In the fourth "WildCast" conversation, Ian Scheller, head coach of the Penn College women's soccer team, shares his journey from a player to a coach, emphasizing the importance of building a strong team culture and fostering relationships with players. He discusses the challenges faced in his first year, his coaching philosophy centered around accountability and authenticity, and the significance of creating a supportive environment for athletes. Coach Scheller also reflects on memorable moments in his coaching career and offers advice for aspiring soccer players.
As a Penn College 2018 business administration: management alumnus, Scheller knows his home turf and is passionate about the college. This familiarity has a big upside for him, his recruits and their families.
He and podcast host Matt Blymier discuss the energy Scheller and his players bring to the Wildcat Athletics office suite. Blymier, assistant director of athletics for compliance and athletic communications, says Scheller's office is "set up to be this funhouse, candy store. Open, closed door, whatever it needs to be. It is the energy of the department. It is constantly in motion."
Scheller shares: "It's the most important thing for me." He explains how those relaxed connections feed into the team culture, relationship dynamics and game outcomes.
For high schoolers looking to join a college team, the coach has one bit of advice: "Be yourself."
"If you give me the authentic version of yourself, and I give you the authentic version of myself, when we come together ... it's going to be the best four years of your life, because what we do here is very different from a lot of places," Scheller says. "You can go to a lot of places and win, but you can't go a lot of places and have the culture that we have and the success that we have. That's something that sets us apart. So if you want to come here, or if you want to go anywhere, always be authentic."
“WildCast” offers in-depth conversations and gives die-hard fans, proud alumni and passionate parents an insider's look at what it takes to succeed as a Wildcat. New episodes are being released weekly throughout the summer.