Retire from professional baseball and you might be elected to
the prestigious Hall of Fame or venture out on a barnstorming tour
of autograph shows. Calling it quits in pro football immediately
lands you an analyst job on Fox Sports TV, where you can make a
complete fool of yourself before, after or during a game. Leaving
the bright lights of the basketball hardwood enables you to play in
or host charity golf events, where your lousy golf game is exposed
for millions to see. Retire from professional soccer and, well,
nothing quite as glamorous as the aforementioned things will
happen, plus, you won’t be noticed at Santana Row or downtown
Carmel. Dancing with the Stars won’t be phoning to have you attend
an audition.
Retire from professional baseball and you might be elected to the prestigious Hall of Fame or venture out on a barnstorming tour of autograph shows.
Calling it quits in pro football immediately lands you an analyst job on Fox Sports TV, where you can make a complete fool of yourself before, after or during a game.
Leaving the bright lights of the basketball hardwood enables you to play in or host charity golf events, where your lousy golf game is exposed for millions to see.
Retire from professional soccer and, well, nothing quite as glamorous as the aforementioned things will happen, plus, you won’t be noticed at Santana Row or downtown Carmel.
Dancing with the Stars won’t be phoning to have you attend an audition.
It’s also quite safe to say that the local paparazzi won’t be hounding you the moment you leave your house unless you’re married to one of the Spice Girls.
In the case of Dave Salzwedel, former goalie for the San Jose Clash and Earthquakes, you end up as the Middle School Athletic Director at Oakwood School in Morgan Hill, and for him, he wouldn’t want it any other way.
Oh sure, he could be hobnobbing with celebrities in Southern California where he was raised, but he realizes he enjoys working with kids, especially his twin daughters, raising his family and running some soccer camps.
Not a life that jumps out at you, but one he prefers.
Recently I sat down with Coach “S,” as he’s affectionally called by everyone at Oakwood, to discuss soccer, youth soccer and get some insight on the state of affairs involving soccer around the nation.
Rich Taylor: So, what is the outlook of youth soccer in the United States? Is it more popular or has it lost some of it’s luster from the past?
Dave Salzwedel: When I played, the outlook was incredible. There was a huge outpouring from the kids everywhere we traveled and played. I felt like a rock star. Now that San Jose doesn’t have a team it’s affected the youth soccer a little and the popularity has dropped off.
RT: What should youth soccer be doing to become better and what would be the one thing you’d like to see them do?
DS: I’d like to see them coach the coaches better and get more training for them, such as bringing in professional coaches and trainers. We have training programs in place now, but it’s not enough. It’s fine for beginning players, but we need to train the older and quality players so they can compete at a higher caliber of competition.
RT: What should a good youth soccer coach possess?
DS: Management skills in regards to players and parents, and knowledge to coach.
RT: What is the mission statement for your soccer camps here at Oakwood?
DS: Have fun!
RT: What intangible advice do you have for young soccer players in today’s world?
DS: Have a huge heart, be aggressive and never give up. Those are things you can’t teach. They must come from within.
RT: For the Earthquakes to survive this time around, what’s it going to take?
DS: Ownership has to build a stadium because that’s what the MLS wants and the team must have control of the concessions, parking and other revenue, so it can go back to the team, not someone else. That didn’t happen in the past and that’s why we lost the team.
RT: Who’s the best men’s and women’s soccer player in the world right now?
DS: Ronaldinho from Brazil is the best player because he’s by far the most exciting player. He’s fast, quick and moves well. And Marta, also from Brazil, is the best women’s player in my opinion.
RT: Who was the best player you played with or against?
DS: Eric Wynalda …
After our brief chat it’s clear to see that Salzwedel has a passion for soccer, his job, and making youth soccer a more prominent sport nationwide.
If he could have any job in the world, he’d love to coach a professional team.
For now, though, he’s just Coach “S” and the kids at Oakwood look up to him with respect and enjoy the camaraderie he inspires among them.
He makes every kid feel wanted and important, and instills in every kid that they can make a difference.
While other former professional athletes think they’re in the right place after their careers are over, and they’re not, Salzwedel knows he’s in the right spot and everyone around him agrees.
On my way out I had one last question for this former professional athlete. Would he appear on Dancing With the Stars if given the chance? Without hesitation he replied, “sure.”
And come to think of it, since every soccer player makes a living with their feet, Salzwedel would probably win.
Rich Taylor is the CEO and head instructor of California Pitching Academy and a scout for the New York Mets. Reach him at rj********@***oo.com.
