO WIN THE GAME IN THE LAST MINUTES.

19. The Mental Edge • By winning our District, we then played a difficult Lafayette team, who played with nothing to lose – the pressure was on us to win!! • Then Vianney – for the 4th time this year – they had not beaten us all year and now we had to win 1 more to advance – • It became a battle of belief vs hope ---- belief won out!!

21. The Thrilling Conclusion • We managed to stay ranked #2 all year …. Be the best of the rest • And, in the final game, we got to play Chaminade for the State Championship…. and we won !! • We became the team nobody wanted to play, because we seemed to have 9 lives

22. How Did It Happen? • Good leadership within the team • Good organizational plan • Everyone bought into the plan and contributed • We, the boys and coaches, built a team • We managed to work through different and difficult periods of the season with belief • We won games in many different ways

23. The Road to Paradise • DeSmet ….. #5 … Defending State Champs • Marquette .. #3 … most dangerous forward • Lafayette …. NR .. Upset-minded, well-coached • Vianney ……. #6 … for the 4th time this year • Rockhurst … #2 in KC .. The best of the West • Chaminade.. #1 … top team all year - #6 USA

24. Take-Away • There are never any guarantees in sports • No game is won until the final moment is over • You can lose any game that you do not properly prepare to win • Winning is a result of good practice and confidence

25. Take-Away (2) • With patience, togetherness, a belief system and good leadership, it is possible to achieve at a level higher than anticipated. • Talent Is Never Enough!! • Talent PLUS ….. Belief ………. Preparation Character ….. Practice Team ……….. Perseverance • Talent Plus allows you to OVERPERFORM

26. Take-Away (3) • The fact that this team continued to improve and grow throughout the season • Being at our best when it mattered the most • Winning as a TEAM with Belief and Character • This was a season of destiny

27. Final Thoughts • This season was very special for many reasons: • Overcoming the various obstacles : • Losing players to the Academy • Losing key players for long periods of time • Tough, demanding schedule with game after game against quality opponents It’s not what happens to you that counts, it’s how you deal with what happens that’s what counts!!

28. Final Thoughts (2) • The unbelievable difficult post-season path • 5 of the 6 teams we played in the post- season were potential State Champions • To be the best ….. you’ve got to beat the rest

29. Final Thoughts (3) • Every game was a test of and a testament to your character • Everyone contributed something ……… 21 different starting lineups this year • Belief… Character … Team … Chemistry

30. CBC SOCCER 2012 STATE CHAMPIONS 25 -5 -1 Who’da thunk it Don’t stop believing