Southwestern College Women’s Soccer – Coach Joe Schwartz

On today’s episode, I speak with Coach Joe Schwartz from the Southwestern College Women’s Program in Kansas. We talk about what tournaments he likes to scout and what he’s looking for in players. We cover their team size and use of a reserve squad. Lastly, we discuss how their school and student body supports the team and athletic department. Learn more about the Southwestern program.

[00:00:00] Matt: Hi, everybody. Welcome to DiscoverCollegeSoccer.com. I am excited today to be joined by coach Joe Schwartz. Coach is from Southwestern college, which is actually in Kansas. So not to throw anybody off by the directional name there. Um, uh, welcome coach. Glad to have you today.

[00:00:22] Coach: Glad to be here.

[00:00:22] Matt: So let’s kick it off.

[00:00:24] Start a little, uh, start talking a little bit about how you do your recruiting. Um, so when do you start looking at players or when to players usually start contacting you? Like when, you know, are they freshmen, sophomores, juniors, et cetera.

[00:00:38] Coach: Yeah. So we’re finishing up our 22 class right now. Um, we’re pretty much done talking with everyone that we’re interested in.

[00:00:45] Um, we always keep a couple extra spots on the roster for, you know, just in case we picked up a very good mid-fielder at the, at the end of the summer, um, in June, actually of last year. So, um, You know, it’s never too late to contact us. Um, we’re really starting to hit our 20 three’s pretty hard, and this is actually my first year in charge of the program.

[00:01:07] So, um, kind of where we want to be is about this time. Looking at the, you know, we’re looking at the 23 class, so next spring, we want to start off in about February looking at the 24 class really hard. Um, but we’ll, we’ll talk with anyone we’re talking to a couple of 24s right now. A couple of 25 have reached out to us.

[00:01:26] So. Um, we won’t ignore you for sure, but, um, that’s, that’s kind of our. Our timeline and everything in terms of what we’re, we’re looking at. So, so how many, how

[00:01:37] Matt: many inbound communications do you think you get in it in a day or a week?

[00:01:44] Coach: It’s hard to measure a lot. Um, you know, we get a lot of international. Um, contacting us, um, we’re we’re on field level and the NCSA, um, website. So we get quite a few recruits every week that are interested in, or reach out to us and send us emails and things like that. Um, and, and so it’s it’s, or just straight up email or text us.

[00:02:08] So between me and my assistants, I think that we probably get at least 10 to 20 on a, on a, on a slow week. So, uh, quite a few. Okay.

[00:02:19] Matt: What are some of the things you’d like to see in that first communication from a recruiter?

[00:02:24] Coach: It’s really nice to see that they actually, um, you know, know about our school a little bit, um, whether they’re interested in a certain major or area of study or they know our mascot, which is kind of a unique mascot, um, or they know that we’re the Southwestern in Kansas and not the one in Oklahoma or Texas or California.

[00:02:43] Um, and so, you know, Nice to that. They’ve done a little bit of research about our school and it’s not just a generic email, you know, that you could tell that they send out. Sure.

[00:02:53] Matt: So where do you spend a majority of your time on the, on the recruiting trail? What are some of the tournaments you like to get to?

[00:03:00] Uh, or, or do you go check out high school games? Where, where do you tend to spend a lot of your time?

[00:03:06] Coach: Yeah, again, this is my first year kind of in charge of the program. And, um, actually my first year as a college coach, um, as well, so, um, It’s we, we generally like to hit the, the local, um, you know, tournaments and showcases and things like that as often as we can.

[00:03:24] Um, I think it’s great to bring in local talent because you get a good fan base from that. And that’s something that we, um, you know, really look for. You know, fans are important and we want to be, um, supported locally. Um, but you know, we’re planning on going to Las Vegas for the big showcase there in March.

