Soft Bigotry of the “Elite”

[jockomofc]

I have played and coached football for several years. I even had the blessed opportunity to create an athletic program with soccer as the keystone sport. I can admit that i didn’t know the game nearly as much as others, but I developed a team with an outstanding 11-4-1 record in its 1st year, and a playoff appearance in its first playoff eligible year. I have managed small and big box stores of 5- 20 million dollars in annual sales. So, to have an individual claim that i was not qualified to operate their previous sales/operations position was preposterous. That i played and am still physically built like a football player should not be a handicap for me in the “soccer world”. I’m not qualified because i became a fan less than a decade ago? Because I didn’t grow up playing on a club team? I’m hoping that those are the only weak arguments, because anything else would be a slap in the face to the diversity of what the sport means. Creating my own soccer podcast for fun, publishing a book on soccer (soon to be two), and developing business and community outreach plans for urban soccer training/education are some of the tasks that am working on. So what if I’m built like Adama Traore? I want to reach the game out to those that did not, or have not experienced it. Unfortunately this individual poses as someone who cares about change, but looks to lock out anyone that they don’t feel comfortable with. If this game is to grow in the U.S. the assumption that fellow soccer fans will look like you, or even the same background as you is not helpful. I hope this individual will have an awakening to their actions. I look forward to developing what he won’t. And for those reading this, be quick to welcome others to the game and not judge them

[beasleyisbeastly]

Those saying you’re “not qualified” are probably assuming a few things:

A) that because you are newer to the game and didn’t grow up with it that you lack the knowledge to develop players on both skills and tactics

B) your background in football means you’ll teach your kids to play with aggression and physicality over skill and sound team play.

C) you lack the ability to notice different styles of play or what separates good teams from bad teams.

As someone who grew up seeing these types of coaches everywhere, I can confirm these coaches, who have backgrounds like yours, do exist. However, I’d say the fact that you’ve raised concerns about this by posting here goes to show that you aren’t this type of coach. You obviously care about learning the game and how to develop players and teams. So I say congratulations. That record for a first year team is great. All you can do is continue to learn the game and give all the effort to your players that you can. Maybe this person will see that you’re trying and waste their time complaining about it someone who deserves it.

[Bish]

I'm curious. What outfit did you wear to the interview that denied you? Did you mention Freddy Adu?

[jockomofc]

Aug 24, 2022 12:03:41 GMT -6 Bish said:

I'm curious. What outfit did you wear to the interview that denied you? Did you mention Freddy Adu?

Dress casual, and no mention of Adu. Their loss.

[Bish]

What is “dress casual.” You wore casual clothes to an interview?

[jockomofc]

Khaki pants and a polo and dress shoes. An extremely appropriate ensemble, so my outfit wasn’t a factor.