Martin Clayes takes on Head Coach position
By: ASHLEY BIUNDO, PRODUCTION MANAGER
Martin Clayes, Truman State University Alumni, has taken the role as the new Head Coach for the Men’s Soccer Team. He has played soccer his whole life, including four years at Truman State University. He even started coaching at Truman State University and then went on coaching several teams across the US.
“I’m originally from Scotland, grew up there, and then came to Truman State University at 18 years old,” said Clayes. “Graduated and moved to St. Louis. I started coaching, pretty much before I finished college and I was the assistant coach for my fifth year of college.”
When he moved to St. Louis, Clayes started coaching youth soccer and continued to do so across the country. “[Later] I went back to Truman to be the women’s assistant coach full time and have been coaching ever since,” he said.
Clayes hopes to bring his experience of all levels in soccer to the STLCC Men’s Soccer Program, leading them to a winning season. “The idea is you recruit not only players to you, but you recruit them back out to bigger, better colleges,” he said. “And since I have coached at several four year schools have a lot of connections in the Soccer World, nationwide. Hopefully, I can be of service to the athletes here, as well as putting a good team out on the field.”
Clayes said that even though this is his first season coaching at STLCC and the team lost most of their starters from last season, he said he has strong expectations for the upcoming season.
“The expectations of the college are high. But with a new team and a new coach, still getting to know each other,” Clayes said. “I think we’ll just take it game by game. And go through the process and see where we are in October and hopefully we’re in the top and able to go to districts and regionals.”
Coaching is very important to Clayes, but also his players and he hopes to develop his team as people and players. “I don’t think you get better unless you take care of the ball and, you know, fast and move and learn the game’s intricacies,” he said. “From a style point of view, I want to play in a style that helps them improve so they can move on to the next level. Because we’re here for the students, not the other way around.”
