Miscellaneous
J.T. is a Head Coach with Mavericks Soccer Club located here in the East Bay of California, and she also has her own private practice as a College Counselor. During our conversation, JT shares about being a pioneer in the game by being a member of both the 1st ODP female team and converting U. Cal Berkeley’s club soccer team to varsity status, how to develop a team culture that promotes lifelong friendships, the stark contrast as she returned to coach at Cal vs. her time as a player there, recruiting the unicorns like Alex Morgan, and helping student-athletes see the forest through the trees as they navigate the pathway to college.Email: Jt.thomas11@yahoo.comWebsite coming...0:30 background in soccer and what J.T. is doing now8:15 Being a pioneer in the game by being a part of the 1st ODP female team and converting Cal Berkeley’s club to varsity status12:30 Lessons learned from pioneering this path for current a future players16:15 Advice for coaches to develop a team culture that promotes relationship-building19:15 Returning to Cal to coach vs. her time there as a player23:45 recruiting for a top program and bringing in players like Alex Morgan28:45 finding the work-life balance in a demanding role of a D1 College Head Coach as a woman31:15 Ways to get more female coaches and leaders involved in the game38:00 Experience as a Coach at the top level that prepared JT for her work as a college counselor44:45 recommendations for student-athletes to manage their expectations and understand the pros and cons of different schools at different levels48:15 Final three coaching points53:30 One piece of advice for any coach