Elite Soccer- Coach of the Month

Elite Soccer Coach of the Month- January 2010

Stein Garcia
January 2010
» Elite Soccer Director of Coaching
» U.S.S.F. National 'B' License
» U14 Girls Aces Academy Red
» U16 Boys Aces Academy Red
» U18 Girls Aces Academy Red
» Aces Youth Leadership Program Director
» Multiple other camps and programs
» Staff Bio Page

How long have you been coaching with Elite Soccer?
7 years going on 8
What other job do you currently hold?
I am the full time Director of Coaching for Elite Soccer and the Aces Academy
What is your favorite part of coaching with Elite Soccer?
We have an outstanding staff who share my passion for developing players on and off the field
What is your favorite part of coaching youth players?
I truly enjoy seeing players develop their soccer abilities and skills but more importantly their character
Where were you born?
Chicago, IL
Where did you grow up and what high school did you attend?
Hoffman Estates, Hoffman Estates High School class of 1996
Where did you go to college, and what was your degree in?
I went to Creighton University for 2 years and finished my last 2 at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), my undergraduate degree was in Kinesiology. I also went to UIC for grad school and finished with a Masters in Kinesiology-Youth Development Concentration
Soccer playing experience (include any honor/accolades received)-
Youth- Illinois Olympic Development Team 1992-1996
High School- 4 year Varsity starter, 3 time All Conference, 3 time All Section, 3 Time team MVP, 2 Time Daily Herald and Pioneer Press All-Area, Senior Year IHSA All-State Player
College- Creighton University-NCAA Final Four,Sweet 16, UIC MCC Regular and Tournament Champions, NCAA Tournament Appearance
What position did you play?
Forward and Midfield
What other coaching experience do you have?
UIC assistant coach 2000-2001
Oak Park Strikers
Harper Junior College Soccer Camp Director
Adventura Soccer Camp-German Method Instructor
What is your best soccer memory?
At UIC,I had the game winning assist against Fairview University in a 1-0 win to put UIC in its first ever NCAA Soccer Tournament in school history.
What is the best soccer game you’ve ever seen?
In the Confederations Cup, US Team beat #1 in the world, Spain 2-0. I was proud to see the US team compete at such a high level and I was also proud to see my former UIC teammate Jay DeMerit play the full 90minutes for the US.
If you couldn’t play soccer, what sport would you like to be good at?
I would have loved to have played basketball, but I'm not the tallest guy in the world.
What is your favorite pro soccer team or player?
I'm a Barcelona fan-Messi is so much fun to watch!!!
What made you get into coaching?
My Dad Sam Garcia was an outstanding coach when I was growing up. He won two U18Girls IL State Cup Championships, Coached at Harper Junior College, and Started the first ever Womens soccer program at Harper. My dad was a positive, intelligent and classy coach. I model a lot of my coaching from what I have learned from seeing him coach.
What is your favorite:
Movie? Too many to name
Food? Filipino Food
Book? Any Military, FBI, CIA stories and books, Sun Tzu's The Art of War
Restaurant? Wildfire or YUs Mandarin
Sports Team? Old School Bulls-the Jordan years
What is the most interesting place you have ever lived?
Chicago-its a great city, so much culture so much to do
What is the coolest place you have ever visited?
I was fortunate to play soccer with Creighton University in France. Great Soccer, beautiful sights and interesting culture
What is one place you want to visit?
I want to go to Spain to see the sites and of course Barcelona!!!
Do you have any pets?
I have 2 Siberian Huskies
What other jobs have you held?
I was a wedding videographer and in media production for 5 years
If you could be any superhero, which superhero would you be and why?
The man of Steel- Super Man, I want to fly
What kind of music do you like to listen to?
too many to name-It depends what mood i'm in
What was your favorite subject in school?
Sociology or psychology
Tell us about your family:
My parents, Mabel and Sam, immigrated from the Philippines seeking the American dream. They have worked hard their whole lives to give their kids the best opportunities. I will never forget this. I have 2 older sisters and 1 younger brother. We grew up as a true soccer family. My oldest sister Sheila played soccer at the University of Chicago, my sister Steph played at Loyola University, and my brother Vince played at Harper Junior College. We are all very close and love family gatherings. My amazing wife April and I have been married 2 1/2 years and we have 2 great Huskies Maya and Honda.
Did anything funny and/or embarrassing ever happen to you while playing soccer?
Not that i can remember
If you could be another Elite Soccer trainer for a day, who would you be and why?
I would be Jason Reynolds. He is one cool dude.
What is your best Elite Soccer memory?
I have had the privilege of coaching some outstanding players and teams. I have so many great memories. There are 4 that I really enjoyed. One is when my U18 Aces Academy Girls Team in 2008 won the Metro United College Showcase in St. Louis (2-1 in the final vs Socker FC). The tournament is a premier tournament and top ranked in the US. Another great memory was winning the U12 Girls Libertyville Tournament in an exciting shoot out vs BASA-Mary Collins scored the game winning goal. (0-0 regulation,2 overtimes, 3-2pks victory). My third one is in the Schwaben Tournament-we are down 1-0 with 45 seconds left, Brian Nelms scores the game tying goal to send it to PKS. We win 3-0 in pks with Yuske Kanada, Alex Mascipinto, and Matt Brant hitting their shots and Brad Reibel saving 3 shots. My last but not least is seeing the efforts of the Youth Leaders in the Aces Leadership Program in collecting over 1,350 pairs of shoes for the Share Your Soles organization. I was impressed by the time, commitment and service the Youth Leaders put in for a great cause.

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