The Boot Room this month takes us to San Francisco State University (SFSU), where last week the NSCAA held its National and Advanced National Diploma courses.

SFSU is an ideal location for courses of this nature.  Everything is close at hand - the accommodation, the lecture rooms, the cafeteria and the excellent soccer fields.  As well, the weather was perfect for soccer - mainly overcast and in the mid 60's.

The only negative thing, at least for the Advanced National with just two groups of 14 coaches, was that by they end of a grueling week on the field, for some of the candidates it was like Boot Camp - not Boot Room.

Inevitably, with a group of coaches past their prime as players, the continual on-the-field demands took their toll.  The older ones discovered muscles they thought no longer existed, but also found they didn't work for long.  The younger coaches had to pick up the slack brought about by a deteriorating selection roster.

Nevertheless, they dragged themselves through it and many limped their selves willingly for their co-candidates.

Timo Liekowski, flanked by NSCAA Director of Coach Education, Jeff Tipping, and Yours Truly

Re-joining the NSCAA instructional staff after an absence of 15 years was Timo Liekowski.  Timo's bio goes on for ever - outstanding college coach at Hartwick, USSF Director of Coaching, NASL coach, US National U23 coach...the list just goes on.

Also, Jerry Smith, the women's head coach at Santa Clara, and in the top three of all-time wins in the NCAA Division 1, addressed the Advanced group on Team Management and got rave reviews.

Jerry Smith, Women's Head Coach, Santa Clara University