Cougar Standout Now Puts on His Coaching Shoes
Brittany Eads
Clay Christenson
Provo, Utah (March 1, 2009)
— A few months ago, Clay Christenson was a senior fullback on the BYU men’s soccer team. Today, he’s a member of the Cougar coaching staff and oversees many of the same players who, until recently, were his teammates.
“Some of the guys on the team I’ve known since I was 14 or 15,” Christenson laughs. “The idea that I was going to be a coach was a bit funny to them, but I feel they’ll be excited. The reaction has been very positive.”
“We will miss him and his AC/DC mixes in the weight room,” jokes fellow defender Daniel Turnbull. “But it will be good to have his continued input from the sidelines. He knows the game extremely well, and his experience as a recent player will undoubtedly help both him and the players understand one another.”
Christenson, who has been playing soccer since age four, had a notable athletic career before stepping foot on the Provo campus. In high school, the Sandy, Utah native led the Utah Rangers club team to five state titles and was the 5A MVP player for the state before lining up for BYU in 2002 as a fullback and playing for five years (spread out over seven because of a church mission).
“I just walked off the field from playing last year,” Christenson continues. “I was in their shoes less than a year ago and I know what they’re going through. I’m so close to where these guys are now that I can relate to them and help them to become more prepared in having a successful season.”
His duties also include spearheading the Cougars’ tradition of service; in the past, the team has traveled to countries such as Mexico, Costa Rica, and Chile to make donations and a difference for the people living there. On its most recent trip, the team traveled to Fiji and ran the region’s first soccer camp while donating 300 pairs of soccer cleats and gear to help developing high schools and club programs.
“Our intent with these trips is to get ready for the season, but also fulfill the mission of BYU and the church and just to serve people,” Christenson says enthusiastically. “This is always a goal on the team—first and foremost, we are soccer players, but we are always trying to help people and carry out the mission of BYU.”
Though he will miss the playing side of soccer, Christenson is thrilled to be involved once again with the BYU men’s soccer program.
“For five years I was on the other side of the spectrum, working hard and making my teammates better. I’m seeing other side now, and it’s a dream come true. I’m really excited and content to be where I am. I’m looking forward to making a difference.”
For more information, go to www.byusoccer.com
