Dallas College Cedar Valley Women’s Soccer – Coach John Antonisse

In today’s episode, I speak with Coach Antonisse from the Cedar Valley Women’s Program in Texas. We talk about his heavy focus on high school recruiting. Coach also shares about the school’s great balance between school, sport and life. Plus, we discuss his player-centric and supportive coaching style. Learn more about Dallas College Cedar Valley Women’s Soccer.

Matt: [00:00:00] Hi everybody. Welcome to Discover College Soccer. Today I am lucky enough to be joined by Coach John at Dallas College Cedar Valley. Welcome coach. 

Coach: Glad to be here. 

Matt: Thanks for coming on. I, you know, we’re just chatting and I’m looking up. So Dallas College is interesting ’cause there’s I think six, seven branches, uh, of the college.

Six, I guess outta the seven have sports. So, so you are one of, one of those. So that’s, that’s cool. Um, I guess. You know, being at a junior college program, we’re talking here beginning of February, uh, especially on the girl side. H how much of your recruiting classes locked and loaded and how much do you still got going?

Coach: I probably have half my class locked and loaded, if you will. And then the other half are just right there. Pretty much about to go ahead and, and sign with this. Uh, it. Really for us, it’s, it’s all about Texas High school [00:01:00] season. Uh, as far as Cedar Valley goes, uh, I can’t speak for the other schools, uh, but the high school season for us is really important, um, uh, because of just the makeup of Dallas College, uh, being a, for, uh, primarily, uh, Dallas Independent School district slash surrounding area.

Uh. Community college, which is what we are. 

Matt: Well, hey, I mean, I’m in Florida. We got that winter high school season too, so, uh, I, I, I feel your pain. I in some instances, but, uh, I mean, you got a big, uh, a big Easton l RL event coming, uh, to Texas, I know, this coming weekend as well. Do, do you guys get to, to any of those, like club showcase events, kind of what are the ones that you find, uh, are, are good for you guys?

Coach: Yeah, no, we, we do. Um, and there, there’s some interest, but. Uh, the majority since I’ve been here, this is my fourth [00:02:00] season, and the majority of successful recruiting has come through area high schools. Uh, more so for me personally, uh, even though back when I was at the four year level, I obviously club was, I didn’t even go to high school games.

It was pretty much all club type showcases. 

Matt: Yeah. 

Coach: Kinda like the one in Fort Worth this weekend. 

Matt: Yeah. No, I mean, makes sense. Um. What about ID camps? I know they’re, they’re kind of all the rage these days. Do you guys do any camps? Do you or your staff work external camps? Are they part of the, the process at all?

Coach: Yeah. We’ve done ID camps here and, and they, they, they work really well. I think for small colleges or junior colleges. If you put out the word that you’re having an ID camp and you have, I don’t know, 30 kids show up, that’s usually a pretty good thing, uh, because. You know, we don’t have the name recognition of, of the big gigantic schools.

So if they come to our [00:03:00] ID camp, they’re usually pretty serious about it. And we will typically get a large percentage of those kids to commit to us at some point. So Id camps are great for us. Um, and, uh, or recruiting events. Any kind of recruit day of, of, of any sort is always really good for us as well.

Because if you come to this little school and you’re really interested. There must be, uh, there must be a deeper interest because the big schools get a ton of kids. Uh, they put out an ID camp and they get a lot more than we do. So the kids that come here are specifically targeting, I think, this kind of school.

Matt: Okay. Well that makes sense. Well, whether it’s at a high school game, an ID camp, anything kinda, what makes up that hierarchy of things you’re looking for in a player both on and off the field. 

Coach: Well, I mean, it depends on, you know, positionally, uh, what, what kind of characteristics, I guess, physically we’re looking for as far as just overall, I really want [00:04:00] good character.

Kids. Kids that are gonna be committed, are gonna work hard, are gonna have a good attitude, are gonna, uh, you know, be on time, do the job, and, and you know, just good kids that, that you can rely on. That’s the. The, the biggest factor or the biggest thing that we’re looking for. And then of course, positionally, it could be if we’re looking for, you know, a goalkeeper, we want somebody that might have a little more, you know, height to ’em or, uh, whatever it may be.

