The Making of a Champion: an Interview with Soccer Star Staci Wilson

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Like many great athletes, Staci Wilson is passionate about her sport and about furthering the profession of women’s soccer. But, something else always struck me – her genuine desire to help children and women boost their self-esteem and confidence by developing their athletic skills. Staci’s modest nature combined with her talent for coaching, playing and teaching made me want to learn more so this weekend I decided it was time to dig a little further and find out what made her who she is today.

Tell me about your career and what you love the most about it:

>I specialize in training female soccer players to be the best that they can be in achieving their highest soccer dreams. I use my own experience to perfect my coaching methods and teach technical skills and tactical-game understanding while helping players improve their game through good physical conditioning and sound nutrition practices.

An important part of what I teach players comes in how I do it. I show players the value of and enjoyment that comes when you: work hard and sacrifice, are responsible, disciplined and confident, and also show respect and compassion to the world around you. Each athlete has a story and I enjoy connecting with that individual or team and feeling like my training not only helps make them physically better, but that they are learning a lot about handling themselves through the ups and downs of life in the process.

How did you handle the transition from star collegiate player to Olympian to not playing anymore?

I actually had to hang up the cleats about seven years ago with a hip flexor injury that coincided with the folding of the WUSA (1st women's pro soccer league in America). I did not handle that well, but think that it was the injury that really threw me for a loop. It came at the absolute "wrong" time... Luckily the job I moved to was that of a strength and conditioning coach (boys & girls, all sports) and soccer coach at a college prep school. There I was able to rebuild my body and continue playing on the job. I ended up having a great time building each program and training with the kids who were eager to improve. So really, the first time I transitioned to coaching, I luckily landed in a weight room environment and surrounded by folks happy to train with me all hours of the day.

The recent transition from player to coach occurred at the age of 33. That transition was totally different. Weirdly, it also coincided with injury (ACL knee from a contact injury). This stopped me in my tracks and made me think there must be some reason for it. And I realized that I had a life outside of soccer and training for hours every day wasn’t necessary or attractive anymore.

It appears that the hard part of transition has been to in adjusting my on-field personality and approach to training from the one that I take with my job. As the defender who won "Gift of Fury Award" year after year, I tend to go after goals with relentless pressure and effort. That is great for defense, but not necessarily offense. On the field I had teammates who could do the offense while I brought the tenacious defense, but as a leader of a team and person trying to have a well-rounded life, I have learned to the importance of fury versus composure.

Looking over the past several years, what is your most memorable moment?
Having Brandi Chastain carry me on her back to her car when I was stuck on at the end of the tryout in which I tore my acl, mcl, and lcl. I literally could not walk and everyone was hurrying off. I had no friends or family with me, and was on the other side of the country. Brandi shows up randomly (just checking out tryouts since she had just signed with that particular team), sees me, and is insistent on helping me. When I told her that it was really too much for her to carry my bags and me, and that I could just lean on her walking, she said, "No! Get on. There's no way I'm not taking care of you, man! You're my teammate and I'm not leaving you. C'mon". She drove me her home to get some crutches and then to front door service at my hotel. She was a lifesaver - has always been one of my favorite folks, and that of course further won me over.

To find out more about Staci, visit: http://www.staciwilsonsoccer.com

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