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| Coach Alan Dawson is a three-time CAA Coach of the Year. |
Live Chat With Men's Soccer Coach Alan Dawson
Alan Dawson, a three-time CAA Coach of the Year who has taken the ODU men's soccer program to two straight NCAA tournaments, advancing to the second round both times will be our chat room guest Monday, Sept.6 at 5:30 p.m. Please join us with your questions about the upcoming season, the CAA race and the Stihl Soccer Classic on Sept. 10 and 12 with Rutgers, Navy and CAA rival William and Mary.
Dawson enters his eighth season guiding the Monarchs. In just a few years, he has led the program back to national prominence. Last year, ODU reached the NCAA second round and ranked as high as second nationally. Before some critical injuries, ODU won its first 14 games and did not allow a goal throught the first nine. Dawson was named by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) South Atlantic Coach of the Year.
Feel free to leave a question now for Coach Dawson or stop back by on Monday.
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| Moderator: Good afternoon every one and
welcome to today's chat with
men's soccer coach Alan Dawson. |
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| Mark, Newport News: Who do you see as the offensive leader of the team? |
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Alan Dawson: Favorite movie is Midnight express. Favorite book,
Is a book from the English national team coach, Sven Goran Erickson about soccer management. Since I am a practical guy. |
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| Dan, Williamsburg: What's your favorite CAA school to travel to? |
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Alan Dawson: I would say, VCU or UNC Wilmington. They both have
quality stadiums and quality
surfaces and typically decent
weather. |
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| Dawn (Norfolk): What do you do during your off time, when you're not focused on soccer? |
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Alan Dawson: There is no off time....
But do like to travel and I am
involved with the local youth soccer athletic club ACN which
takes up a lot of my time.
My off time, I watch my raiders
play... |
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| Mitch, Chesapeake: Is the CAA expansion (Georgia State and Northeastern) going to affect soccer as well? |
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Alan Dawson: Yes,
But at this point we do not know
what the league format will be.
It could be round robin or divisional play. |
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| Zach, Va Beach: I saw that Brian Cvilikas hasn't been much of a factor this season so far (and that he didn't play very much against Davidson). Is there anything wrong with him? |
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Alan Dawson: We have an abundance of forwards, and we play the most
forwards who are in the best form at this point. Brian has
not really found his groove,
however we expect him to be
a major contributor and factor
for us as the season goes on. |
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| John, Portsmouth: Can you give me a general breakdown of how you and your assistants break down responsibilities (i.e. recruiting, scouting, player development/positions)? |
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Alan Dawson: Most of the recruiting is devided between the top assistant and myself with the
final decisions made by myself. We all participate on the practice field and I give
my assistants a lot of say in
terms of what we do. |
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| Tom (Norfolk): Congratulations on the start of the
season. It looks like this year's
Stihl Classic will have four outstanding teams with Rutgers and
Navy. |
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Alan Dawson: We are very excited about the Stihl Classic weekend. As the field of teams are all very strong. We also hope to draw some big crowds based on the popularity of these teams. |
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| Jim (Chesapeake): Do you think Cvilikas has the ability to go pro after next year? |
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Alan Dawson: He certainly has the work ethic and athleticism, however he must work on his touch and
technical game. |
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| Jason, Poqouson: I see that you have 23 guys on the team this year. Seems kind of low. Any reason? |
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Alan Dawson: We were pursuing someother players, but were unable to secure them late in the recruiting process, so we decided to keep the squad at
a manageable size. We have a very deep 23. |
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| Paul, SUffolk: Can you compare Sam Cameron with John Connelly? |
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Alan Dawson: They are two different type of keepers. Same was bigger and
dominant in the air, Jonh is smaller but quicker. They both brought strengths of their own. |
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| Dave (Hampton): Given the fact that Trevor's still out of commission, do you think the #9 ranking by College Soccer News is accurate? |
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Alan Dawson: Obviously that ranking came with the expectations of him playing. But until someone
knocks us off we consider it accurate. |
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| Kathy, Virginia Beach: I read how you guys have a 18 game home unbeaten streak. Do you put any emphasis on that, especially with the Stihl coming up this weekend? |
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Alan Dawson: No, we don't talk about the streak, but we do talk about taking care of business at home. It is very tough to win on the road, so you want to try to win as many as you can
at home. We will be very focused for this weekends matches in the stihl classic. |
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| Rick (Norfolk): Have you had any offers to coach on the professional level? Do you have any desire to coach MLS? |
| Moderator: We will answer a few more questions before our time is up. |
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| Rick (Norfolk): Have you had any offers to coach on the professional level? Do you have any desire to coach MLS? |
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| Levittown.: What are the chances of your team breaking the current record of 21-0-0 that Lock Haven set back in 1980? If you need help in accompishing this goal, please call on "Hibbs" to come down there and be your assistant coach.
PS Where'd that ------- Egg go? |
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Alan Dawson: Billy (one of my former college
teammates). Please leave your phone number. You are
the answer to my prayers... |
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| Anders Haugom, Gjøvik, Norway: Hello Coach
Congratulations on a great start of the season! As we all know, getting a good start is vital to the season's success!
I would like you to say a few words about the outlook on the season, in terms of the conference and the non-conference schedule, and also tell us a little bit about this year's roster, especially the freshman class (including Jared and Edson).
Will this be the year where ODU wins the CAA title?
I wish you and the rest of the staff/team all the best these next months, and let them know that Guttorm and I are in contact on a weekly basis, discussing every game!
I will be in touch shortly regarding recrouting. I have spotted some talent that looks very promising.
All the best,
anders |
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Alan Dawson: Anders, good to hear from you and we miss you...
New talent is very good, and
we are excited about Edson,
as well as Jared who is finding
his feet, game by game.
We hope to lift the CAA trophy on your behalf this year. |
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| Mitch (Richmond, Va.): Alan, Is your old coach, the head coach at Penn
State? Did he coach you in College
or back in Ireland? |
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Alan Dawson: My college coach is Michael Parker who is the head coach
at UNC Greensboro. The Penn State coach is Barry Gorman who was my high school coach back in Ireland.
I have the greatest respect for
both. |
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| John (Suffolk): How did you get interested in
the Oakland Raiders?
Good luck this year. |
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Alan Dawson: My college roomate just happened to be a Raiders fan.
Not knowing anything about football, I liked the Raider image, being the bad boys of the NFL. I try to travel each year to the west coast to watch them. |
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| Moderator: Everyone, our time is up. On behalf of Alan Dawson, thank you for participating. Don't forget about the Stihl Soccer Classic this weekend. Good night |
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