[00:03:42] Um, you know, we were. Looked at going into, to, down to Florida. Um, we do a lot of our recruiting in Texas. We have a lot of, a lot of our players reach out from there. Um, so we’re not really, you know, as long as it’s in our budget to go and we think it’s a good showcase. We’re we’re not opposed to going. We do go to some high school games as well.

[00:04:02] Um, you know, I think something and I’m sure a lot of. College coaches feel this way is when we go somewhere, we want to try to get the best bang for our buck, especially with our budgets and everything. So showcases are typically. Easier. Um, because there’s some many teams there and so much talent, um, that we can see a lot of players at, um, you know, uh, without having to do a lot of travel, you know, all in one place.

[00:04:27] So, but we do like to go and support local, like I said, getting out to high school games and things like that, um, during their season. Um, it makes

[00:04:35] Matt: sense. What about, uh, camps, how to camps kind of fit into your recruiting process, whether that’s your own or other.

[00:04:42] Coach: Yeah, we’ve, we’ve gone to a couple of local camps.

[00:04:44] Um, there’s some clubs, um, locally that, that run different ID camps and things like that. And so we, we always go to those. Um, just because again, we’re, we’re interested in local talent and, um, But, uh, we do run a couple of our own ID camps. We actually just ran one, um, this past, um, January and had about 40 girls there.

[00:05:06] So it was, it was good to see, um, a mix of kind of 22s, 23s. And I think a couple 24s came to that. So, um, and we’re looking to get. You know, run a couple more of those this semester, but I definitely think it’s important to bring in those players. And so they get their kind of their first experience on a college campus, meet the girls, see the, um, you know, talk about financial aid and talk with professors, things like that.

[00:05:32] So,

[00:05:33] Matt: no, that’s great. So do you have a set number of players that you try to bring in every year?

[00:05:39] Coach: Um, not really. You know, I think generally we try to bring in 10 just because we, we we’ve graduated about that many this year, we graduated seven, so a little below that, but, um, we, when we recruit, we really just talked to the positions and the types of players that we need.

[00:05:59] Um, and so we, we try to run a roster of between. 33 and 40. Um, so just trying to maintain that because of, you know, some players get injured, ineligible, things like that. Um, and, uh, and then we don’t out recruit a position either. We, we only, you know, have a certain number of spots available for each position.

[00:06:23] Um, that way it stays competitive in terms of, you know, who’s competing for that, that first team spot, um, or, you know, starting versus a sub player, things like. So

[00:06:37] Matt: let’s just for the heck of it, we’ll say four 40 on the roster, but, uh, so what is kind of the breakdown of, of kind of scholarships and that I know you guys are in NAIA, so you know, how many of those players are going to be on, on athletic money versus academic money, et cetera.

[00:06:54] Coach: Yeah, the way we do our scholarships, um, we do scholarship stacking. So everyone on the team is an as a, as an athletic scholarship. Um, not everyone has the same scholarship. We can offer a range, um, but everyone’s scholarships, um, and also receives academic and academics just on a scale based on your, either your act or sat score, whichever test you take as well as your GPA.

[00:07:17] So you could actually go to our website and see where, how much, um, academic money. You would perceive, um, and then you can also add any type of scholarship locally that you did or nationally, and, um, We are a Methodist affiliated. Um, so we don’t have, you know, required chapel or you have to sign a live contract or anything like that, but we do church matching and you don’t have to be Methodist to receive that church matching.

[00:07:43] So that’s another financial option. Um, And of course the FASFA. Yeah. Everyone enjoys that, um, determines the grants and the loans and things like that. But, um, really you can add as many scholarships and things onto your packages as you want. So because of how we, you know, we do the stacking. That’s awesome.

[00:08:04] Matt: All right. Well let’s um, well I guess one more question on that is. On your, on the recruiting side of things. Do you guys look at transfers at all? And do you have any walk-ons that come on at all?

[00:08:18] Coach: Yeah, and like I said, even if they, they walk on, they just come and, and, you know, trial with us, um, they would receive an athletic scholarship, but, um, we’re actually bringing a couple of transfers in this year.

