Andy Beers

A spontaneous hug between father and daughter after a last game was one of the many rewards that made coaching rec soccer memorable for Andy Beers.

Andy is a father, husband, avid outdoor enthusiast, and always looking to apply the skills he acquired while earning a Ph.D. in environmental science. Andy was twice awarded Coach of the Year by his hometown club and has enjoyed numerous mementos, gift certificates, cookies, and cakes from grateful players and parents. As a youth soccer coach between jobs, Andy bides his time until his next adventure on the pitch by traveling with his family, pursuing an ongoing dispute with a vintage outboard motor, and contemplating why things are the way they are. Although Andy can’t claim the status of a professional athlete, the problem-solving skills that he mastered as a research scientist have helped him logically evaluate how factors that limit the success of children and adults can be overcome or used to their advantage. Applying critical thinking to youth soccer helped Andy identify positive outcomes regardless of whether matches were won or lost and allowed him to teach strategies for success in life beyond the game.