July 22, 2010

CATCHING UP WITH FORMER MEN’S SOCCER STAR ERWAN LE CROM

RICHMOND, Va.  – The city of Richmond has a way of growing on people and for student-athletes at VCU, it’s no different.

Former men’s soccer standout Erwan Le Crom is a testament to that as the native of France still resides in Richmond, over 10 years after completing his athletic career with the Rams. He was a two-year standout on the back line for the Black & Gold, earning back-to-back All-CAA First-Team honors and helped VCU earn NCAA Tournament berths in 1997 and 1998.

After completing his undergraduate degree, he moved on to the Sport Leadership program and now finds himself as a coaching with the Richmond Strikers.

Scott Day of VCUathletics.com recently caught up with him to see what’s he’s been up to and his thoughts on the new coaching staff for the men’s soccer program.

SD: Been a while since the VCU fans have heard about you, what have you been up to over the past 10 or so years?

EL: I taught French and PE for 2 years in Chesterfield Public Schools right after my time with theCenter for Sports Leadership, then got hired by the Richmond Strikers Soccer Club. I’ve been coaching with them for just about 10 years.

SD: Richmond is a long way from France, what's kept you here and why do you love this area so much?

EL: I think the combination of great soccer job opportunity, the nice weather in Virginia and having met my wife in Richmond have been the main factors for staying here. Now that we are expecting a little girl in October, I think Richmond might see more of me in the next decade!

SD: Biggest difference between Richmond and your hometown?

EL: Just about 247,000 people! I am coming from a very small rural town in Brittany (about 3,000 people).

SD: You've seen a lot of soccer both in the States and across the Pond... what's the biggest difference?

EL: I think the mental aspect of the game and the discipline during training sessions made US Soccer very different. Once US Soccer manages to develop more technical players and more refined tactical players, they will be a big threat.

SD: On that same note, how do you feel that soccer in this country has progressed over the past 10-15 years?

EL: I have seen a continuous stride forward in the number of participants, the level of competition, the improvement of the players, the exposure of the game on TV… it might be a bit slow process for some people but for those working on the field everyday there is no question it is getting better every year.

SD:  What do you feel the future of U.S. soccer holds?

EL: I see more younger players skipping college to integrate pro structures, and as a result the National team becoming a consistent threat to the top 10 soccer countries in the World.

SD:  Obviously the World Cup is fresh on everyone's mind, since your countrymen didn't have a great showing, should we not bring this up?

EL: Not at all. I don’t mind talking about it. It had been a problem for not month but years leading to this World Cup. If I was not surprised with the performance of the team, I was shocked with the off field incidents. As a coach, it is a good exercise for any coaches to think about the necessity of finding a team chemistry, of working on good communication with the players, of finding the right the leaders who will represent you, your team, your club, your country well. Now we have a promising young coach, the future will be brighter.

SD:  Was it like the Great Depression back at home with all the happenings surrounding the French team?

EL: Absolutely! A lot of people were disgusted by the “young rich spoiled soccer players with big ego”. A lot of criticism came from the soccer fans but from all the other athletes and politicians too. It was not only about sport performance but more importantly about how you represent your country!

SD:  Since you've graduated from VCU a lot has happened with soccer here, both positives and negatives, with a new coaching staff in place, what do you feel the future of VCU soccer is?

EL: I have met the new staff and they are extremely driven and motivated. I wish them, and I am sure the rest of the VCU soccer alumni does as well, nothing but the best! I will be there to watch and support.

SD: You weren't fortunate enough to play at SportsBackers Stadium, what's it mean for alums like you to see VCU build a place like that for the Rams to play at?

EL: First of all nothing is better than playing on grass. That’s easily the best thing about Sports Backers bu then you throw in it being a nice stadium and a couple thousand fans can and it simply boost recruiting and results. I have to say I would have loved to play there other than for the Alumni games [laughts].

SD:  How did your time at VCU, both as an undergrad and in the Sports Leadership Program, help prepare you for your current coaching/sports administration endeavors?

EL: The undergraduate years help me to meet a lot of students, teachers and gave me time to know Richmond and its community. The graduate program narrowed down my career path to the sports industry and more particularly to the game of soccer. It simply gave some ideas and prepared me for same scenarios that I encounter every season (on the administrative side or the coaching side). Finally, it gave me an identity and a sense of belonging to school that has grown and improved so much every year since!