CHALK TALK with Soccer Coach Mike Bolanz '00

"Chalk Talk" is a new feature to the SJC Athletics site that will focus on our outstanding coaches on staff at St. Joe's.
The Royal Blue faithful will learn more about our coaches as they are asked various questions about their experiences as a coach as well as their life away from athletics.

About Coach Bolanz:

Coach Michael Bolanz is the head soccer coach of both the men's and women's teams. This past season was his fourth season with the women's team and his second heading up the men. Mike is a 2000 graduate of Saint Joseph's College. In his four years playing goalkeeper for the Monks, he was named to three All-Conference first teams, two All-Region and All-State Teams and received an All-American nomination. 

In 2004, Coach Bolanz took over the head coaching position of the Saint Joseph's College women's soccer program, after having served as an assistant for a year under former head coach Todd Sniper. Bolanz led his team to an impressive 11-7-1 record and a New England Cup Championship. The team's turnaround was ranked among the top 20 for NCAA Division III teams. For his efforts, and in only his first year as a head coach, Bolanz was named the Association of Division III Independents Coach of the Year.

Coach Bolanz's 2007 Women's Soccer team posted an impressive 16-2-3 record, the best finish in the program's history, as well as the #2 seed in the GNAC playoffs. The Women's team earned the #4 seed in the ECAC Tournament and hosted a regional match, marking the first time the women's program had ever hosted a regional postseason match. His 2007 Men's Soccer team earned a #7 seed in the GNAC's with a 5-11-3 overall record. Eight Women's Soccer players and one Men's Soccer player were named to the 2007 GNAC All-Conference teams.

Coach Bolanz is a nationally-licensed soccer coach. In additon to coaching the Monks, Bolanz coaches a u-12 Odyssey Sport premier boys team in Portland, where he is also the Director of Coaching on the boys side for the club.


Mike, can you give us some background information about your playing days?

I had a pretty good four years here. I think I was all-conference 3 times, All-Region twice, All-American nominated, All State twice. Two time Captain. I think I hold the records for shut-outs and saves. We lost a lot of games 1-0 or 2-1 in my four years here.


Favorites:

Movie: Gladiator

Food: Buffalo Tenders

Pro sports team: Any Boston Team

Pro athlete: Honestly, I do not think I have one...


When did you realize that you wanted to be a coach?

I always wanted to have a job in athletics and when the possibility arose to coach soccer at the College level, I could not pass it up. Coaching encompasses everything I enjoy it life. Helping others, teaching, and being involved in competition.


What is your most memorable moment as a player? As a coach?

As a player we had to play with no subs and missing a lot of starters for a game against a high ranking team and we ended up beating them 2-1 in overtime. As a coach it was my first year and we beat a team that the program had lost to for the prior 8 seasons. The other coach was also a pretty good friend of mine and that was his first loss against Saint Joseph's. We beat them 2-0


What is your funniest or most embarrassing moment as a coach?

I think the team will say I have a funny or embarrasing moment almost every practice.


Most famous person you’ve met:

In the Soccer World, Anson Dorrance and Eric Wynalda


If you could meet one person, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Walter Zenga, he was a Goalkeeper for the old Italian National Team. He was always my favorite growing up and now I would just enjoy the chance to sit down and talk soccer and coaching with someone like him.


Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know:

My dad raised me since I was 8 and he is the reason I am who I am today.


Hobbies away from soccer:

I wish I had time for hobbies!


What you look for in a player when recruiting:

Self Belief, Self Discipline, and Competitive Fire


What are you doing in the off-season?

Coaching Youth Soccer and always looking to improve both the Men's and Women's Programs, on and off the field.


What did it mean for you and your team to be in the GNAC?

Anytime you are fighting for an automatic bid to the NCAA's is a good thing. Our goals now become striving for excellence and winning the conference.


What should we look for next year from your teams?

Exciting Soccer


What can you tell us about coaching both the men’s and women’s soccer teams?

It makes for a pretty busy fall. Not a lot of off time. I enjoy it though. I also have a great staff, that helps balance the load so each program is always getting what they deserve.


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