Jalayer brings experience to program
Campus Times
September 17, 1999
The University of La Verne's new men's soccer coach, Shayon Jalayer,
grew up in northern Virginia. Jalayer comes to ULV following 10 years of
coaching elsewhere, including Monrovia High School, where he served as head
boy's coach. He has played for the World Indoor Championships, American
Professional Soccer League, Major Indoor Soccer League, Fairfax Spartans
and the U.S. Olympic Festival, where he won a Bronze Medal.
Last year's soccer campaign did not go well for the University of La
Verne. A roster deep with talent and full of promise failed to mesh, and
a 5-10 record was all it had to show for its efforts.
This year's team looks very similar on paper. A squad loaded with solid
soccer players who have high hopes is again taking the field. However, there
has been one major change in the air around Ben Hines Field.
"You can feel the difference in our practices," said senior
captain Jorge Macias, a midfielder
Players are willing to come together and work hard to improve. That
difference is Shayon Jalayer.
Jalayer is the new head coach of the soccer program, and with him comes
a new attitude -- the same attitude that helped Jalayer earn All-American
honors twice while at Azusa Pacific University. It is the same attitude
that enabled Jalayer to sign a professional contract in 1988 at age 17,
making him the youngest professional in United States history at the time.
But he would rather not discuss his accomplishments. He has a tough
task ahead of him. He is the man assigned to turn the men's soccer program
around.
Jalayer, who was born in Illinois and grew up in Virginia, brings impressive
professional playing and coaching credentials to the table. He played for
the Washington Stars from 1988 to 1993, and also played two seasons with
the Baltimore Blast, of the National Professional Soccer League.
Although this is Jalayer's first collegiate coaching experience, he
is by no means new to coaching. His experience ranges from youth clinics
and local club teams to coaching the Los Angeles Fireballs from the United
Soccer Leagues.
"In Shayon, we are getting a very, very knowledgeable coach,"
said Athletic Director Jim Paschal. "He knows the game inside and out.
But more importantly, he has proven his ability to communicate this information."
However, his most important asset, which does not appear on his resumé,
is that he has the ability to inspire his players.
"Coach Jalayer is the kind of guy who makes me want to give 100
percent every time I take the field," said junior transfer Tom Chambers.
It is this type of charismatic coach that may be the difference between
a talented, underachieving team and a cohesive unit capable of finishing
in the upper half of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
(SCIAC).
Already his presence has made an impact.
"There are no bad attitudes this year. We're playing more cohesively
than in the past," said junior Nathan Swift.
The improved attitude on the team has helped the Leopards to two wins
in the first five games, and although Jalayer says the team has plenty of
room for improvement, the squad seems to be heading in the right direction.
"Coach Jalayer definitely has a plan, and we're improving everyday,"
said Macias.
Dan Trimmer, one of the new assistant coaches, also believes that, with
Jalayer's help, the team will continue to get better.
Trimmer said, "Shayon wants everything from his players, and knows
how to inspire them so that they play to their full potential."
"I want to go out and play well, because I know coach is doing
all he can," said Macias.
Jalayer speaks with a calmness that belies the intensity he brings to
the field. "This team is ready to succeed. We're turning the attitude
around. We want to better last year's record," he said. "That's
a starting point." However, making the playoffs is the long term goal.
The team is accepting his leadership and is working hard to achieve
goals as a team.
"The only way to describe him is intense," said Swift.
"He is just so intense in his motivation," said Chambers.
"He's the kind of guy you want to play for."
Jalayer describes "discipline and a good positive attitude,"
as the pillars of his coaching philosophy. And thus far, players are buying
in to his plan.
The Leopards won their season opener 4-0 against a Hope International
team that scored seven goals against them last season. Jalayer was pleased
with the result, but said the performance was not as good as he would like
it to be.
"Injuries are slowing us down a little bit," he said, adding
that the team is still battling.
What does Jalayer see as keys to a good season? "I think the main
thing I need to do is give the players something to strive for," he
said. "I'm going to try to keep things simple and instill a winning
attitude. The players are all on the same page. They're excited to turn
things around, and show everyone that they can be a good team."
Success in soccer is something Jalayer has known at every level, and
it is beginning to show at ULV. The SCIAC season is long and often unpredictable,
but there is reason to believe that things will improve.
