Dan Vogelsang runs a tight ship.
Vogelsang, who just finished his second season as St. Joseph-Ogden’s head soccer coach, believes a strict program that focuses on soccer development and life skills has benefited his athletes.
“Our motto since I have been head coach has been ‘TRF’,” he said. “Which stands for team, respect, fun.”
The team aspect means athletes play as a team not as an individual, respect means athletes show respect at all times and fun encourages the athletes to have fun on the field and off.
“We perform community service projects to sow our athletes the important of giving back to the community,” he said.
The changes he implemented to the program did not go unnoticed by other coaches. In fact, one nominated him to be Sectional Coach of the Year for the Illinois High School Coaches Association— and he won.
St. Thomas More Soccer Coach James Johnson nominated Vogelsang for the honor. Johnson said that Vogelsang has changed the culture of the SJO soccer program for the better in a short time.
“He has done this by painstakingly establishing a culture that emphasizes discipline, handwork and character.”
Johnson said that last season Vogelsang sat out his leading scorer versus STM.
“He told me afterwards how people were criticizing him and how even his played were worried about missing their talented teammate,” Johnson said. “Dan’s courage to care for his players more than a result or criticism stuck with me.’
Vogelsang said he was shocked by the honor.
“It is nice to know other coaches have noticed our changes,” he said. “We received multiple compliments about our program throughout the season from other coaches as well as officials. I owe this to our athletes for adapting to our program.”
Vogelsang said many of the players have bought into the values he has tried to instill in his team.
“I believe the players are seeing the benefits of a well disciplined program,” he said. “In the last three years we have had three, soon to be four, athletes graduate and play at the collegiate level.”
Vogelsang said he enjoys everything about coaching the SJO Soccer team and he mostly credits the athletes for that.
“It is amazing watching athletes not only grow in their sport but in life,” he said. “I enjoy watching our athletes achieve their goals along with accomplishing things they didn’t think they could.”
Two local athletes also received All-Sectional Awards.
Oakwood – Dawson Rogers – Senior – Forward – All-Sectional
SJO – Luke Cohen – Junior – Midfield – Honorable Mention All-Sectional
