SANTA MONICAùWhen Tad Bobak moved to California from Europe back in 1971, it didn't take long for this native of Brazil to become involved in the U.S. soccer scene. Since that time, Bobak has had a hand in all levels of soccer. Professional, collegiate, amateur and youth, Bobak has coached it all. Bobak's longtime commitment was recognized March 11, at the CYSA-S AGM weekend, when he received 1994
Girls Coach of the Year honors from his peers.
Bobak was born in Brazil, but moved to Europe when he was 12 years old. Between Brazil and Europe, Bobak received quite a soccer education. When he moved to California at 21 years old, the sport was already in his blood.
Bobak, who currently resides in Santa Monica, has worked with the Los Angeles Aztecs of the NASL, he was assistant coach at USC, UCLA and Cal State-Los Angeles, and, most recently, Bobak was head coach of the University of California Santa Barbara women's soccer program. Included in Bobak's coaching experience is a stint as assistant coach for the U.S. Women's National Team in 1987, under Anson Dorrance.
Despite the demands that have been placed on Bobak's time and energy by college soccer, he has maintained a constant level of intensity in youth soccer.
Since 1982, Bobak has been the girls Under-17 ODP coach developing the talents of some of the finest girls in the nation. However, even before that, Bobak, along with University of California Irvine womenÆs coach Marine Cano, took the lead in bringing girls ODP to Southern California. That effort has had long-term positive ramifications not only for CYSA-S but for the U.S. Women's National Team, as well. Several nationally prominent women players have come out of Southern California, including Julie Foudy,
Joy Fawcett and Carin Gabarra.
Bobak has coached many teams within the Culver Palisades club, which last year became FRAM Culver. Among those club teams was the boys U-19 side which won the McGuire Cup back in 1986, bringing another national championship back to Southern California.
One of Bobak's goals was to create a club with a hierarchy of teams beginning at the formative youth level and culminating in a powerful womenÆs side. In 1985, Bobak founded the Southern California Blues club and reached his goal. Among the nine teams in the Southern California Blues club are eight youth feeder teams leading up to the women's team that has won the last two women's state cups in its division.
The creation of the Southern California Blues gives youth players something to shoot for after youth soccer. It's an external motivator that adds fuel to the fire of desire in Bobak's girls teams.
Bobak has done a lot for girls soccer in Southern California. The role of the youth soccer coach is often thankless. However, once in a great while, a coach will receive a tremendous pat on the back, such as CYSA-S Coach of the Year, that says, "Thanks for all your effort. We appreciate it."
And Bobak appreciates Cal-SouthÆs recognition.
ôItÆs a great honor,ö he said. ôIÆm very appreciative and thankful for people recognizing the time and effort IÆve put into soccer. ItÆs something IÆll cherish.ö
