He has been called the Bela Karolyi of South County youth soccer. His Southern California Blues are considered, even by its competitors, the model for how a girls club program should be operated. He also has been described as eccentric and emotional.
Who is Larry Draluck?
While opinions vary from Mission Viejo to Laguna Niguel to San Juan Capistrano, this much is certain about the Blues' director of coaching: He has distinguished himself for all the right reasons.
In the cut-throat world of club soccer, where wins and losses and back room politics rule supreme, he stands out like a lightning rod. Above it all.
For the 36-year-old San Juan Capistrano resident, his all girls club is a reflection of himself. While the Blues certainly win their share of matchesùfour of their teams reached the finals of this year's prestigious Surf Cupùon the field victories don't define Draluck's teams. Development of his players does.
"No one is more competitive than me," Draluck said after a practice this week at Rancho Capistrano. "I hate to lose and we go out to win... But winning is a short-term goal. Players development is long-term and stays.
"After a win, what do you do? You look at the next game." Yes, that's not your standard pitch in this ultra-competitive area.
Draluck says his philosophy dates back to his college playing days at Cal State Los Angeles. The 1979 Santa Monica High graduate was the goalie when his team lost 1-0 in sudden death overtime in the NCAA Division II championship game. "I can still see that goal in slow motion," he said.
It was his coach and mentor, Berhane Andeberhan, who gave Draluck some perspective. "He told us that if we define ourselves by wins and lossesùthat's shallow," Draluck remembered. "You have to know your own standards." And in that, Draluck's passion was born. After head coaching jobs at Cal State Los Angeles (men's in 1987) and United States International University (women's in 1989), he settled with the Blues six years ago. The club is now his full-time job, though not a lucrative one, he says. He has 130 players who pay $600 a year to belong to the club.
"I love kids," said Draluck, who is single. "I want the best for them."
Sometimes, however, he says he has wanted it more than his players. That's his emotional side. Maybe even a little of Bela. "That's a hard thing for me." he said.
But most of the time, Draluck finds the middle ground and it has paid off for his players and him. Over the past few years, several of his girls have earned college scholarships. In fact, next week when Draluck and the Blues travel north for the Pleasanton Tournament, he is planning on catching a game between Santa Clara and Pepperdine that will feature five of his former players. "I'm going to be so proud," he says with a smile. "When they say 'Hi', that makes it all worth it."
That, and the letters. Draluck has received many but remembers a note from former Blue Jessica Fischer, an All American at Stanford. "She said she was more prepared for college because of our program," Draluck recalled.
Make no mistake, though, Draluck isn't one to boast. He is quicker to credit Blues coaches Tad Bobak (former UC Santa Barbara women's head coach), Rich Manning (Los Alatnitos head coach) and Hugh Donald. Draluck says he used to take more of a handson approach but now feels comfortable letting others do the job. "I've surrounded myself with the best help," said Draluck, whose goalie coach in college was Bobak. "Tad is one of the best youth coaches in America...I give this guy so much heartache but he is the most patient person I know."
As for being a model for other clubs to follow, Draluck is flatered but not about to rest on reputation. "Personally, I don't think we have reached our potential yet," he said. "I want this club to be 10 times as good as it is now. We still have a long way to go and improvements to make."
Who is Larry Draluck?
One coach who not only sees the big picture but understands it.