This Month in Marin FC – November 2017
This Month in Marin FC summarizes the month's news and notes in a series of 'high-level' briefs from various club constituents.
From the Director of Development
Here are a few highlights and news tidbits from the past month:
October Song
To say that October presented its array of difficulties for Marin FC would be both true and abjectly insensitive to the circumstances. Thanksgiving is fast approaching, so I will launch the season of thanks by declaring that we should appreciate our problems and rejoice in the spirit of our players, families and staff to overcome what confronts us and then go beyond.
Shuffling and Shimmying
The month started off with the shuttering of the Terra Linda High School Stadium field due to a failed safety inspection. While this didn't seem to hinder us instantaneously, the ripple effect through other sports users and across other district facilities, quickly put us in a jam. Kudos to Chas Thorp, Lynetta Matteo and the myriad of managers and coaches who shuffled, shimmied and otherwise twisted to keep everyone training at full pace. The district has since been cooperative and re-released time to us. On a related note, the delayed construction at the College of Marin Stadium Field (a grass to all-weather turf conversion) has restarted and heavy equipment is making significant progress.
A Devastating Event
The Terra Linda field closure quickly felt like little more than a forgotten hiccup when the entire club was virtually shut down for more than ten days due to the North Bay fires. Difficult as it was to lose training and games, here is where we can truly be thankful for our problems. Our northern neighbors, and frequent opponents in the beautiful game, suffered far worse and continue to suffer today. Lives have been lost and hundreds, if not thousands, have been upended. Between Atletico Santa Rosa and Santa Rosa United, more than 60 soccer families lost their homes. I had the opportunity to go up to Santa Rosa and meet with representatives from both clubs and they are reeling but resilient. It will be a long road back as the most recent word is that Trione Field, which was initially thought to be spared from the fire, is a total loss and will need to be rebuilt at a preliminary cost estimate of around $3M.
A Spirit of Giving
Continuing the theme of moving out of October's troubles and into November "thanks," I must reflect on and commemorate the Marin FC and Central Marin spirit of giving to aid the fire victims. In the midst of concluding our own fundraising raffle (over $50,000 raised!) the gift card donations brought to Field Day proved that in Marin there's more to soccer than the game itself. Thanks to some final matching gifts, the drive raised just over $8,600 of much-needed help. The donated cards put virtual cash in the hands of families less than 48 hours after it was collected. Based upon the number of effected families at each club, $1,600 went to Atletico and $5,000 went to SRU. The remaining cash and check donations of $2,000 were donated to NorCal's collective effort to raise $100,000, to be spread among any and all other clubs effected. Immense thanks to everyone who donated, and to all the volunteers who helped make the gift card drive and Field Day a resounding success!
As we turn the page on a tumultuous October, we can be thankful for both our problems and our members' spirit and commitment to overcome them and do even more. With the high school break fast approaching, we anticipate returning to a level of normalcy. We wrapped up our mid-season survey with approximately triple the response rate from previous years. Our new senior technical staff has hit the ground running with responsibilities to attend trainings and games with the teams and coaches under their purview. And despite October's challenges, the board and staff are waist deep into planning for the '18-19 season.
Tis the Season of Thanks
Stay safe and dry as much as possible as you head off to play or spectate at this fall's high school games. If history can be trusted, I'll see many of you out there getting battered by the rains. When we're bundled and buffeted, we can remember to be thankful.
Evan Cross, President
From the Director of Coaching
This past month marked the first month the new senior technical staff was in place. Weekly conference calls have been augmented with small group communications that add a higher level of oversight and accountability throughout the club. Ideas have been flying, the fruits of which the club will see in the months to come as we work to execute new initiatives in support of improved player development and opportunity.
On the Field
This month marks the end of the NorCal and NPL fall season. Fall NPL Showcase and other similar events follow in the next three weeks that will nicely "wrap" our fall soccer commitment. Last week, several of our teams participated in tournaments throughout Northern California, most notably of which the '01, '03 and '04 girls' blue teams all took second place at the Placer Showcase, one of the larger and more prestigious tournaments in our region.
I'm sure Evan will talk to this at greater length, but it was great to see our broader community, including Marin FC and Central Marin legacy coaches, come together so effectively at Field Day. It proved to be a great day that was well attended, and served as a fun fundraiser for all. Field Day also helped to highlight the incredible empathy and support shown to our neighbors to the north. Genuine caring and outreach to those impacted was highlighted with so many notable gestures, not the least of which amounted to a significant amount of money raised for affected soccer families from Santa Rosa United and Atletico, and individual snapshots of generosity like the one extended by Pete Serchia and 'All Season Soccer' to get those directly impacted by the fires back on the field and into the sport they love. Our Santa Rosa based players have also been a conduit to inviting Santa Rosa United players down to participate in FC trainings, which is a particularly touching sign of the bond that has been built between the clubs across the Petaluma Narrows.
There are a few other people that deserve special mention for all they've done, of late, to navigate air quality challenges that resulted from the fires. Chas, our field scheduler, deserves special recognition for metaphorically "moving mountains" to get practices and games re-scheduled. And our team managers worked tirelessly behind the scenes to mitigate what was a challenging time for all. A big thank you to everyone for going above and beyond to see us to the other side of the mess.
– Josh Kalkstein, DOC
This month's spotlight article features an interview with University of Pennsylvania freshman, Josephine 'McRae' Fried. Here's what she had to say:
Tell our readers a little about yourself.
