Local soccer players interested in playing competitive soccer beyond high school while attending college have a new option at Chemeketa Community College located in Salem. Chemeketa has started a new men's and women's soccer program that will begin play this fall the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC). The NWAACC includes the community colleges in western Oregon and western Washington.

Community or junior college soccer programs are a great alternative for players that may not have the grades for a larger university, need a more affordable education, would like to stay close to home, or just need a couple of years to figure out what to do with your life. Seriously, how can someone be expected to choose a professional field of study before they can even buy a beer. I personally attended a community college after high school because I had no idea what I wanted to do. When I came to OSU those credits transferred and saved me a few bucks.

Playing junior college soccer doesn't automatically mean you have less talent. Professional soccer players Alan Gordon (LA Galaxy) and Brian Farber (California Cougars) both transferred to OSU from junior colleges and the Beavers were very fortunate to have them.

The women's program will be lead by head coach Oscar Monteblanco and men by head coach Marty Limbird who allowed me to interrogate him for the Corvallis Soccer Blog.

Question: How did you become Chemeketa's first men's soccer head coach?
Marty: I have been teaching full time at Chemeketa for 5 years. Included in my teaching load has been every soccer class that the college offers. Because of this I am familiar with the top players who have been here on campus already. Interestingly enough I am also familiar with the NWAACC recruiting, athletics, etc. through volleyball coaching at Chemeketa for my first 3 years at Chemeketa.

Question: What can you tell us about the school?
Marty: Chemeketa takes pride in its athletic traditions and programs, so when the soccer program was presented and approved, the goal hasn't been to just field a team, but to create a championship atmosphere and a program that players want to play for. This is what Chemeketa stands for, a raised bar that we feel drawn to rise above. So, with high expectations and a high standard of excellence with everything Chemeketa does academically and in the community; the soccer program will be no different. You should look for us to compete very well in our first year...I am confident in the players we are bringing in and the training we will do.

Question: Tell us about your coaching and soccer background?
Marty: Most of my Soccer background is from Canada. I grew up there and have played and coached there. I was a member of the Rangers Premier Mens soccer team and the youngest on the team at age 16. The team was filled with international players and players with very different outlooks on the game and styles of play. This is what sculpted my coaching I suppose because I had many players who took me under their wing, and each of them had a different perspective on the game.

This has created a philosophy and style of play that is mixed with creativity that players can bring along with the structure and strategy that may seem more rigid. I think there is room for both and times for both styles of play so, you can expect fast paced, well played soccer, with some creative flairs from the players we have on the team.

Coaching wise, I am comfortable saying that in the soccer world I am pretty much unheard of, but this makes it fun for me....I expect people to say who is this guy...and where did this program come from. I am familiar to coaching and at the college level, but not in soccer oddly enough; I coached volleyball for years. I think there can be a crossover with the same philosophy in coaching, how to motivate players, how to structure training and drills, and game preparations at this level. So although the drills, skills and strategy may be different; coaching in its bare roots is the same, this coupled with my playing experience should blend nicely. However; I am not naive to the fact this will be a steep learning curve entering into the South Division with Clark (last year's Champion).

Question: What soccer opportunities still exist next fall at Chemeketa for soccer players in Corvallis and Oregon?
Marty: Players who are interested in playing can still contact me, although we are very close to finalizing our team. We had 95 players at our open tryout, and could have easily fielded a competitive team from that, but I have held off finalizing the last few spots for those players I haven't seen. We are still looking at forwards and wings and filling our 2nd keeper spot. We have plenty of guys vying for those spots, but nothing final yet and I am open to seeing more. I feel very good about our Midfielders and Defense and these would be tough positions to crack into for next year. We have a few players who only have 1 year of eligibility left, so after this year more spots will open again.

Question: What kind of student-athlete do you think the new Chemeketa program will best appeal to? What kind of student-athlete are you looking for?
Marty: We are a new program; therefore, I am looking for the special blend of athleticism and skill with an attitude of a champion. Players who can hold themselves as champions off the field. You have to understand that we are in the spotlight this year and therefore I want players who will be outstanding young ambassadors for our program....our players will become our best recruiting asset for future players! We are also a unique program, we have scholarship money, we are a small college with strong competition and allow players who may not have the grades to enter a Div 1 or 2 program an opportunity to get there through us.

Question: Are there any prerequisites for being a student athlete at Chemekeda? GED? Age? Part-time students?
Marty: Players on the team must be enrolled full time (12 credits) the fall they begin participation. There are no age requirements, however they must still be amateur in status and if they have played professionally anywhere they become ineligible.

Question: Will you offer financial assistance to players?
Marty: We do have scholarships in the form of tuition, but not enough to give everyone on the team a full scholarship. Many players will receive some type of scholarship next year.

Question: What are your goals for the first few seasons?
Marty: We are competing in a very competitive league and therefore my goal of reaching the NWAACC tournament will not be an easy one, but one I feel we will be striving for every year. A championship is not out of the question....I'm not going to say that we will step into the league and win a championship. This all falls on our preparation, but the players who can help us win a championship are in the area and we've got some of the best players in the valley coming here next year!

Question: What do you think your biggest challenges will be?
Marty: Overcoming player's mindsets and becoming a cohesive team is always a challenge. We will have 20+ players who were all-stars for their high schools. The challenge will be bringing all of those players on board with their individual roles in a greater team concept. If we can do this quickly and have everyone buy in, we will be dangerous, if not we will be the best team on paper, but one filled with a individual talent only. That doesn't win us any championships.

Question: What should interested players do?
Marty: Call or email Marty Limbird: 503-399-5030, mlimbird@chemeketa.edu

Question: I understand that Ivan Sanchez from Corvallis High School is playing for you next season. Can you tell us how that happened?
Marty: I am extremely excited about Ivan, I went after him hard because I know that he may be the key to our first championship caliber season. He was sought after by other colleges in our league and I truly appreciate his character and resolve. He is mature, charismatic and a great goalkeeper. A HUGE asset for us! I appreciate the fact he took a risk with us, with many other coaches in the league telling him not to because we were a new program, he knew different and didn't listen; he knew we could be something special. Ivan is a great kid and I am confident with him a part of our program.

Question: Have you already selected some players for next season? How many spots do you still have available?
Marty: We have signed 21 players and have about 4-5 spots that we are still looking at players for.

Question: Is there anything else that you would like to share with us about the Chemekeda soccer program?
Marty: Come watch next year....as a new program I think you will be impressed with what we do and how we play. We will train hard and this will show in our energy level and playing ability.

For all you seniors that still haven't decided what you are doing next year, you may want to give Marty a call. Female players can reach womens' coach Oscar Monteblanco at oscar0657@comcast.net or 503.888.3152. Also check out http://blog.corvallissoccerblog.com/2007/01/available-college-soccer-programs-in.html for a list of other colleges in Oregon with soccer programs.