Our Staff in the Community: Doug Raftery

Q: What is your role at the University of Nevada, Reno?

Head Coach, Reno Men's Club Soccer.

Q: How long have you been involved with them?

Last fall was my first semester with the team!

Q: How have you balanced working in the front office with you coaching duties?

We trained Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 7:00-9:00pm at the John Sala Intramural Field on campus. We played a few games, traveling to Sacramento State, hosted a local club, and visited Chico State.

Q: What is your favorite part about coaching?

I love the opportunity to share stories about my experiences on and off the field as a former player and also from a professional standpoint. I also keep an open mind about how the players can teach me...what is going on in college right now, class schedules, what they are hearing about the workforce, etc.

Q: What have you learned most about yourself or the community being a coach?

Before I even said anything to anyone about joining the program, I had various people reach out to me telling me how neat is was that I was spending my time with these guys...it spread quickly. The community cares about soccer and Reno 1868 FC's involved in our backyard. For me, I missed coaching since doing for quite a few years before moving to Reno. It brought joy back to the game...I typically don't experience the coaching experience in my professional duties.

Q: What is your favorite memory from coaching thus far in Northern Nevada? (On the field or off of it)

On our way back from Chico State, three players literally talk for two hours straight about movies...all kinds of movies...and decided they should start a movie review club or join it (if one already existed). Bringing people together in sport allows them to showcase other side of their personality. Those players may not have ever known each other if it weren't for soccer, and now they share other interests - I think that's really neat.

Q: What does it mean to you to get involved with the Northern Nevada Community?

It allows the opportunity to build this community in more ways than just coaching. I want to win games - anywhere I go - there is no doubting that. And I am very upfront about that. However, being able to use my connections to help these kids in the long run is what I really want. And if they want to work at Greater Nevada Field one day, even better!