You know, center back, same thing. And then of course, wing players we’re looking for players with speed and uh, just the different characteristics that all the positions, uh, mandate. 

Matt: Oh, I get it. Well, 

Coach: yeah. 

Matt: One thing at the junior college level you see more and more of is international students. We’re seeing it at pretty much every level.

Uh, but looking at your guys’ roster, uh, that’s not there, is that intentional? Is it just kind of a byproduct of where you guys are as a school or, or, or what’s that like? 

Coach: I [00:05:00] think at the NJCA Division three level, it’s, it’s similar to the NCAA Division three level in the, in the respect that it’s. We don’t really have any athletic money to offer an international, so an international player’s more likely to go somewhere where they can say, Hey, we’ll give you, uh, full, you know, full tuition and room and board or whatever it may be.

Uh, we don’t have that ability. They have to basically. Find or somehow find some other form of, of scholarship money. We do have scholarships, just not athletic. And so, uh, most of our kids are gonna be domestic. And actually most of our kids are probably gonna be Texas and North Texas in particular. 

Matt: Now, I know when it comes to, to junior colleges, it’s, it’s kind of split whether there’s room and board on campus or not.

Are you guys one of those schools that has housing there or, or not? 

Coach: [00:06:00] No, we’re actually, uh, none of the Dallas colleges have housing and that’s something that every year we bring up because we would love to have housing. That would be a, a huge, uh, boom for our recruiting, if you will. You know, because kids wanna stay on campus and parents want them to stay on campus.

So, you know, I was speaking to a recruit last night and. Thankfully for these parents living in an apartment off campus wasn’t that big of a deal. And I was like, okay, great. Uh, but for a lot of parents, uh, you know, it’s, it’s important they want their kid to be on campus and, uh, we just don’t offer that at any of the Dallas colleges.

So, uh, hopefully it’s something we can, uh, we can see, uh. Later down the road maybe. 

Matt: Okay. Well, well let, let’s talk more about the school itself. Uh, you’ve been there a few years now, and I know you, you’ve been in Dallas a long time, so what are some of the things that you enjoy about the school and maybe some awesome things, maybe some things we wouldn’t even know about going through the website?[00:07:00] 

Coach: Well, so I came from the four year level. I was there, I don’t know, as an assistant and then a head coach for like 25 years or so. And the cost of attendance is a huge difference here. Yes, we’re, I guess, a commuter school, if you will. We don’t have on campus housing, but when you look at us and compare our tuition and fees to the, you know, the typical four year university, I mean, we’re a fraction of the cost.

And then when you compare us to any kind of private university, we’re definitely a fraction of the cost. So the cost of of attendance is really, really, uh, good. I know that. College nowadays, the, the big discussion is it’s just gotten outta hand with the price tag. And so we offer, uh, a good two year education with a reasonable price tag, which I really have found to be, uh, it, [00:08:00] it’s not uncomfortable talking about it like it used to be at the four year level.

Matt: No, I, I, I hear that and, and I, and I’m talking to a lot of kids these days and, and kind of. Again, preaching those benefits. And, and one of the, the things that I know, the, the kids I talk to who do end up taking the junior college route that their biggest focus is in, okay, how’s that gonna help springboard me to, to the next four year college?

So, ha. Have you guys been successful in that arena for the, for the girls who wanna continue on and, and what does that look like? 

Coach: Yes. Uh. To just piggyback on that last point, it’s, it’s, uh, it’s also good that the kids that come here aren’t typically going into debt, so that just wanted to add to that whole thing.

’cause you know, debt’s a big deal now. Um, but as far as springboarding to the four year level, yes. Uh, I have found since being here that. For example, this year we have a around 10 sophomores. Uh, probably half of them [00:09:00] wanna move on to the four year. The other half are, uh, really glad they play two years, but now they wanna focus on their nursing program or whatever.

You know, technical program, they’re, they’re, uh, majoring in is gonna be so demanding. Some of them are just happy with the two years and they’re moving on and becoming more like professional students so they can get the nursing degree and, and or maybe engineering. I got a couple of engineering kids too.

So, uh, yeah, so it’s, it’s, uh, about half of them typically will want to go play. And the year before, I think we had three out of five sophomores that went to go play at the, at the four year level. And, and they’ve enjoyed it. Uh, but again, uh, that’s the beauty of the two year level is that it can springboard kids who need more development.