I was born in San Francisco, where I grew up with three younger brothers, Max, Eli and Gus, my mom and dad, Lycia and Rocky, and my now step-mom, Ali, and half-sister, Coco. I went to Marin Country Day School in Corte Madera and then attended University High School in San Francisco. In High School, I played varsity basketball and soccer beginning my freshman year. At University, I was the President of my school's feminist club, an editor of the school newspaper, as well as the President of KEEN, an organization that promotes physical activity for kids with developmental disabilities. I graduated from University in 2017 and currently attend the University of Pennsylvania.
Recollect your Marin FC experience if you will.
I started playing for Mill Valley Soccer Club when I was 11 and then transitioned to Marin FC in 7th grade. I started out on the red team playing for Rob Funes. After that I played for Simon Ireland and finished my Marin FC career with Tyler Gottschalk. My final two seasons with Marin FC were very successful. My team picked up some huge wins against top Northern California teams, allowing us to compete in the Champions League.
What other schools did you look at and why did you ultimately pick Penn?
I always knew I wanted to leave California, so I focused my college search on East Coast schools. I was very interested in NESCAC schools and seriously considered Middlebury College, but ultimately decided I needed to be in a bigger environment. My dad went to Penn and my friends, and Marin FC alums, Miranda Schwartz and Sam Klingelhofer, were freshman on the team so it was always a school on my radar. Ultimately, I decided that Penn's combination of academic rigor, athletic excellence, and an urban atmosphere was the perfect fit for me.
What were some of the adjustments you had to make to successfully transition from club to collegiate ball?
I learned early on that I would no longer be able to heavily rely on my size and strength. In the college game there are a lot more players that can match my physicality than there were in club. The speed of play in college is also elevated. The athleticism of other teams really forces you to play quickly and be much sharper with your movements off the ball. Overall, there is just a heightened level of intensity and emotion in each game. Our league schedule is short, and we don't have a league tournament, so every game is so important and the inter-league rivalries attach an extra sense of pride to each win.
Summarize your collegiate soccer career to date. What have been some of the highlights?
My first season was fun. We had a very challenging preseason schedule that prepared us well for Ivy League play. The team culture is great and are our training atmosphere is always super competitive. My favorite moment from this season was beating Yale 3-1, after going down 0-1. Our team is very young, so I think we are in a great position to be competitive for years to come.
What are you learning as a collegiate athlete that you'll take into post-collegiate life?
The level of commitment that is required to be successful in college soccer is something that I will take with me after I graduate. My coaches have preached how you can always control your work ethic and that if you work as hard as you can, no one will be able to ding you on effort, regardless of the outcome. This is something that has really resonated with me, has helped lead our team through tough losses, and will continue to guide me as I encounter adversity in the future.
From athletics to academics. What are you studying?
I have not declared my major yet, but I am planning on studying political science with a concentration in International Relations. I am also considering a minor in Legal Studies from Wharton, Penn's business school.
Any interests outside of soccer?
I am a member of the Penn Democrats deputy board and a strong advocate for social justice. I am also in the process of becoming a volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters in Philadelphia, which is something that I'm very excited about. I am also a huge sports fan, so I spend a lot of my free time watching Warriors, NFL and a variety of European soccer games. I am taking a class on Sports Business and Management this spring to further explore this interest!
Any thoughts about life after college?
After I graduate, I am planning on attending law school and spending some more time out on the East Coast in either New York or DC. I hope to end up back in the Bay Area eventually.
The Marin FC alumni community is alive and well. Do you keep in touch with many of your former teammates?
Yes! My best friend at Penn is one of my Marin FC teammates, Chase Geffert. As I mentioned I am also at Penn with Sam Klingelhofer and Miranda Schwartz who were one age group above me at Marin FC and now teammates of mine at Penn. I have also remained close with several other teammates such as Natalie Orsi, Lauren Foehr, Sydney Westley, and Tule Horton. My club teammate Nicole Long currently plays at Cornell, so I will also get to see her this Fall.
Anyone you want to thank or recognize at Marin FC?
I need to thank Tyler Gottschalk. Tyler was extremely influential in shaping me into the soccer player I am today. I grew a lot as a player and leader under Tyler, and he really helped to expand my understanding of the game. Rob Funes and Chris King were also very steady figures during my time with Marin FC.
Before I let you go, give us a little insight into your interests and passions. Name three books on your book shelf, three gadgets you couldn't live without, and three artists/bands in your iPod.
Books: Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance, The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander, and The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway. Gadgets: my phone and my computer are all I ever need. Music: Lil Pump, Kanye West, and VIc Mensa.
How can our readers follow you if they'd like to track your athletic activities?
They can follow our team at http://www.pennathletics.com/index.aspx?path=wsoc.
Raffle Summary
Marin FC and Central Marin Youth Soccer combined resources to run two concurrent raffles culminating in a Field Day raffle drawing at Redwood High School's Ghilotti Field on Wednesday October 18, 2017. Net proceeds from the raffle supported a variety of financial aid and player/coach development initiatives. Click here for more.
Got Team News?
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Edited posts will be added to our website homepage "latest club news" section and posted on our Facebook page within 48 hours. We encourage you to use this tool to keep all in the club informed re: individual and team accomplishments. A big thanks to those of you that use it already.
– Ian Tonks, Director of Development
Posted in 2017 Newsletter