Minnesota Thunder Academy
Monday, April 14, 2008 at 04:36PM 
There has been a lot of speculation and rumor in recent months about the initial Minnesota Thunder Academy proposal. I've bit my tongue often enough since Dec, and wanted to honor the confidence of those involved from the onset. I don't really feel the need to keep things close to the vest any longer as I've had plenty of conversation with parents, coaches, and directors here in MN since then. I also know there are many people outside of MN who have emailed in looking for the truth. The landscape of youth soccer is changing across this country, and many others are attempting to set up similar programs across the US. Good luck... you'll need it :)
Here is the PDF that was sent out to all the clubs we initially approached.
Minnesota Thunder Academy Proposal (PDF - 4.4MB)
As I mentioned, this was a very good proposal, one that we thought people would be excited about. I don't think any of us expected the resistance we found. But things have a way of working out in the end, and I believe this program will actually begin stronger in it's first years because of the initial lack of support from certain local organizations.
Speaking for myself, it was frustrating to not get buy in from others. It did open my eyes more to the animosity that is out there in the soccer community towards myself and my club. But that comes with the territory as I know I'm not going to be popular with the masses when looking out for a smaller percentage of the whole. I don't harbor continued resentment towards most of the people we dealt with in the last months - guess I'm admitting that I did harbor some :). But there are some who are now working harder than they ever have to undermine what the Thunder are doing to, in my mind, protect self-interest - this is after when we approached them to be involved from our initiative from the get go. I still can't let this go 100%... hopefully in time.
More on this as the months go on.
Reader Comments (15)
If I may ask, why did you choose to approach the clubs you did initially? I know all clubs are not equal in the MN soccer scene, but from someone in a club who has interest in getting involved with the "new" Thunder and very intrigued by the Thunder Academy movement, I'd like to pass on to my colleagues an idea of what criteria were used at the onset for selection. I don't think you have a problem posting this for all to read and I promise I'm not trying to cause any controversy. You had an idea of what you wanted when you started and followed it. However, we are hopeful that now you may be looking for other support.
I will follow up with a submission email if you prefer to correspond with me directly. Thank you.
We’ve found the same resistance to elite player development in our efforts here. After a rocky start, we have slowly begun to open people’s eyes to the possibilities of a untied development system in our area (led by the professional organization) featuring many of the benefits you’ve outlined in this Thunder proposal. It was not easy at times to stay the course but things are finally starting to turn here. Though we play in MLS, I know the Thunder can offer the same inspiration to Minnesota players that we offer to those in Illinois.
Your heading “It’s Happening” says it all. The sport of soccer is changing rapidly in our country and your battles are not unique to the cause. Stay true to the vision, listen to but quickly put aside those who stand against what you are about, and continue to provide development options for those talented players interested. I know for a fact that US Development Academy will be coming to MN (likely to both the Thunder and Shattuck St-Marys) in two years. That program in and of itself should help unite players behind your program. Build towards it. We would welcome the Thunder as a competitive peer.
Good luck to your girls in State Cup. Our 11s enjoyed the match with you and your 11 group last fall, and I’m looking forward to gleaning some secret insight about them in your 96/97 writings!
I don't agree with everything that you, Bangu, and apparently now the Thunder believe in with regard to elite players and the best way to develop them. However, unlike some out there I think many of us can agree to disagree yet still work together for the players. The Thunder has a business to run, you have a living to make. I don't think either of you can truly put the kids first, but no coaching professional really can and I don't harbor any ill will towards anyone because of it.
With all that said though I do admire the resolve you've demonstrated towards elite player development over the past years, respect your experience and knowledge of the game, and know the Thunder Academy will succeed in large part because you are involved. Do your best to take the high road with your critics as not to cast a negative light on those you work with. I can already sense a change in your relatively infamous passionate defensive nature and hope you continue to do what you do best... inspire young athletes who work with you and build their love the game.
Most in the know know regionally/nationally know that it is very difficult for a community-type club to do this, but most of the decision makers in clubs like this are not in the know.
CCs are not soccer CLUBS in the truest sense of the word. Some will be up in arms about this comment but it's the plain truth. CCs provide a needed and positive service but they are not elite development systems. They are mostly volunteer-run organizations committed to building the sport in their community. It's a pipe dream to think that many would grasp what the Thunder is proposing. And with lack of understanding comes hesitancy. This is to be expected.
Maybe you guys have given up approaching CCs, maybe it is still on the table. The vicious circle here is that clubs you know approach will probably feel a bit slighted that they were not approached first. If people can get past this there might yet still be hope for a collaborative effort this year. If not, I think many eyes will be watching the Thunder program (Academy and pro team) in the coming years. This will happen, but I doubt it will happen as quickly as you wanted it.
I would also suggest keeping to the high road in the coming years. Many people have said this to you already - you are the lightning rod of MN soccer and an easy excuse for approached organizations to use to not want to join with you. You've burnt a few bridges here in the Twin Cities to get what you've wanted and that's coming back to bite you a bit. I say all this in helpful advice. Hope you take it that way. You, Bangu, and now the Thunder are forcing change to the MN soccer landscape both directly and indirectly as clubs look to adjust planning in order to stay competitive.
Oh, and in case you didn't see this article about community clubs sabotaging the Toronto FC Academy earlier this year.
http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/OtherSports/2008/01/22/4786598-sun.html
Pay the $12 to get it. It's a good article.