[00:08:30] Um, and like I said before, we try to keep our numbers really balanced. We don’t want one class to have like, you know, 20 players in it. Um, and, but, uh, you know, we bring transfers into maybe filling gaps of where we think we need some more experience, whether that’s, you know, on the mental side, maybe we need someone coming in.

[00:08:47] That’s kind of been there, done that kind of thing, or if it’s for a specific position and things like that. So we’re bringing in. Two or three transfers this, this upcoming season to kind of fill in some gaps. Um, in terms of, we need some, some experience on the field, a little bit more uncertain in certain spots.

[00:09:06] Well,

[00:09:07] Matt: let me dive into that a little bit. So you just mentioned, you know, wanting someone who maybe has some experience or, or a specific mental, uh, you know, capacity or something that, you know, a little bit of edge to them, whatever that may be. But, so what, what are some of the things that you, when you are recruiting.

[00:09:23] That you’re, you’re looking at, whether that’s on the field or off the field, what are some of the, you know, tier one, like I got to have this in a player.

[00:09:30] Coach: Yeah. Well, of course, you know, um, there has to be a certain level of technical ability and tactical understanding, you know, athleticism, some things like that.

[00:09:40] Um, but it really, what we’re looking for in players is kind of more of a mentality, you know, besides they have to, they should be a good soccer player. Obviously we want to bring good players. And, um, when we want someone. You know, it seems to have a good attitude on the field. Um, works hard. I think that, you know, that that’s something that can’t really be coached.

[00:10:00] It’s just that mentality that I’m going to, you know, put it in a harsh, hard day’s work. Every time I step on whether that’s training or the game. And someone that we feel that we can help improve, you know, and it’s coachable. I think that that’s huge, especially for the way that we play. Um, but, um, you know, definitely they, they need to pick a good player.

[00:10:21] Um, but, uh, I think in terms of the, the mental side of things, just, you know, being a hard worker, being coached. Um, w we don’t really take into account the way they play that their position necessarily. I mean, if they don’t do something exactly how we would do it, tactically, for all we know their, their club coach or their high school coach told them to play that.

[00:10:42] Right. Um, and so when we recruit, we look for those kind of those aspects, I just, uh, you know, talked about, especially in the first time that we watched them play. Um, and then we reach out to them. We get to know them a little bit more as a person, um, and see how they might affect our team chemistry and things like that.

[00:11:00] Um, and then we, we really want to get them to campus, to train with the girls and. Kind of in an environment, um, you know, a college environment where they’re going to train with us and play with us and just see how they do with that. Okay.

[00:11:16] Matt: Sounds good. Well, let’s talk a little bit more about your school.

[00:11:19] Uh, you know, I’m down here in Florida and I willing to bet a whole lot of money that a lot of the kids at my club would have never heard of Southwestern college in Kansas. So, um, what, what is something that, uh, Or a couple of things that, that you’d like to share that that’s awesome about Southwest. And then maybe I’m not going to find just by clicking around the website.

[00:11:42] Coach: Yeah. I mean, I think the biggest thing for me, cause I’m actually an SC alum. I played for the men’s side back in 2011 through 13. Um, The biggest thing that makes Southwestern special place. Um, and I wouldn’t have come back if I didn’t like it right here. Um, it was just the staff. The staff are incredible.

[00:12:03] Um, they’re very supportive of the athletes and I know you don’t always get that a lot from the academic side of things. Um, I’ll give you an example. Our captain got a concussion. And before she, you know, got back to well, when she got back to her dorm room, she, you know, checked her email or saw she had notifications and three of her professors that already emailed her, that was like, don’t worry about coming to class.

[00:12:27] We’ll postpone your assignments. Um, get better, you know, those types of things. Cause they come to the game. Um, you know, they’re supportive of, of what we’re trying to do. And I think that’s pretty awesome. And like I said, I really enjoy my time here and that’s kind of my goal as a coach is to, um, you know, help them be successful on the field, but help them have a great experience at Southwestern as well.

