Q&A with Philip Simmons head boys soccer coach Patrick Gundersen
CHARLESTON, S.C. —聽A Q&A with Patrick Gunderson, who is the head boys soccer coach at Philip Simmons High School.
How long have you been coaching?
Patrick Gunderson: I have been coaching at Philip Simmons HS for 6 years, currently also a staff coach for Charleston Soccer Club
What is your background in this sport?
Gunderson: I played soccer my whole life growing up in Norway. Once I moved to the US and my son got into the sport at a young age it reignited my love for the game and allowed me to be active as a coach.
What are one or two things that the team does in training that are keys to their success?
Gunderson: We have monthly lesson plans where we map out what we are working on for a longer period of time, making sure we stay true to this process will allow us to develop the team and individual players over time to allow everyone to reach their true potential.
Please describe the most memorable games/tournaments/championships your team has won?
Gunderson: Any time you win a game or championship is a memorable one, but the region championships we have won at Philip Simmons certainly rank up there.
How do you encourage the team after a disappointing loss?
Gunderson: Try to focus on what we learned from a game, but also make sure everyone understands that one loss does not define a player or team’s season.
Describe your proudest coaching moment?
Gunderson: As a high school coach it is seeing the growth of players from the time they come into the soccer program as middle schoolers or 9th/10th graders to they graduate. Being a part of their growth not only as athletes but students and becoming young men. The proudest moments for me are seeing players who didn鈥檛 have a goal of continuing education post High School be accepted to College and have a clearer plan for their life, knowing that being part of our soccer program played a part in their journey.
What is the biggest life lesson you’ve learned from being a coach?
Gunderson: That all players and people have unique qualities about themselves that make them a valuable part of a team.
What legacy do you hope to leave as a coach?
Gunderson: That I made a player want to give the best they had to offer both on the field and off the field.
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