Relentless

Soccer players may get all the glory, but behind every great player is a great coach. And behind every great coach today stands a cadre of mentors who dedicated decades to championing soccer's long climb from obscurity to become one of the major sports in America. It was an uphill battle, fought persistently and creatively to overcome a public perception of soccer as 'foreign,' 'aloof,' 'snobby,' or simply 'odd.' This is a story of individual and collective action, of coaches coming together to improve the sport and expand its reach. The adaptation and sharing of improved coaching methodologies has resulted in improved play on the field such that today American players (and coaches to some degree) are having an impact not just nationally, but internationally. Because of the determined and insistent efforts of the US soccer coaching community, soccer is now perceived as a rigorous, athletic pursuit. In addition to the stories found in this book are more than 50 QR codes that provide bonus information on the coaches and their careers. Relentless tells the landmark and previously untold stories of resolute coaches, their love of the game, and how they transformed the sport in the United States.

Tim Schum is a retired professor of Physical Education. He coached the men's soccer team at Binghamton (NY) University for 29 years. Upon retirement from coaching in 1992, the Colonial men had achieved a 259-125-43 record, including eight NCAA Tournament appearances and selection to eight ECAC Tournaments. The Colonials won two ECAC titles and were six-time State University of New York Athletic Conference champions. Holder of a US Soccer 'B' Coaching License, Tim was a senior staff member of the NSCAA Coaching Academy and served as an Olympic Development coach for the New York State West Youth Soccer Association. He served as president of the National Soccer Coaches of America (1982-83) and was presented the organization's Honor Award in 1994 as well as inducted to its Soccer Hall of Fame in 2004. Recipient of the Bill Jeffrey Award for his contributions to college soccer in 1994, Schum edited the NSCAA (now United Soccer Coaches) magazine Soccer Journal from 1980-2002 and has authored/edited five books related to soccer or sports including a 50-year history of the NSCAA published in 1992. He was a three-time All-New York State player while playing at the University of Rochester, where he majored in history, and is a member of that school's athletic Hall of Fame, as well as the Spencerport High School, Monroe County Soccer, and Greater Binghamton Sports Halls of Fame. Tim lives in Endwell, New York, and he and wife Ann are proud of their 18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.