By Isabelle Leofanti
If you know Stan Anderson, you already know he’s one of the nation’s top soccer coaches.
If you don’t know of the Hall Of Fame coach, well then you’re probably missing out.
Beginning Sunday in Wisconsin, nearly 500 goalies from across the U.S. will travel to the prestigious Camp Shutout – a week-long learning retreat created by Anderson back in 1989. The massively popular goalie-specific camp attracts 100s of talented goalies all with the same goal in mind: To develop and learn.
“The impetus originally was to train goalkeepers,” said Anderson, who has coached at UW-Milwaukee, Marquette, Loyola, Wisconsin and is currently the goalie coach at UIC and a staff coach with FC United. “(Goalies are) underserved. In many ways, they’re undervalued and undercoached.”
Not only are players, parents and soccer coaches across the country drawn to Anderson because of his experience and knowledge, but his ability to connect with all people and truly push players to a higher level are what separates this leader from the rest.
“You can still push somebody, train them and coach them hard, while maintaining a relationship,” said Anderson, a father of two boys. “Some people don’t think you can do that.
“I want to try to help people go from A to B and then B to C and then C to D,” Anderson said. “If I can be part of that in their career, fantastic. I am all for it.”
Just look at what some players today are saying about Anderson:
Ori Yedlin, a goalie within the FC United system: “Stan is more than a coach. He’s a mentor. His impact on my career is something I will forever be grateful for.”
Malia Zillman, a goalie within the Rockford Raptors system: “Stan has really shown me what it means to be a good goalie and friend. Camp Shutout brings out my love for soccer. It’s great being able to spend countless days with coaches and goalies, who really help me grow and develop as a goalie.”
Carson Shene, who will play at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay: “I’ve been going to Stan’s camp for many years now. Stan has taught me the importance of being a leader on and off the field. Without him, I would not be where I am today.”
While many people praise Stan’s impact on the field, just as many – if not more – rave about his amazing impact off the field in the community.
For example back in 2020, Anderson established a project which allowed him to help raise more than $100,000 for local businesses impacted by COVID.
“That particular project changed my life,” Anderson said. “I met some of the greatest people I’ll ever meet.”
You can read more about that life-changing project Anderson led by clicking here.
For additional information on Camp Shutout, you may visit CampShutout.com or @CampShutout on social media.
