North Carolina State University Athletics
CARR: Relevance Is Goal No. 1 For Springthorpe
9/30/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
AJ Carr, a 51-year veteran of the sports writing ranks, has joined the GoPack.com staff as a contributing writer. A Wallace, N.C., native and a graduate of Guilford College, Carr spent more than 42 years on the staff at the Raleigh News & Observer, covering generations of Wolfpack sports. Both of his sons, Greg and Brad, are NC State graduates.
BY A.J. CARR
RALEIGH, N.C. - During a recruiting trip to the West Coast and Texas, Steve Springthorpe was reminded of the challenge he faces as NC State’s women’s soccer coach.
While wearing his Wolfpack red shirt with the university logo, he was asked in which league his team competed. Politely, he responded, "The ACC...the best soccer conference in the country."
"Our team across the country is not real relevant now," surmised Springthorpe, who inherited a program that was 0-19-1 against conference opponents in 2007 and 2008.
He intends to make NC State relevant again.
Though not promising overnight success, his Wolfpack recently sent shock waves reverberating around the ACC and beyond by beating No. 11 Virginia 2-1 in its conference opener.
The euphoria evaporated a few days later in a 3-0 loss to Virginia Tech, but a new "we-can-compete" attitude remained.
History suggests the 45-year old Springthorpe, who starred as a goalkeeper at Fayatteville's Methodist College and later played professionally, knows a thing or three about building a program.
Before coming to Raleigh in January, the Georgia native transformed floundering Fresno State into a perennial winner. His five-year tenure with the Bulldogs included two conference tournament championships, one regular-season title, and a program-best No. 22 national ranking.
Thirty-nine players also made the Western Athletic Conference All-Academic team.
Life was comfortable in California for the coach, his wife and four children. He enjoyed the sunny days and had a new, long-term contract. But when the NC State position opened, Springthorpe was granted a release from Fresno State and landed "my dream job."
"Always in the back of my mind, I saw this as a great place to be," said Springthorpe, who remembered the Pack's heyday, when it went to eight NCAA tournaments and played in the 1988 national championship game.
NC State athletic director Lee Fowler, who conducted another extensive coaching search, is confident he hired the man who can lead the Pack back to prominence.
"He understands what it takes," Fowler said. "He's very, very organized; has unbelievable leadership qualities; the girls are happy playing for him, and he's doing a great job recruiting."
The Vision
In his coach's office, a poster proclaiming the team theme of "Dream Big" hangs on one wall.
But dreaming, Springthorpe knows, is just part of the equation. In an effort to regain conference and national recognition, he has expanded recruiting boundaries to "everywhere."
"We've got to win games, we've got to get in the ACC Tournament, we've got to get in the top 25," he said. "We've got to learn how to become relevant."
It will take time, but one prospect in Ohio and another in Texas have already made verbal commitments. In addition to blazing the recruiting trails, Springthorpe is pouring energy into helping the current team achieve. He talked with the seniors about how they can lay a foundation and rekindle the soccer spark at State.
"He has definitely changed the team's mentality," said senior captain Katie Ruiz. "We're much more positive and aggressive in the way we play."
On the field, Springthorpe is kick-the-ball-in-the goal serious. Occasionally he injects a little levity by cracking a joke, Ruiz said.
Defense, a hallmark of his Fresno State squads, could become the strength of this NC State team (6-3-1, 1-1 ACC). But the Pack needs to get physically stronger and attack harder, Springthorpe stressed.
Ruiz, called the "staple of the team" by Springthorpe, has gotten help from freshman midfielder Kara Blosser and forwards Tanya Cain and Paige Dugal to provide a much needed offensive scoring punch.
Dugal, the leading scorer with 16 points, bounced Virginia by scoring two of her team-high seven goals. Blosser has contributed 14 points with six goals and Can has added 10 points with four goals.
"It's about the team, all 11 having to get it done," said Springthorpe, lean and taut with a sparkle in his eyes and conviction in his voice.
Different Path
Ball Ground, Ga., is a small, rural town in a state that's highly passionate about football.
Growing up there, Springthorpe marched to a different drum beat, playing soccer instead at Cherokee High. While successful as a goalie, he wasn't offered scholarships, didn't have money for college, and spent one year after graduation working with a surveying crew.
Months later, remembering Methodist had sent him mail, he decided to join the Division III Monarchs. Good move. After earning all-conference honors three seasons and making All South Region twice, he stayed as a dorm resident director and assistant women’s coach for nine years.
Springthorpe considered becoming a preacher, having studied sociology and religion. Turns out the coach -- a member of Cary's Colonial Baptist Church -- ministers through sports.
He encourages players to participate in Athletes In Action on campus, attend Bible studies, and shares scripture with them. Carved on a plaque in his office is Philippians 4:13‚ ¨I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
“A lot of ministerial work is involved [in coaching]," said Springthorpe, who wants his players to be exemplary leaders, solid students with strong character, and the kind of athletes who put State back on the soccer map.
