The boy's soccer program at Sewickley Academy has been one of the elite soccer programs in the state since the mid 1990's. The Varsity won the AA PIAA State Championship in 1997 and the A PIAA State Championship in 2007, the AA WPIAL Championship in 1998 and the A WPIAL Championship in 2000, 2001, 2005, and 2007. The team has been in the WPIAL playoffs consecutively for 14 seasons and has missed the State Playoffs only three times in those 14 seasons. The coaching philosophy includes the expectation that all players be in excellent physical shape.
Soccer is a very demanding physical sport and in order to teach the necessary skills, a solid foundation of fitness is needed. One cannot be a good soccer player without being in superior physical condition. Ball skills are the second most important aspect of playing soccer. The practice sessions include a lot of individual skill and team skill and tactical sessions. There will be many repetitions at times for basic skill improvement. In practice and games, we encourage players to take risks and gain confidence with all sorts of ball movements, shots and skills. Have confidence in your ability! Take a shot and shoot with the correct technique and ultimately you will be successful! If you miss ten times, then try it eleven times! Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Head Coach Bruce Atkinson
Coach Atkinson played soccer in high school and college. He has coached soccer at many different levels, including coach the Academy's junior varsity team for the past three years. He is a graduate of Colorado College. Bruce currently lives in Ben Avon with his wife Christine and their two dogs, Stx and Rosie.
