I was hired to do a job, coach. Today, and after nine months, I finally delivered my first regular season training session... and it felt good.

The boys were ready to give their full self with enthusiasm and I can say that the first practice of our fist year together went on without a glitch. My two assistant coaches, Jeff Oleck and Aaron Blessing, were on pitch with me and thanks to their presence and coaching everything progressed as planned.

Some of the boys are in better shape than others and some a little "soccer" rusty but I am confident that after a week together we will definitely see our team falling into the desired shape.

I am excited and  positive about our soccer team. Things may not be perfect (they rarely are) but I really believe that we are at the dawn of something special. Hopefully we stay healthy, focused and humble. With a little luck, we may even travel further than what is expected.

The first day of preseason, the smell of the grass, the ball rolling on the ground, the sweat down the back of your neck...aaahh...it's good to be a coach!

Posted by Roberto Giannini at 08:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This summer has been very busy with camps, recruiting, ODP, and...of course the World Cup! After Italy won the title just about a month ago, I decided to collect my thoughts and channel my energy in preparation for the fall season. My first season as Wabash head coach!

When my boys (I like to call them boys, still, rather that young men) report to campus on August 17th, we will have our first gathering at the Spark Center for a team dinner. The next day, we will take care of some business between physicals, gears distribution, athletic department meetings and our own team meeting. Then, Saturday the 19th, we will start our preseason with a Bleep Test in the morning and more training in the late afternoon.

Our first exhibition game will be Saturday, August 26 against Marion College in Indianapolis, and our season opener on September 2 at home against Alma College.

Five seniors, Z & T Ahmed, Greg Ridenour, Ben Esbaum, and Carlos Guevara will play their last collegiate soccer season this fall and my wish for them is that the last athletic Wabash experience of their young lives may be their best. I count on their leadership, good example, and maturity to help leading this program in the direction I envision every day when I sit at my desk and I start planning the future.

Well, the future is now and I am counting the hours that separate me from the most important duty of my job, prepare these boys to build some ever lasting memories, and in the process... kick some butts!

I know my players are very proud of being Wabash men. My goal is to share the same pride and channel it toward our soccer team because I am sure we will do much to be proud off in the next three months! 

It's just a matter of pride.

Posted by Roberto Giannini at 04:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)