February 5, 2005

Boys Coach of the Year
Mike Anderson

Mike Anderson is the embodiment of soccer. He has played at the club, high school, and collegiate level of the game. At 18 years old, just prior to leaving on a 2 year mission to Chile, Mike stood in the Rose Bowl amazed that he was about to play in the Disney Cup U-18 Championship Match during the World Cup of 1994. Mike lives the statement that soccer is "the beautiful game". He continues to play as much and as often as he can, both outdoor and indoor and competes at a high level.

At a fairly young age Mike has taken the initiative to remain involved in the game not only by playing but by giving back to soccer youth by coaching. He has obtained his USSF B Coaching License and currently works with some of the best coaches in the state as he coaches with the Olympic Development Program.

Mike believes in offering a high level of soccer to as many players as would like to play. In order to do that, he gathered the right group of people together and formed the Utah County Strikers Soccer Club in 2003. He currently serves as the UC Strikers Club Technical Director and a member of the board of directors. He also coaches the boy's teams at Timpview High School.

To further show Mike's commitment to the game, he accepted a nomination to the UYSA District 5 board of directors taking on the roll of Director of Coaching, a roll that he hopes will serve to help create better coaches throughout Utah County and all of District 5 boundaries. Mike is the first one to give up his own money, and what little time he has left between family, church, and continuing his college education to the game of soccer.

Mike's coaching philosophy is instilling the love of the game in every player. Many players love the game, but only the best play with passion. Mike wants to bring that out in players. Play every minute of the game as if it were your last. As Mike turns from assisting a coach with his U-18 team to taking a training session with a U-11 team he is excited in his response to a good play, firm in his instruction to a continuously missed technique, and willing in his demonstration of a tactic. One of the first to buy his Real Salt Lake season tickets Mike is as excited about professional soccer in Utah as a 5 year old seeing his first bicycle next to the Christmas tree. Although his favorite player to watch is Zinedine Zidane Mike follows the US men's national teams closely and is always the first to talk to you about the most recent match.

All this being said, Mike is simply a loving, giving, caring, person, which translates to being a great teacher and motivator. Great teachers are the best coaches, which is why Mike Anderson has been nominated for the Utah Youth Soccer Association Coach of the Year.