VANCOUVER - The stakes are high for Mark Rogers, the new head coach of UBC Thunderbirds women's soccer team. Not only does he assume responsibility for one of Canada's most successful university soccer programs, he comes in on the heels of legendary coach, Dick Mosher.
Mosher spent 24 seasons as a UBC head coach, racking up 12 Canada West Championships and nine CIS National Championships in addition to several Coach of the Year honours.
But Rogers, 34, is prepared for the pressure of taking up Mosher's mantle at the helm of UBC women's soccer.
“I couldn't have more respect for Dick,” says Rogers. “His are big shoes to fill, but UBC brought me in knowing that I can fill them, and that I'll be able to slowly create my own legacy within the UBC athletic program.”
Rogers' laid-back demeanor is convincing. No doubt it's something he's developed over his extensive career as both a player and coach, which has included a couple of stops at UBC. Rogers spent two seasons as a defender with the T-Birds, and has been an assistant coach on the men's side for the past four seasons.
Rogers also played for the Canadian National Team and had a successful club career in Europe. He played several seasons in England's Football League One with the Wycombe Wanderers.
When the T-Birds take the pitch next year, Rogers' U.K. experience will be evident.
“I'm an English style player and I have an English style philosophy,” explains Rogers. “I like a really high paced game. I don't feel most Canadian teams deal well with that, especially under organized high pressure. That's where I start from.”
Rogers also advocates a defense-first approach, which means his players will have to be in top shape to execute his game plan for 90+ minutes. It's a lot to ask of his team, but the reasoning behind his tactic is sound.
“Most of my teams are very stingy defensively because if you start there and move from the back forward, and you're not conceding goals, you put yourself in with the top teams right away,” says Rogers. “If you're not conceding goals you always have a chance.”
The other key to success for Rogers is personnel, which is why he places a premium on recruiting.
“That's the most import thing - to keep kids coming to play soccer at UBC,” says Rogers. “Absolutely, recruiting is the top priority.”
With deep ties to grassroots soccer and to provincial and national programs, Rogers brings scouting expertise that will help him maintain UBC's high standard for women's soccer.
“We inherit a strong program, but we're losing some key players,” explains Rogers. “So we'll continue to scout the National Training Centre Program in the West, with which I'm very familiar, having worked with those girls in the past.”
But it's not just about soccer for Rogers. In fact, he puts a greater emphasis on education than athletics, and expects the same of his players.
“Hopefully these kids are coming to school to be students first,” says Rogers. “Soccer should be used as a network to create a positive environment for academics."
“In terms of recruiting, the school itself is a selling point,” he continues. “UBC stands on its own as an academic institution. But if recruits know there's a good soccer program to go to, then that makes it even more appealing. The training will be of a high level. I think that's the allure of coming to this school from a soccer point of view.”
The UBC women's soccer program is highly regarded, having won three national championships in the last decade, and following a legend into a prominent head coaching position might be daunting for some people. The expectations for the T-Birds are very high, and so is the bar for achievement but Rogers is ready.
“I feel comfortable in this role,” says Rogers. “I've been the captain of almost every team I've played on. I've assisted [UBC men's coach]
Mike Mosher, I've been a head coach for provincial team programs, I run my community club. It's just a matter of recognizing what the program is and the tradition here and what Dick has created over twenty-some-odd years. Making sure that we continue to develop from there: that's my job.”
-30-