[00:12:49] So the staff definitely make a huge difference in the, and um, everyone’s time here at, at SC. So that’s

[00:12:57] Matt: great. At SC, how, how does student athletes kind of balance their academic and athletic endeavors at the same time?

[00:13:07] Coach: Yeah. So the way we do our schedule is we try to avoid anything around the core class time, you know, about eight to three.

[00:13:14] Um, and so normally our, our weights, our training, all of that in the late afternoon and evenings to accommodate that. Obviously we have games and, you know, we might have to travel and things like that. But, um, in terms of that, the staffer are really good about working with student athletes. Um, you know, as coaches, we’ll send out emails at least 24 hours before if who’s traveling, but we also expect our athletes to reach out to the professors and, you know, set up appointments.

[00:13:44] If they’re going to miss a test or an exam, something like that. Or a lab, um, to kind of make that up. But, um, we also, um, require study hall for those that have below a 3.0 GPA and all incoming freshmen, their first semester to help them transition and be successful. Um, we take our academics very seriously.

[00:14:05] Um, and there’s also free tutoring, um, for specific majors, but also just in general in the student center, which is really nice. But, um, But those are just a couple of ways that, um, you know, they can help be supported academically, um, but also be successful athletically.

[00:14:24] Matt: No, that’s great. Uh, which actually brings me to my next question.

[00:14:28] You know, what, what support mechanisms are there in place either, either from the academic side or the athletics? For students to take advantage of while they’re, while they’re in school.

[00:14:38] Coach: Yeah. So, like I mentioned before, the, the free tutoring, um, not some specific majors will have, um, a graduate graduate assistant that leads that tutoring.

[00:14:47] Um, but there is just generic, you know, um, student tutoring in the student life center. Um, and also, like I said, when we do study hall, it’s it’s, um, the coaches are there. As well. So, um, or they get into study groups and a lot of times the girls that don’t have to come to study hall will come to study hall just to have a quiet place to work or to help someone else.

[00:15:09] So, um, cause many girls during the same major or have taken, um, you know, classes previously to help, um, some of their teammates out. Um, so those are just a couple of ways. Um, we do have also have an early alert system. So if a student’s struggling. Whether that’s in assignments or attendance or on tests.

[00:15:28] Um, we as coaches get notifications from their professors about where they’re struggling. Um, that way, you know, mom and dad are on the same page, you know, the players trying to play us against each other. So that communication is, is huge. Um, I feel between the, the athletic staff and the, the academic staff.

[00:15:49] And so it’s, it’s a, it’s a good relationship. No. That’s

[00:15:52] Matt: awesome. You mentioned a minute ago about, you know, needing to miss classes for travel, you know, games, of course that’s going to happen no matter where you’re at, but how far do you guys usually travel for, for games? Kind of what’s your standard radius during the season?

[00:16:06] Coach: So typically. Um, I would say when we’re away, we’re going to travel on average two to three hours. So not, not too bad. Our farthest away is maybe five, five hours. So we have one team that’s in Nebraska and work really close to the Oklahoma border. So, you know, we have to drive basically the, the, um, up through the state.

[00:16:28] Um, but most of our teams are along the interstate. There. We have one down in Oklahoma. Um, so it’s not too, not too.

[00:16:38] Matt: Um, Let’s talk a little bit about the team. Uh, you know, if I’m, if I’m an incoming freshmen, you know, what, what should I expect? Do I have a shot at plan? Or, uh, you said you, you, you carry a heavy, heavy roster.

[00:16:52] Do you guys have like a JV reserves situation or anything?

[00:16:57] Coach: Yeah. So our philosophy is if you’re good enough, you’re old enough. We’ll play. We’ll play true freshmen. Um, we actually did this past year. Um, one of our, our center backs, we play three back. One of our center backs. Um, incoming freshmen started off on our reserve squad, um, earned some time on first team.

