| Getting to know Coach Billy Viger Coach Viger, what went through your mind when you were nominated for the position of NSCAA secretary, can you tell us a little about what kind of responsibility that job entails? I was pleasantly surprised that I made the final three since all the candidates were very well qualified. The secretary will record minutes of the meeting, call for reports prior to the meetings, sets up a meeting agenda, and becomes familiar with the duties of the third vice president by attending all meetings the third vice president is required to attend. This is due to the next progression in office from the secretary is the third vice president. What do you think most people don’t know about coaching on the high school level that could change their perspective about the job in a positive way? Many coaches are licensed either state or national, the dedicated coaches who have a passion for the game and their players put in many more hours to run a quality program. The enrollment of hs coaches into the nscaa program is increasing in our state, some will run a summer camp at their school to promote the program to the feeder elementary and middle schools, and the number of high school coaches is increasing on those who are making an attempt to help a player enroll/play in a college. Coach, tell us about what you felt when you got you’re A-license, the highest honor for a soccer coach? That must have been exciting? First I felt the mental and physical fatigue from the preparation for the A license camp, as well as the pressure to perform in a match and technique review, to teach lessons to jr and senior players, and the oral exam-written exams, mainly the pressure to pass everything to get the license. Second the after shock that I did pass with all my colleagues. It truly is an honor to be in that elite group of A License coaches in the USA! You have been a member of the NSCAA for 20 years. What has being involved in that organization taught you as a coach? What would you say to other coaches about getting involved? Being a member of the NSCAA has taught me several things: Exposure to new coaching techniques, introduction to the other countries coaching schools ( I did an audit of the KNVB Dutch national Coaching School in Zeist, Netherlands), and more on the administration of a quality soccer program. Since I became a member I have encouraged all my coaching colleagues in Georgia, as well as the other coaches I have worked with in camps the past 25 years throughout the USA, that is important to get involved simply for the ability to be a member of the largest coaching association In the world!, to be able to acquire a larger base of technical and tactical coaching activities, and to become more aware of the world stage for soccer. What was it like working at the Olympic Soccer Games as a Field Marshall? Did you see anything out of the ordinary that stuck with you? Working the US Olympic soccer games was a privilege, and an experience that I will never forget due to the excitement of a sold out stadium night after night, meeting new friends from around the world(especially Holland, my residence in 1985!), and to be so close to the playing field to observe some awfully good players. The one and only out of the ordinary experience I had was when the security tightened and the stadium was filled with police and k-9 officers the day after the bombing in the centennial Olympic park. We had to go through 3 security checks, and all training was closed to the public. It was a very uneasy feeling for several days. I wrote a daily piece for the Marietta Daily Journal the entire time I worked the Olympics. Coach, what advice would you give to other coaches that are new to Georgia High School Soccer who want to have success and make a difference in the lives of our young men and women? 1. Find and listen to experienced coaches associated with a steady year after year quality program, pick their brains and do not assume you know it all! 2. Be willing to sacrifice things for yourself and give it all to the program and the players. 3. Either acquire a USSF Coaching License or an NSCAA Diploma, attend all coaching clinics that are possible, become a member of GACA and NSCAA. 4. Try to attend an overseas coaching clinic when time and money are available. 5. In the summer work camps, in the fall referee and or coach a club team. 6. Study the Laws of the Game, read some select texts and articles, I recommend TACTICS AND TEAMWORK by Charles Hughes. That has been my soccer bible !! 7. Develop a quality staff; jv coach, gk coach if possible, athletic trainer/physio, and treat them all with respect and let them have a voice in the program. 8. Try to establish a good working relationship with the HS Referees Association GSOA. Let them know you are familiar with the Laws of the game; so start studying. 9. Promote your program within the school environment; announcements, special nights at the match (youth, teacher etc,), posters, pep rallies, bulletin board etc. 10. BE YOURSELF, BE PROFESSIONAL, AND SHOW INTEREST IN THE OTHER SPORT PROGRAMS AT YOUR SCHOOL. YOU MAY GET SOME RETURN SUPPORT FOR DOING THAT! HAVE FUN!!!!! Coach Viger, you have been a referee and have seen the action from both sides of the game, what have you learned as a ref that made you a better coach? Be patient and feel out the referee during the match. Let him/her get a chance to establish themselves prior to engaging in words. Understand that at times their decisions may not agree with you, bring it to their attention at halftime or after the match in a calm and professional manner. APPRECIATE THAT IT IS NOT AS EASY AS IT LOOKS TO OFFICIATE A MATCH WITH 22 BODIES, LARGE PLAYING FIELD, AND NUMEROUS DISTRACTIONS. Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. Finally, what are your thoughts on the upcoming 2007 Soccer season? Do you have any words for those athletes who are going to represent their school and their community in just a few short months? The upcoming season is like all the past ones in all the classifications. What teams have new coaches, what teams return a lot of starters, what teams are senior dominated, what teams are affected due to re-classification. It will be a fun, sometimes exciting, sometimes frustrating season as always. It is always great to see some new teams step forward in the state tournaments, which shows we are making some progress to improve programs and the game at the Georgia high school level. The student/athletes; boys and girls who will represent their high school and community should make every effort to report for pre season in good aerobic and anaerobic fitness levels. Understand the importance of weight training during the season, be a leader vocally or silently on your team, demand quality training sessions, and understand it is not where you are in Feb, but where are you for post season play? Vigerisms: You are only as good as your NEXT match….. HEART WINS THE BATTLE (MATCH), BUT GUTS WINS THE WAR (STATE CHAMPIONSHIP)………. Thank you for allowing me to contribute to the Ridgway Soccer website. This is another means of promotion for our High School Game. Please support the website and thank Mr. Ridgway for his time and efforts. Billy Viger Asst Coach/GK Coach The Westminster Schools |
