Coaches' Corner: Assistant Men's Soccer Coach Ryan Carruth

I have had the opportunity to work at five different universities at the Division I, II and III levels. Most recently I was the head coach of men's soccer at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio for one year. Prior to that I was an assistant coach at Point Loma Nazarene University (2012-2014) and San Diego State University (2010-2012).

UCR is one of the most culturally diverse college campuses in America. That for me is what makes this place very special. We have students, faculty and staff from all walks of life. With issues of race, social injustice, and inequality on forefront of the socio-political landscape in our country right now, UCR represents a wonderful opportunity for people of diverse backgrounds to stick together regardless of the differences that may exist between us.

My experience has taught me that these differences between people are minute when compared to the many commonalities which bind us together. That which connects us is far stronger than that which divides us.

I have also learned that there is nothing stronger than a diverse group of people who are willing to accept one another unconditionally, and work together towards a common good. UCR provides us with an opportunity to come together and learn that we are at our best as a team, a campus, a community or as an entire nation when we work together as one, not when we are divided.

We as a coaching staff want to inspire a shared vision of excellence wherein coaches and student-athletes have equal ownership in the collective pursuit of excellence. This spring we invested a lot of time in working as a team to create our core values and set some clear expectations about who we want to be. We collectively decided that our goal is to foster a healthy championship culture where student-athletes and coaches are invested in relationships built on trust and respect. We believe that the strength and authenticity of the relationships we cultivate with one another will serve as the 12^th man we need to overcome obstacles and push through tough moments.

Central to our vision are our core values of Teamwork, Courage, Excellence and Loyalty—values which our players worked together to determine how we define each value and the expectations for us as individuals in terms of how we need to live our lives around here.

At the pinnacle of this team ethos project is our desire for UCR soccer to function more like a family, than just a soccer team. It has been so gratifying to watch our players come together through this process and take high ownership over this collective vision we have created. The best is yet to come!

Considering that I have only been on staff for a short while, I have not had too much experience with the Athletics Association. However, its' been great to see some of the initiatives happening during the winter and spring sports calendars. I look forward to seeing some exciting things happening with the Athletics Association and men's soccer in the future. We are grateful for all the support as we look to turn big dreams into reality!

We hope that student-athletes in the program have a wonderful experience so that when they graduate as alumni they still feel a connection and want to come support us during the fall, attend alumni games/events, and want to contribute to our fund raising goals.

Friends and fans of the program are one of our greatest asset. We hope they will continue to show up in droves to support us during the fall and help us create a top quality match night environment and fan experience unrivaled in the Inland Empire.

My greatest moment so far at UC Riverside was being a part of a culture building process this spring with our team which has resulted in stronger relationships, increased sense of purpose, and raising standards without our team. There is nothing more gratifying as a coach to feel that you've played a small part in someone's personal growth, on and off the field.

Building a strong alumni network is a cornerstone of any successful college program. Obviously, there are so many things we would like to do as a program which require us to lean on fundraising. So there are tangible financial benefits of having an alumni base who are excited about backing the program. When alumni have had a positive student-athlete experience during their four years, then they want to get involved to make sure that those student-athletes to come after them can also have a wonderful student-athlete experience.

But there are many other ways alummi can give back to UCR soccer other than writing a check. We have former players who are doing some really cool things in their personal and professional lives. Anytime an alumni can come back to campus and spend some time talking with our players, sharing experiences, and lending advice, our guys take so much away.

We really want to develop a strong alumni network and truly hope that guys will always see UCR as a home away from home, regardless how many years have passed since their "glory" days came to an end.

Something people might not know about me is that I am passionate about growing food! For eight years while living in San Diego, I built an organic farm in my backyard and grew fresh fruits and vegetables year around. Delicious and nutritious!

Go Highlanders!

Coaches' Corner: Assistant Men's Soccer Coach Ryan Carruth

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