[00:17:14] And then, um, You know, got an opportunity to start and just took it and ran. Um, she ended up actually ended up getting COVID after she heard her starting spot and had to go through that two, three weeks of being gone and recovering came back and had to start over again, reserve squad, uh, and you know, by the end of the season though, she was there starting again and deserved every minute.

[00:17:36] So. We use our, we do have a reserve squad. Um, I think that a lot of four-year programs you’re going to see, uh, you know, rosters close to 30, um, no matter where you’re at. So, um, and for us, that’s kind of frustrating for those 10, 12 players that don’t. Picked or don’t get a lot of playing time, if any. So we’re, we push kind of closer to that, that 40 mark.

[00:18:01] Um, so we can have that reserve squad. Um, we use it more like a, a bell curve than a, you know, a varsity JV, everyone trains together. Um, so we have, you know, everybody for the most part right here, of course you have your, you have your outliers, right? Some, some players that need a little bit more development, whether that’s physically or mentally, you’re just technically tactically.

[00:18:24] And then you have your players, as long as they’re doing what they’re supposed to, you know, they’re fantastic. And, and, um, you know, everyone would agree that they should start and play a lot of minutes. Uh, But the reason we do that is, um, we’re we need to develop players. Um, you know, we, everyone has scholarships, but the way we do our scholarships and we definitely can’t offer, uh, full rides or, um, anything like that.

[00:18:48] So we have to develop players, um, and you know, from, from coaching that it only takes, you know, one game and you could have two or three injuries. And so we want to make sure that those players. You know, are on reserve or ready to make the jump to first team, if, you know, if, and when they, they, they need to go there.

[00:19:07] Um, so training together and in, you know, it’s also a good competitive thing because if you’re starting on first team, um, you know, your spot’s not safe. It’s not your spot because someone’s right there gunning for you. And it’s going to be ready to take that spot. And, you know, um, if, if, um, they need to, um, And so it worked really well for us this past year.

[00:19:32] Um, of course communication is huge with that. Um, because you know, everyone wants to play first team. Everyone wants to start. Um, but we, we definitely make sure that the girls are aware that being on reserved is not a bad thing. That’s your time to shine and show us that you’re ready for first team. Um, but, uh, like I said, we it’s, we don’t do it by, by grade or anything.

[00:19:54] It’s definitely by. Ability. Um, we start our best 11. Um, we suit up our best 20-22. Uh, And it goes back and forth. It’s if you’re on first team, you’re definitely, you know, not safe. Like I said, you shouldn’t get comfortable. And if you’re on reserve squad, you could easily be in first team within the next match.

[00:20:16] Um, our team that we started with at the beginning of the year looked a lot different than the team we ended with. Um, and so it’s, it’s, uh, we’re. Uh, we’re a development program. Um, and so getting playing time for those players is very important to us because training’s great, but you got to get that experience at the college level, um, in, in games, especially in positions that don’t get subbed a lot, like centerback and goalkeeper, um, and, uh, you know, we want them to be ready for when their number is.

[00:20:47] So, um, but that’s kind of how we use our reserve squad and, and our, our system, um, in order to be competitive, not just within our team, but also to develop players so we can be competitive in our conference.

[00:21:00] Matt: That’s good. Um, in terms of coaching staff, you know, how many do you have, what is everybody’s role, uh, on the staff?

[00:21:08] Coach: Yeah, so, um, I’m head coach and I have an assistant, um, who for our field players, um, as well as a, um, he’s a GA and I also have a shared goalkeeper GA. We share him with the men’s. Um, they’re both fantastic and a huge part of our success this past year. Um, But we also have an athletic trainer who’s just for our team.

[00:21:30] We don’t share him with the men’s program, which I think is huge. Um, so it’s, it’s great for when the girls, you know, whether they have, you know, a little knocker, you know, we had a couple that unfortunately, you know, had an ACL injury or something like that. They can go in and they basically have an app and they set an appointment.