Especially, uh, some of the kids we’re getting, uh, you know, they need more development. They get to play a lot for two years. It helps [00:10:00] them moving into the four year level. And then those kids who just want to get a taste of college soccer, but yet, uh, you know, have a major that won’t allow them necessarily to play junior, senior, uh, level soccer.

Uh. It’s a good thing too. ’cause they still get to say, Hey, I played college soccer at Cedar Valley or whatever. And that, it’s a great experience, you know how it is. It’s fun. 

Matt: Yeah, 

Coach: absolutely. Um, you know, we have, I, I just, that’s one of the things I really appreciate about this particular, uh, school, is that we have good solid students who, who get the opportunity to play and then afterwards they choose to move on, they can.

And if not, that’s okay too. 

Matt: Yeah. Yeah, well rewind back to October, kind of the heart of that season. Walk me through what does a, what does a typical week look like for a player in terms of winter classes, meals, practices, game cadence, all that kind of stuff? 

Coach: Well, we keep it pretty simple around here. Uh, [00:11:00] you know, the kids are driving in typically, uh, so.

I have to be very cognizant of the demands on them as far as driving time, uh, you know, work, they, most of them all have jobs, so I guess a typical day in the life is they go to classes in the mornings and then in, in the afternoons we practice, you know, I usually block off two to 4:00 PM for practice, and then almost all of them after practice will go to their jobs.

And so somehow they’ve gotta squeeze studying in there. Um, these are busy kids and, and, uh, they’re just really hardworking kids. And, and, uh, they’re, they’re, they’re kind of in the, in the, uh, I don’t wanna say this term, but they’re, they’re kind of like, uh, kids I grew up with who. You know, you were expected to work.

You know, once you turn 16 you gotta go get a job [00:12:00] and uh, you gotta pull your weight a little bit. I think these kids are a lot like that and they try to prioritize everything within the parameters of the day. Um, I don’t know if that answered your question, but. A typical day. That’s kind of how it is. Now, if it’s game day, it’s similar.

They go to class in the morning and then we start preparing for the game. And then we play the game, of course travel or maybe not travel. Um, and then a lot of times you’ll see them studying on, on the trip home, just kind of with a little light from their, from their phone or something, you know, reading whatever they’re supposed to be reading or writing something.

So it it, they stayed really busy. They really do. Yeah. 

Matt: Let’s talk a little bit more about the team, and I mean, you mentioned how many sophomores, but is, is there a roster size that you find is ideal that you’re trying to hit each year? 

Coach: Well, at the four year level, I used to carry anywhere from 28 to 32 kids here.

I have found that anywhere from [00:13:00] about 22 to 24 is a good, healthy roster and, uh. So, yeah, it’s, it’s just different. Uh, these kids put so much into what they’re doing that the one time I had a really large roster here, uh, there were, yeah, it just, there were several kids that didn’t get to play a lot. It just wasn’t very much fun for them.

And so I’ve kind of narrow, I’ve kind of carried it down. A little bit numbers wise. 

Matt: Okay. Well, in terms of the rest of the roster, talk to me about any other staff that help you out or any support staff in the athletic department that help out with the team and what are, what are their roles? 

Coach: Well, I’ve got an assistant coach, his name’s Antonio, led Dema.

He does a great job. He, uh, the kids love him. He does a, he really does a great job with, uh, whatever coaching scenario I put him in. We’ll, usually, sometimes, almost always. [00:14:00] He’ll do a technical warmup or maybe we’ll split the team up a little bit. Um, he does a fantastic job. And, uh, then I also, we also have a academic coach, and that’s the one thing I think I’ve, I just realized is one of the biggest perks, uh, for this little tiny school called Cedar Valley, is that these kids have somebody.

Who is invested in them. And I mean, obviously Antonio and I are invested in the kids. We want the, we, we, we constantly talk to them about academics, but they actually have somebody they can go to, an academic coach, she’s called a success coach, and they can go to her and really get more, I guess, detailed specialized help, which, uh, which really benefits us in the, in the, in the long run.

We were, uh, last year. Last academic year, we were, uh, I think an academic American team or something. So we did really well and it paid off having her, [00:15:00] um, we, uh, we had a little bump in the road academically this fall, but we’re still okay. We’re still healthy. We just gotta get it back to where it was the year before.

