A Moment in Soccer - Selection #1

Good Friends

In 2006, the Midwest Regional Championships were held in Appleton, WI. Our club had about ten State Champions that season, and I coached four of them. I spoke with my coaching colleagues Tony and Pat, and told them “Because I have four teams playing there’s going to be overlap. I’ll need some help.”

They responded like friends and colleagues respond. “Because I have four teams, I should pretty much be running the club,” they mocked. “No, your fine. I’m sure you can coach two teams at once. After all, you coached ‘four’ state champions.”

When they were finished ridiculing me, we met with Pete, the Director of Coaching, and organized our schedules-but not before they got in a few more jabs. “Hey Pete, with Rob’s ‘four state champions’ he’s starting to think he’s in charge.” “Yeah Pete, he pretty much thinks he’s better than everybody.” The ribbing was funny, but it was needling me. Am I acting egotistical? Is that what they think of me? I knew they were kidding, but maybe... Pat and Tony sensed my insecurity, so like good friends – they harassed me more. After a couple of days, they finally let it go.

With the tournament in Wisconsin, the local press covered the day’s events and highlighted teams from the state. After one of my games, a reporter asked me questions about my team and our club. I answered but emphasized, “If you want to know more, you really need to speak with Peter, our Coaching Director.” I gave him Pete’s contact info, cordially answered a few more questions, and went on my way.

The next day, as I was running from game to game, Tony and Pat approached me, “Nice article.”

“What article?”

“The one in the paper where it says Director of Coaching Rob Harrington.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You didn’t see it.”

“No.”

“It’s an article on our club and the only name in it is yours, and it says you’re the Coaching Director. It never even mentions Pete.”

“Honestly, that’s really frustrating. I even gave the guy Pete’s info.”

“Sure, you did.”

“Really? I swear I gave him Pete’s contact info and said he’s the Coaching Director.”

“Well, that’s not what the article says.”

Now I was bothered, really bothered. Pat and Tony giving me shit, big deal – that’s what we do. But a reporter misrepresenting my words and making me look like a shmuck – that’s aggravating. I talked to Pete. He seemed fine, but I’m sure it annoyed him. I vowed to demand a retraction. But first, I had to coach my U18 boys in the Regional Championship match. That’s right, I had a team in the final. I was excited. We lost 0-4.

After the game, on the awards stand, I began my speech the following way, “Before anything else, I’d like to set the record straight. In the paper today it referred to me as the Director of Coaching for our club. I’m not The Director of Coaching, Pete is, and he always has been. Anyway, that needed to be said.” Just as I finished my correction, I saw Pat and Tony doubled over laughing.

I knew at that moment what you’re guessing now; there was an article, but my name was never mentioned. Tony and Pat, my “good friends”, made the whole thing up.