[00:21:47] They go in like the doctor and get their treatment and they’re, they’re done. So he’s fantastic. He comes with us to all our away games. You know, he’s there at all our training sessions. He’s, he’s very, a very important member of our, of our staff. Yeah. Um, we also have a strength and conditioning coach, so that’s their full-time job.

[00:22:09] Um, they’re professionals in that, and it’s great that I don’t have to go in there and try to teach people how to lift and, and do that kind of thing. And he has a GA as well. So, um, so really we. You know, uh, he’s not just for us. He obviously, they, they work with everyone, but, um, he, he’s fantastic. And, um, you know, he’s been really, really good for we’re in our off season now and, um, their movement we’ve really been kind of back for a couple of weeks and their movement’s already so much better.

[00:22:41] Um, and so he’s, he’s really good at what he does. So yeah. Let’s

[00:22:45] Matt: talk a little bit about that off-season program. What’s right. You know, what does that look like? Um, for, from, you know, we’re, we’re talking in February, you know, what is that like, I guess from that January coming back from break through, through the spring.

[00:22:59] Coach: Yeah. So our we’re really focused on in the fall when we’re in season is, is, um, performance, right? Getting our team ready to perform and to go as long into post season as we, as we can. Um, which is always a, is a challenge. For freshmen, I think to understand they, I think they think when they come in in the fall, they’re going to get a lot better and we’re going to focus on individual player development.

[00:23:25] Um, but that’s really what we focus on in the spring. Um, and even our sophomores this year kind of struggled with that because, um, if we think. To last year with the COVID season and kind of having split, they didn’t really get a true off season in the spring. They were still, you know, performing in, in, in, in season.

[00:23:43] Um, so, uh, you know, we obviously had individual meetings with them and talk to them about that. And, um, they’re really excited for the spring as are we, because, like I said, uh, we’re development program, um, and, um, And, uh, I’m really excited to get started. This is actually our first week that we’re starting our, our training.

[00:24:04] Um, so because we have a 24 week rule, so there’s only 24 weeks out of the year that we can train our athletes with a ball and a coach. Um, we use 14 of those weeks in season, so we have 10 left. Um, and so this is the first week. And that we can, we can, we can train them with the ball. Um, now before this, they could start weights and, um, they did pick up games and they’re very good about, um, the captains about getting them together and, and, you know, doing a little bit of training and playing and things like that.

[00:24:37] Um, very dedicated group, which is great to see. But really our spring season is all about development. Um, we do position specific training. Um, so it’s, we break them up into their positions and we just focus on the, the roles and responsibilities and the technical and tactical things that we want them to do.

[00:25:00] In their position. Um, and so we, we had them set to three goals of what they want to work on individually. And that helps us kind of focus our training when we have the group, but we can still focus on those individuals as well. Um, so they’re getting a lot more one-on-one um, during that time, Which I think is huge for, for player development.

[00:25:24] Um, but we also do things, uh, we do team pull team training, where we put those position specific principles we work on and, you know, put all those gears together and see how it works as a team. Um, but we do foot Saul, um, because, um, it’s, it’s cold here right now. So outdoor training is always a thing. Um, so we, we do a lot of football in India.

[00:25:44] Um, as well, um, as well as, you know, uh, we have, uh, an indoor facility where they can go and work on, on things, um, on their own. So we, we had them put together an individual player development program. Um, and it’s something that we as coaches look at frequently, um, to help them stay on track. Of where they need to be and what they need to work on, give them ideas for, you know, drills and activities and different things that they, they can focus on on their own because doing the position specific stuff, and the team training is great and they will improve.

[00:26:19] But that working on, on your own, um, is, is going to help, you know, just increase that, that growth. Um, and that’s really what we’re shooting for, um, to help give them ideas and prime them, um, this spring so that they can continue that over the three months of summer. Um, so they can come and fit, um, mentally ready and, uh, you know, have a great understanding of what they need to do to be ready for that the August season.