There were some internal criteria we used at the onset - club size, priority access to year-round training facilities, experienced soccer professionals in place, proven development focus at the younger age groups, personal connections that we had already in the club, potential growth in our eyes, etc. No club had everything as there is no perfect club here, but most were well set up to make this partnership happen with us should they have chosen to do so.
Above all this was the thought of geographic distribution. I was involved with a very large community club for 4 years. Despite the numbers it was still almost impossible to find a team full of kids at one age group who had similar ability levels AND who wanted to be involved with year-round training. The Regional Academy idea in our proposal would provide geographic magnet clubs who would draw in interested players (and coaches) at the younger age groups so that parents wouldn't be carting their kids across the Metro area to find a quality year-round environment. We actually had a few other clubs picked out in the very beginning, but some clubs approached us early on and their interest shifted ours.
Toronto anon, thanks for the link. I had already seen this.
Thanks to all for the encouragement and advice.
It may never work in MN, or it may work in 5 or 6 years when all the major players in Region II have already left your state behind when it comes to elite player development. Good effort though.
I heard a rumor from a friend of mine that the Thunder are still in talks with Wings. Any comment there? That, my friend, would be something. Else, looks like it's a super-sized Bangu program for the next few years - which is at least a step forward.
I personally think you're a bit too arrogant, too ambitious, and too stubborn. I think your methods cause more controversy and chaos than people want to deal with, that is why you have a bad rap with certain clubs in MN. You're also smarter than most soccer people and this makes other coaching directors feel threatened. They are threatened by you and your club already. Now you have the support and resources of the pro team. What do you expect??? I think you were a bit naive that the strife you and your club have caused in the communities in recent years could be forgotten easily. I think it was also a bit silly to think that people at MYSA would see this vision. Past all this, you're probably the only guy that could help pull this all together and in my opinion, Bangu made a very wise decision 3 or 4 years back (there were many good people in Bangu already - Zahl, Yueill, Storlien, Schaeffer, Cook - but I believe you were the added weight that tipped them over the edge in terms of player development) and the Thunder are making the same wise decision now by having you spearhead this for them. I'm in favor of the vision selfishly as I believe my child has the desire and ability to play at the highest level MN can offer. I'd rather find something here than ship my kid off to a boarding school. Good luck, see you at tryouts - which are when by the way?
You are correct when you said there were many good people in Bangu before I got there.
Though some look at this Thunder Academy as a Thunder thing and some even as a Mark thing (which it certainly is not), this would never have the strength it will have at the onset without the people and commitment of Bangu and the collaborative effort by both the Thunder and Bangu together. I'm helping facilitate what I can as I believe in the Bangu-style vision for elite player development and believe that this makes the most sense in Minnesota under the auspices of the state's professional organization.
In seriousness, my friends have told me the same thing. However, I will continue to respond to critics who seek debate and I will continue to use use the I, me, and myself words here as this is my site and people who come here are looking for my thoughts. I'm sharing my personal opinions, visions, frustrations, etc, not trying to speak for the Thunder or Bangu. I know I represent them both and my actions can reflect on both, but both take my good and my bad.
If you look through the proposal, I don't think you see much first person narrative. On this site you will, and again, I will continue to respond to people who seek debate. I sense that you're not a fan. That's OK. If I'm wrong and you're posting to help, I appreciate it.
I have 100% confidence that this proposal would be favorable to any soccer coaching professional worth his salt here in Minnesota. But many of these soccer professionals rely on parent decision makers to OK their pay checks so it can't be expected that they could come out and support this. Harrison, Tudor, and even Whitehead should welcome this as something out of merry old England, but they are slaves to the paycheck. I don't blame them one bit by the way, just stating a fact.
The soccer guys see it so find the soccer guys with the freedom to really support what they know is best.
Someone said it best above. We don't have true soccer clubs here in our state. We have too many power-giddy parents thinking they know enough to make soccer decisions. I don't go to the plumber when I have a tooth ache and don't call Caribou for financial planning. When I want what's best for my soccer player who absolutely loves the game, I'll go to the soccer professionals, not to a club who has soccer decisions made by non-experts.
Thanks
Interested Bangu Parent
Though many for sure disagree, Bangu came about as an evolution of sorts to the development programs communities were offering. Bringing like-minded/like-skilled players together from diverse geographic communities and providing more training in a team context than what could be found elsewhere.
Our club VP said it best - the time to look at continued progressive change is not when you're at the bottom, but rather when you're at the top. Once people become complacent, thinking they've "arrived" at the pinnacle, the slide down is just around the corner.
The Thunder takes takes the Bangu vision to another level as we now tie our players in with the local professional team and top-level women's team. This will help inspire the younger players while also providing them positive role models. It's about finding ways to build the passion in the kids, regardless of whether or not they play in or past college. Yes, there is a long-range goal of developing professional players from this state. But like you said, that is the end goal for a handful of athletes. But helping these future pros means helping everyone else involved along the way.
For the boys, association with the Thunder means US Development Academy within two years. It also means PDL and USL-2 teams in the upper Midwest in the coming years. It's in the works to have a feeder system for the boys from U13 to pro.
In the end, nothing much will change for the players who want what Bangu has provided and who participate on our teams. The only real negative may be more kids at tryouts. The positives will be outline in an upcoming club communication.
I'm giving my thoughts here, not speaking for the club as there may be eventual additions to what is said here.
I know things seem in limbo now, but the BTFC board is working hard and will be communicating something to their members shortly. There is some REAL interesting stuff in the pipeline, stuff I can't talk about yet. The coming months will be an exciting time for Minnesota soccer though, as well as for the people who choose to remain involved.