Proud Accomplishments Salem High School: Head Boys Coach 1997 – 2005 •        2-time Region 8-AAAA Champion •        3-time quarterfinalist •        GASCA AAAA Coach of the Year 2004 •        Atlanta Journal-Constitution AAAA Coach of the Year 2004 •        Rockdale Citizen Area Coach of the Year 2004, 2005 •        GASCA AAAA Coach of the Month 2005 •        Over 100 high school wins Question: What advice would you give to young players entering high school who want to play soccer for their high   school team?   Although my advice would differ a bit based on the high school, my number one recommendation would have to be to play as much as   possible.  Be a part of an organized soccer program and practice, practice, practice. I would also say to respect and learn to love the game.  That love and respect will be your driving force to want to be a part of something great. Question: What training would you recommend for a high school player who is dedicated to improving him or her self in the off season? The game has changed quite a bit over the years, but the fact has not changed that players need to work hard in the off-season. Besides getting out with the ball, both individually and in game situations, work in the weight room is essential.  Players who build total body strength today will have a tremendous advantage over those who leave out this part of their training. Question: What advice can you give to those athletes who are not as talented as the top players in the state, but want to get better and compete on the high school level? As I said earlier, the only way to get better is by playing.  Practice is essential in order to improve.  Not everyone is blessed with the best skills, but everyone can learn to work hard, and hard work will lead to improvement.  I would also suggest not getting discouraged.  Try to set some simple individual goals and work to meet them.  For example, set the goal of trying to increase your speed with the ball and focus on that with your individual training. Question: What special skills do you think a successful coach must possess to lead his or her team during the season? Coaches need to be organized, knowledgeable, and motivated, but most of all, I believe a successful coach at this level needs to remember just how much fun the game is, and how much fun it is to see players grow and develop throughout their four years of high school soccer.   Question: How has being a teacher helped you become a better coach? For one thing, it gives me the opportunity to see and interact with my players off of the field.  Second, my teaching philosophy helps carry out to the field…make the learning environment fun, and success will follow. Question: What advice would you give to student athletes who are struggling academically in school? There are so many academic resources available, whether it is outside tutoring, learning to create better study habits, peer tutoring, etc.. A struggling student, whether an athlete or not, needs to take advantage of any and all available opportunities. Question:  To whom or what do you attribute your ability to be a successful high school coach? I give a lot of the credit to my wife, Karen, and sons, Bradley and Matthew.  Sometimes I am not at home as much as I would want, but they know and understand what I am doing.   What do you love about the game of soccer? As a player, the intensity and ability to “go to battle” with some of the best friends you will ever have.  As a coach, the ability to nurture, develop, and instill into my kids what I loved so much as a player What do you love about coaching high school soccer? The atmosphere.  I love the game of soccer, whether playing with some friends or coaching in front of 3000 people.  In high school, we get to live out a dream that most will never experience, to play a game for more that just yourself but to also represent your school. Who is your favorite professional soccer team? I like Manchester United in the Premier League.  They have an incredible program from the bottom up. I also respect their model for player development.  As for National Teams, it is USA all the way!!! Who is your favorite professional soccer player? Growing up, just like many kids my age, Pele was the man.  He was the Michael Jordan of soccer, and I think he was instrumental in    helping the popularity of soccer grow in the United States in the 70s.  Today, there are so many strong players that I would have a hard time picking a favorite.   Who is your favorite college soccer team? I played at Oglethorpe University, so I will always have a place in my heart for them.  As far as NCAA Division I, I would have to say Clemson. Who taught you the game of soccer? I started playing when I was 5.  At this time, soccer in the United Stated was not very popular, and I think the coaches did their best.  My father was my coach for a number of years, and I think he helped motivate me to play the game.  My high school coach, Peter Monteith, was one of the most knowledgeable and respected coaches in Georgia at the time, and I learned a lot from him.  I think that most of my knowledge came from playing and watching the game. We salute Michael Tolmich for his contributions to Georgia High School Soccer and wish            his Parkview Panthers all the best in the their upcoming 2007 season !!!!