Koleduk has Gulf headed in right direction

This article appeared in the Tampa Tribune in July 22, 2001.

By JASON VETTER
Tribune correspondent

NEW PORT RICHEY - Some told him he scored like none they had seen before. Those who watched him play selected him a collegiate All-American three times. He was the starting forward on professional teams for three seasons.

Perhaps Sam Koleduk was born five years too soon.

Playing at a time when professional soccer offered little more than a small paycheck and too much travel, Koleduk left his career on the pitch after only three seasons.

He didn't leave behind his passion for soccer. He still plays in a local semi-pro league. He still watches the game as much as possible. And he is into his coaching career.

The last time Gulf High had a successful boys soccer team, Koleduk was graduating as the school's all-time leading scorer. After two conference titles and one district championship in his four seasons, Gulf advanced to the state final four in 1990, the year after Koleduk graduated. The 1991 season marked the last time Gulf advanced to the state playoffs.

Koleduk, 30, could be the man to change that. He brought new enthusiasm and a winning attitude to the program last season and the result was a 14-10-2 record, the Bucs' first winning season in six years. Still, Gulf was knocked out of the first round of the district playoffs by Ridgewood.

This fall, with an influx of new talent to go with the return of all 11 starters, Gulf could be the district and conference favorite.

``One positive, I think, is that I can go out there and play with them,'' Koleduk said. ``If they're not performing well, they can watch me play. Plus, the attitude. I've instilled in them that they can win.''

Gulf's players used to play soccer only during the season. Not anymore. Most are playing club soccer during the off-season.

Also, Gulf will play in the Tarpon Springs Christmas Tournament against elite competition, a change from the past.

As a result, Koleduk expects to end the playoff drought.

``Yeah, definitely. We should at least make it out of districts,'' he said. ``That's our goal, to be one or two.

``I would say it's us and Land O' Lakes. You can never count out Hudson. I think most everybody lost their best five or six players.''

Gulf lost no one. The county's most skilled offensive player, Alex Maric, returns. So does the team's best overall player, sweeper Jeremy Villiard, who was lost for the season with a knee injury after only six matches.

Adding new talent to the team are a pair of Bosnian students. Both are expected to start. There's also Maric's younger twin brothers, who bring youth to the team as freshmen.

Everything is in line for Koleduk.

``I think we can definitely have a high talent level,'' he said. ``I think kids want to start coming to Gulf, whereas before they wanted to go to River Ridge or Ridgewood. We're doing better. Hopefully new kids will come in.''

Koleduk's coaching career at Gulf likely won't last long. He aspires to coach in college and, if he gets a good offer, likely will be gone.

``It's definitely what I strive for,'' Koleduk said. ``But it's nice to be back in the area, seeing soccer growing.''

Koleduk graduated from Gulf in '89 and accepted a scholarship at Saint Leo. He was a three-time All-American with the Lions and is the program's all-time leading scorer with 85 goals and 35 assists. Last year, he was inducted into the university's hall of fame.

``It was neat, getting to go back,'' Koleduk said. ``They had a big banquet. It was nice.''

After graduating from Saint Leo in the spring of '95 with a degree in physical education, Koleduk played with the Lexington Bandits in the United States Independent Soccer League, which today serves as a minor league to Major League Soccer.

During the off-season, Koleduk played for the Canton Invaders in the National Professional Soccer League, an indoor league.

Three years of professional soccer were more than enough for Koleduk. His salary ranged from $1,000 to $1,500 a month, plus free room and board. It wasn't nearly enough to offset the negatives of the travel. Wanting to settle his life, Koleduk returned to Gulf High in 1999 with an eye on coaching.

``It was rough moving around every year,'' he said. ``Plus it was not much money. I came out at the wrong time.''

Today, Koleduk teaches in Gulf's Exceptional Student Education program, working with troubled students.

``They're pretty difficult to deal with. They can stress you out pretty bad,'' he said. ``It's enjoyable if you can turn their life around for them.''

Koleduk's playing days continue with Cypress Trail of the Florida Suncoast Soccer League, where he is a starting forward along with Hudson coach Ron Ladimir.

``I'll be playing until I'm dead, probably,'' he said.