Thoreson wins prestigious award

SANDPOINT - Since soccer became a sanctioned high school sport in Idaho in 2000, Randy Thoreson has led the Sandpoint boys soccer team to six of the possible eight 4A state titles, including one of the most dominating seasons in Sandpoint history in 2008.

That kind of success, coupled with the respect of fellow coaches throughout the state, led to Thoreson winning the 2008 Adidas NSCAA Western Regional Coach of the Year, just one of eight coaches in the U.S. to win the award.

The Western Region consists of 11 states, including California and Arizona, and a committee researches each state's nominees before hand picking a winner. The fact a coach from a small North Idaho town can win the award speaks volumes. The fact that it's the third time Thoreson has won the award is downright remarkable.

While he's honored to be recognized, he says the award speaks more about the community of Sandpoint in general.

"I hope everybody doesn't loose sight of the whole community effort, the whole program. It's a big family that has to put in the time and commitment," Thoreson said. "Once you get it going, it's pretty fun."

Senior defender Tanner French, who's headed to play soccer at Oregon State next season, got a first hand look at Thoreson's coaching style. He played four years under Thoreson, becoming a team captain as a senior. French said his coach was on top of everything, right down to instilling proper nutrition into his players.

"He's the best coach I've ever had, probably ever will have," said French. "He definitely has a temper sometimes, but he's also loose and likes to have a good time. As a freshman he was on my butt the whole time, but as a senior I became really close to him."

The award makes Thoreson one of the eight finalists for the National Coach of the Year honor, which will be announced later this month. In nearly two decades of being a head coach, Thoreson has developed a soccer IQ second to none, and as the state titles attest, he can also get the most out of his players.

"He has the ability to make players play for him," said senior midfielder Spencer Swerin, also one of the team captains. "He's going to tell you how it is. Most players might get upset, but he's just trying to make you a better soccer player."

Thoreson contends that soccer is a team sport, and he's just one small piece of the whole puzzle. He also knows he's coaching in a sort of soccer mecca, and that he's been blessed with some incredible athletes through the years.

"Per capita, there are probably more soccer players in Sandpoint than most areas. It's also the athletes this town has produced, not just in soccer, but volleyball and wrestling; its phenomenal," explained Thoreson, adding with a laugh "I don't know if it's the water, clean air or what."

Perhaps good coaching has a little something to do with it.