Matt: Okay. 

Coach: So, but yeah, that’s, uh, that’s my staff in a sense. And then we have a trainer that, you know, uh, but she’s. Kind of, she’s part-time, so it’s, you know, she’s not around as much. 

Matt: Okay. Well what about you? Talk to us about your coaching style and the style of play you play there. 

Coach: Well, I grew up in the Dallas, uh, area, kind of ground zero where soccer began in North Texas back in the day.

Um, and just grew up playing with a lot of great players and then ended up going to, uh, college at University of Tulsa. Which I really enjoyed. Had a great time, enjoyed playing there. Uh, and then actually after college, I went into sales and marketing with a company for a few [00:16:00] years, but I just couldn’t shake the whole, I wanna be involved in soccer feeling and so.

I talked to some friends of mine and they just said, Hey, why don’t you go out to find out if you really like it? Go volunteer and help with some teams. And so I did and fell in love with it. And of course, uh, one thing led to another and I ended up getting my first. Head coaching job, uh, and then it just built from there.

But, um, I mean my coaching has, it’s really changed a lot over the years. I think earlier in my youthful, uh, days of coaching, um, I was probably. More, I was a little more fiery, I guess, you know, and probably was trying to push him, uh, you know, through my personality, you know, like I’m gonna will them to, you know, to play a certain way.

[00:17:00] And, and it did well. I mean, I did well, but, um, I think now that I’m an a little older coach, I think I understand. I need to just prepare them and I need to. To facilitate their success more than just try to force it upon them. Um, whether it’s the right way or the wrong way, I don’t know. Uh, I know I feel a lot better about my coaching now than I did when I was young.

Uh, because you know, when you’re young and you’re going through all those licenses and things like that, and, you know, I remember going to, you know. All the licenses, the B and the A and then all the what, what used to be the N-S-C-A-A, all those diplomas and things. And uh, I mean it was just development. I was trying to grow into becoming a coach and, and I think the last probably 10 years or so, I finally, uh, got to the point where I’m just, at least I’m.[00:18:00] 

I, I think I have a style and I think it’s probably very player friendly, player centric, and just very, uh, player supportive. Uh, to be honest, uh, I’m not as focused on me as I used to be because back in the day when I’m trying to get all those licenses and different things under my belt, I was really focused on me developing as a coach, whereas now I feel like.

Uh, more player focused. Uh, and I think it’s just, I think I, I, I think if I had to pick who would I play for the young John or the older John, I think I’d pick the older John personally. 

Matt: Well, that’s, that’s a fair self-reflection. I, I think that’s, that’s good to see. Well, 

Coach: coach, you know, had a couple of girls walk in, they may say something different.

Matt: Right, right. Well, I, I really appreciate the time. I’m gonna leave you with one last question, and that is, if you had one piece of advice to give to anybody going through this college recruiting process, what would that be? 

Coach: Ask a lot [00:19:00] of questions. Find out who your coach. Really as, as far as you can know, who is this person?

Um, do your research, ask questions. When you visit, find out is this the type of coach that. That is going to, uh, help elevate you to the, to the level that you wanna be at. Uh, is this the kind of coach that’s gonna support you in your academic, uh, endeavors? Is this the kind of coach that you can go to if you have, uh, something that you really need to, to, to work out possibly, you know, whether it be your, your academics or maybe just a.

I don’t know, a personality thing with some, another player. Is it a coach that you can trust and is it somebody that you, uh, think after a few years? Wow, I’m glad I played there. I think do your homework on the coach. I would say that’s the biggest thing. You know, [00:20:00] when it comes to Dallas College, we have.

Uh, pretty much all the same academics, all the campuses. So really it’s, it’s about, I think who, who’s the coach and, and do I wanna play for them and will they treat me right, et cetera. 

Matt: Yeah, absolutely. Well, coach, thank you so much. Really appreciate it and wish you the best of luck, uh, in the off season here and, and your season this.

Coach: Well, hey Matt, thank you so much. I really appreciate this opportunity to, to speak, so thank you. You have a great program. I loved it. Thank you. 

Matt: Thank you. Thank 

Coach: you. Alright.