Bio of Robert Woodard The Author

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The Author

Robert Woodard was born in New York, NY and grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. Like most boys his age, he dreamed of becoming the next Jim Brown and playing for the Cleveland Browns. He moved to Florida in the 60s and experienced its turbulent evolution from the Old South to the New South. Robert attended the University of South Florida in Tampa when the Tampa Bay Rowdies played in the North American Soccer League and became a soccer fan and player. After graduation, he moved to St. Louis where he was discovered by a local club and began to play soccer in earnest. While in St. Louis, he earned tryouts with Major Indoor Soccer League clubs and an opportunity to train in Ipswich, England with other professional prospects. He founded Northside United in St. Louis, a club devoted to training the best players in the urban areas of St. Louis to prepare for college soccer. In 1982, he returned to Tampa in preparation for a coaching career. Several years later, he joined the staff at Bloomingdale High School which proceeded to win three Florida State Championships and one of the highest winning percentages in US history.

Coaching Experience:

Bloomingdale High School Valrico, FL
Associate Head Coach

Florida State Champions 1993, 1995, 1998

USA Today/National Soccer Coaches Association of America Top Ten 1993, 1995, 1998, 1999

Northside United Football Club St. Louis, MO

Blake Magnet School Tampa, FL
Robinson High School Tampa, FL

Temple Terrace U-16 Select Temple Terrace, FL

Brandon Magic U-17 Brandon, FL
Florida Cup Final Four 1996

Soldan High School St. Louis MO

Vashon High School St. Louis MO

Education:

BA Physical Education                                  University of South Florida Tampa, FL
BA Psychology                                             University of South Florida Tampa, FL

English National Goalkeepers Centre
Ipswich, England
Sports Psychology                                         IMG Academy Bradenton, FL
Sports Psychology
The Football Association London UK
NSCAA Advanced Regional Diploma
Tampa, FL

Memberships:

National Soccer Coaches Association of America Black Soccer Coaches Committee
Executive Council – Editor BSCC News Bulletin
Manchester United Supporters Trust
Tampa Bay World Cup '94 Task Force
Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists

Publications:

Black Sports The Magazine
US Youth Soccer Kwik Kicks
New African Soccer Magazine
Black Enterprise.com
St. Louis American