Soccer coach goes pro.

Blake New promotes interest in the women's soccer team

For women's soccer Coach Blake New, coaching is just one of the things that will make this coach popular. New is enjoying the best of both worlds by playing professional soccer as well as coaching. New plays on the Cleveland Caps professional soccer team.

The Caps are part of an AA league called United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues (USISL), the equivalent to a minor league farm team in baseball. "But," New says, "there is a possibility of [the Caps] moving to the A league next year." A move to the A league would mean more individual recognition as a player and more financial benefits. "The US system is similar to Europe where there are different divisions of professional soccer," said New.

Getting more recognition as a soccer player would help further New's hopes of generating greater local interest in the soccer program at Oberlin. "Being a coach here is my number one focus, but if I can use my professional career to draw interest to the Oberlin soccer program I will." New became the women's soccer coach this year.

Involvement in soccer at the youth level has already helped get his name out there some, New says, but being on a good professional soccer team will attract attention and interest that New hopes can be directed towards Oberlin College women's soccer. "This should be the highest level of soccer the community can come and see," said New, "and it is."

"One of my biggest goals is to have people come and watch soccer here," New said. "Women's soccer at Oberlin doesn't have as much of a presence as I would like."

New was playing at Cleveland State University when he was drafted by the Cleveland Crunch, a professional indoor team, in 1991. "I only spent a few months with them. I don't enjoy the indoor game as much as the outdoor game," said New, "But there were no professional outdoor soccer leagues then."

After going back to school to get a Masters degree, and a short stint in business, New returned to coaching and coached at Cleveland State University for two years before coming to Oberlin in 1996 as an assistant to Head Coach Mary Gibson. New accepted the offer to become Head Coach of Women's soccer in 1996.

Practicing from 7-10 p.m. three nights a week has not conflicted with New's coaching schedule since the Caps begin their season in late April and play through summer until August 9, shortly before Oberlin soccer begins August 20. "I have been able to do it primarily because of the late practices, I can get out of here earlier now that my coaching duties are done."

"[Playing professional soccer] is like a summer job for you guys," said New, "it's a good way to bring in some extra money." Professional soccer may pay, but the salary is not on par with professional major league baseball players.

A move up to A league, will bring in larger salaries and more recognition. The move depends on the success of the team in the AA league. If the Caps have a successful season competitively and draw in large attendances, they will potentially move to the A league.

The Caps currently have a 2-1 record. The Cleveland Caps won their first home game of the season 3-2 in an overtime shoot-out against the Baltimore Bays. Their first away game they fell to the Bays 3-0, then came out on top against the Indiana Blast 1-0. The Caps play at home next Friday and Saturday at Byers Field in Parma against the Cincinnati Riverhawks and Chicago Stingers, respectively.

"From what I've heard, Baltimore is one of the better teams in the league," said New, "but in a league like this there are no easy games."