Welcome back to 11 Questions presented by Piedmont Natural Gas — a weekly questionnaire series designed for you to get to know the people that make up Greenville Triumph Soccer Club. Each week, our own Marion Cole will ask someone from the organization the same ten questions, but the eleventh question will be from the previous interviewee. With players, coaches, and front office staff involved, we hope to bring you a fun look inside our club!
This week, I’m joined by Triumph SC Head Assistant Coach, Alex Blackburn. Alex returns to the Triumph for the club’s second season. Prior, he was the Head Assistant Coach at his alma mater, Monmouth University, where he played from 2009-2013. A certified USSF Licensed “C” Coach, he is the sole owner of Alex Blackburn Goalkeeping Academy, LLC.
1. If you had a podcast, what would it be about and why?
I’d say it would be on coaching education. After speaking with some of the local soccer coaches at the YMCA, it made me realize how much I enjoy coaching development and experimenting with different ways of improving players through sharing ideas.
2. How do you decompress after a long week of work or training?
Any time spend with my girlfriend Jamie and our dog Lilly. Golf would be a close second. But sometimes I don’t always leave the course feeling “decompressed.”
Yeah, I hear you’re actually a very good golfer. Any truth to this?
Depends on the definition of good… I’d say proficient.
3. What’s the most memorable meal you’ve ever had and why?
There’s too many to choose from! I have to mention dinner on Boxing Day at my parents’ house simply because of the great food and family, and really just the time of year. Or one of the many Tapas benders in Barcelona with Jamie because who doesn’t love Tapas!?!?
Barcelona, Spain? Did you and Jamie take a vacation there?
Yes, we’ve been a couple times, tends to be our go-to vacation spot.
4. What was the most nervous you’ve ever been?
I’m not really one to get nervous but probably college when I’d need to do a presentation on a topic I didn’t appropriately prepare for.
5. If you’re up at 2AM on a Saturday night, what are you eating?
McDonald’s a million times over.
Gotta have the specific order.
Depends on how I’m feeling, but got to have a four-piece nug. Got to have some sort of a burger and fries and a vanilla milkshake.
6. What’s something you learned recently that blew your mind?
I got nothing…
7. Triumph SC announces they’re bringing a celebrity to the next match and wondering if you have enough time to say, “Hello.” Who’s the celebrity you’re most excited to have at a match?
David Beckham. Legend.
8. What’s the most memorable sports moment you’ve had as a fan?
I went to a match with my dad and his friends in England when I was about nine years old. Burnley V. Millwall — the “bad guys” in the movie Green Street Hooligans — in English League One! Wild 4-3 Burnley win in the last minute. Plenty of goals. Plenty of fruity language. Fans on the field. Police on horseback. Fights in the stands. Singing in the pubs. Everything a nine-year-old soccer fan dreams about basically.
9. What sporting event have you always wanted to go to and why?
Gotta be the World Cup Final. Because it’s the World Cup Final, bruh.
Any particular matchup you’d be geeked to see?
USA V England in a World Cup Final. So much on the line in terms of bragging rights.
10. If you’re part of a PK lineup, what number are you taking your penalty kick?
Number one. Have to get off to a good start.
11. Paul Christensen, new GK for the Triumph, wanted me to ask you, “What’s the biggest difference in being a coach in college versus professional? And why did you change from college to professional?”
Biggest difference would have to be the investment professional players have in their own development. Which makes motivating each player that much easier. In the college game, some guys are just looking for good experiences while getting their education before they become an accountant or something like that which was something I understood but couldn’t always relate to. Making the move in December of 2018 was difficult based on the quality of life I had living in New Jersey. But, from the perspective of my development as a coach and the experiences I wanted to have, I had to taking myself well out of my comfort zone if I wanted to progress towards the highest levels. And I believe Greenville was the step forward I was looking for. Very grateful.
Next week, I’m speaking with Aussie striker, Lachlan McLean. What would you like me to ask Lachlan?
Lachlan, what’s your most treasured possession? “My phone” is not an answer.
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