[00:26:51] Matt: So having said all that, we’re we, you know, you’re going into the season. What. Would you describe your style of coaching and your team’s style of play?

[00:27:00] Coach: Yeah, so we call it purposeful possession. Um, we, we, uh, like to build out of the back, but we recognize that that’s not always an option depending on who you play.

[00:27:10] Um, but we, we definitely want to be comfortable with the ball and something that we. Focus on in training is, um, playing quickly and how we define that is by making quick decisions. I’m not always physically playing fast. Um, and so, you know, is it, do we need to dribble to take this person on or we play the ball?

[00:27:31] Are we looking to switch the play? Um, It’s, uh, we definitely want to be able to play through the thirds. Um, and we kind of run it. Uh, you need formation in terms of our conference. Most teams run a 4, 3, 3. Um, we run a 3, 4, 2, 1, um, and, uh, it’s nothing that we did to be fancy or anything. We just didn’t have any outside backs or, or not enough outside backs to, to run any stuff.

[00:27:57] I had a lot of center backs. And so we started with the three back system and, um, it’s worked really, really well for us. Um, so our coaching style is, um, you know, I, I, uh, I don’t really know how I’m, I’m pretty laid back. Um, I expect a lot of my players, um, and we don’t really have any rules on our team. We have standards cause rules can be bent and broken and, you know, gotten around some way.

[00:28:23] But, um, you know, we really empower our leaders. On our team, our leadership counselor, our captains to, to, you know, help players stay on track of where they need to be. Um, and, uh, and as, as coaches, we, we want to put our players in positions to be successful, whether that’s on the field or off the field. Um, and so we, we have high expectations.

[00:28:47] Academically and athletically. Um, and, um, I think something that’s really, really important to me as a coach is communicating. Um, whether that’s, you know, telling the player where they’re at on the team or whether a player is coming to us and, you know, having that difficult conversation of why aren’t they getting the playing time that they think they deserve or whatever like that.

[00:29:11] So. Okay.

[00:29:13] Matt: Well, Hey, this has been, this has been great. I’m going to get to our last question here. This is, this is kind of the catch all this is where, uh, I give you a chance to tell me what else do you want to let prospects or recruits know that maybe we didn’t cover that, that they should know about, about se.

[00:29:31] Coach: Yeah. I mean, it’s a, it’s a great school. Um, it’s a smaller school. I think the average class size is a 12 to one ratio. Um, I know as a, as a student myself from sci, I really enjoyed that. You really get to know your professors, um, and have a good relationship with them. In fact, um, I, I was a biology major.

[00:29:51] Um, and one of our biology professors, uh, my, my wife went there as well. Um, our kids call her grandma, Tammy. So you just, you can, yeah. You just build that relationship with your professors and the staff. And, and it really is, um, you know, it’s kind of a cliche, you know, a family, but it really is, you know, um, people come back and, and, and, um, with the first small school, there’s, there’s so much spirit.

[00:30:16] Um, we get so much support from this student body. Um, and, and from the staff as well, and our, our home games are usually pretty loud and it’s with a school of only, you know, six, 700 students to have that many in our stands. And that travel is pretty fantastic. Um, but it’s just a great place, you know, if I think you have to experience for yourself and, um, but, uh, so definitely interested if anyone wants to take a virtual tour or, you know, Come see us, then we’re definitely willing to, to host and, and share our beautiful campus in school with, with, uh, whoever wants to enjoy it.

[00:30:56] Matt: Awesome. Well, hopefully we’ll get some folks taking advantage of that and checking out, checking out Southwestern, and I appreciate your time. Wish you the best of luck in this off season in the coming fall. And, uh, and hopefully you guys can, uh, can take home that, that conference champion.

[00:31:13] Coach: That’s what we enforce.

[00:31:14] So.

[00:31:15] Matt: All right, well thank you much, coach. Appreciate it. Take care.

[00:31:18] Coach: You too.