“It is important to instill the notion to children that when faced with opposition or challenges, they must not be afraid to fail and seize the moment.”
About David
David has over 25 years of experience both playing and instructing others in the goalkeeper position. Dave received an athletic scholarship to play soccer at Caldwell College where he was a two-time NJ Olympic Development Program Selection. During this time, he received the distinction of being a National Goalie War Champion. He graduated with his Bachelor's degree in Health and Physical Education from William Paterson University and went on to play six years of semi-professional soccer for US Parma.
His coaching experience is vast and has included serving as the TSF Academy Goalkeeper Coach where he designed the goalkeeping curriculum at the Developmental Academy level. In addition, his tenure as a coach for the NJYS Olympic Development Program (ODP) provided valuable insight into the demands required of goalkeepers at elite levels of play.
As the technical director of the Paul Blodgett Goalkeeper School, he worked with some of the best goalkeepers in the country. One of his most successful students, Jillian McVicker, recently signed with IK Myran (Finland), a team in the Premier and named in the top 60 goalkeepers in the US.
David works at St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, NJ, where he teaches. He's also an Assistant Coach for the school's soccer team, specifically focusing on goalkeeper coaching. Saint Benedict's Prep Soccer has a remarkable record, winning 14 National Championships, and David was a 2022 National Championship Team member. During the 2022 season, the team only conceded two goals. Additionally, David is the goalkeeper coach for FC Motown (Pro-Am NPSL), who achieved victory in the 2022 NPSL National Championship.
Our mission is to develop the 90-minute goalkeeper.
A 90-minute goalkeeper is one that devotes themselves entirely to the full length of the game. At times, this goalkeeper assumes other responsibilities outside of their position in order to execute what is most effective in the field.
Perfection is the mindset; this ideal develops through engaging in specific exercises, building confidence, instilling a love for the game, and in enhancing a player's overall knowledge and insight.
Philosophy
We believe that confidence is a crucial component in developing a successful goalkeeper. By striking a balance between success and failure, our students are using tools in decisive moments during training sessions in which they can apply to game situations. Within our goalkeeper training sessions, there are moments we embrace mistakes. Learning from mistakes is an excellent opportunity for growth. When confidence is developed, the goalkeeper feels prepared for any moment of the game.
The goalkeeper position is no longer viewed solely as a defensive position. It is expected now that a goalkeeper must be proficient in building attacks, keeping possession, and able to sweep behind defenders effectively. The curriculum we have developed serves as a foundation to create unity amongst coaches and enhance the abilities and capabilities of our goalkeepers. Through developing confidence in goalkeepers, it is my firm belief that growth can be achieved at all levels.
About the logo
The logo was designed by four goalkeepers and put together by an artist that is a dear friend of mine. The outside golden panel is in the shape of a soccer ball patch. Gold was chosen to represent the Golden Glove Award, which is the most prestigious award a goalkeeper can receive. The goalkeeper union is a special bond shared amongst individuals in the position. As a result, the U shaped hand represents the goalkeeper union and this sense of support and unity. The final touches involved the integration of the red, white, and blue color scheme into the glove to symbolize the US Soccer Team.