Bucknell University Athletics
Update from Head Men's Soccer Coach Dave Brandt -- August 2023
.jpg&width=656&type=webp)
Dear Bucknell Men's Soccer alumni, parents, and friends,
Â
Hello from the men's soccer office at Bucknell. Before I provide an update on the program and our preparations for preseason, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the passing of Hall of Fame coach Craig Reynolds and offer my deepest condolences to his family and all of our alumni who had the opportunity to play for him. I didn't know Craig well, but I played against him several times as a young coach, and we spoke shortly after I got the job here at Bucknell last December. He was, of course, always very gracious to me, which is befitting of his reputation as the consummate "gentleman" coach. His influence on hundreds of men's soccer alums has been profound, and while it is sad to hear of his passing, it is inspiring to remember his life and the impact of a great man.Â
As for our team, our players report for preseason in less than a week. The excitement here on campus, and for the guys at home who are in their final days of preparing physically, is palpable.
Â
We have high hopes and high expectations of ourselves. As I have said to numerous people since last fall, the most talented team in the Patriot League last season finished 7th. The 4th-place team won the league tournament. Like most conferences, our league is uber-tight from top to bottom, and it is difficult to predict what will happen or for any one team to dominate. That said, our goal is to win the league this year, and while we will be young (18 of our 27 rostered players will be FR or SO), we believe we can.
Â
From our team manual, and one of our 22 team quotes, which for sure applies … "the defense of a nation (team) and its values, depends first and foremost not on things of steel (talent or pedigree), but on belief. For it is what men believe that makes them invincible". We will not be the most talented team in the league this year, but we do have talent, enough to win for sure, and I expect also to have special elements of belief based on preparation and investment, a tight camaraderie, strong leadership within the team, and force of will.
Â
It's all quite corny and cliché unless you are serious about it, and we are serious about it. I have always said, as a coach, I don't "control" winning. Still, I do control process, team identity, team culture, work ethic, and attitude, and those things here within the program will continue to deepen foundationally and climb. Based on those things, we will expect to succeed. The goal is to be highly successful Patriot League champions and a giant killer in DI. We will be highly respected for how we play, how we carry ourselves, and for being able to punch above our weight; and we will do all of the above while providing a life-impacting college soccer experience for our guys. Such an experience is based on a relational and transformational approach and on being a part of an organization that bleeds such bottom-line excellence that it creates a permanent and strong distaste for anything less than our best at every moment. In case you were wondering what we are aiming for here!
The schedule is up online, and the countdown is on until our first preseason game; August 12, 5 p.m., at Villanova.
Â
I also want to remind you that one of our own, Andrew Powell '12, has been elected to the Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame. Andrew's induction ceremony will be on Sunday, Sept. 10 beginning at 10:30 a.m. here on campus. We host George Mason on Friday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m., and we would love to have you back for a memorable soccer weekend if it fits your schedule!
Â
Go Bison!
Dave Brandt
Head Men's Soccer Coach
db071@bucknell.edu
Â
PAST VIDEO REPORTS:
April 2023:
March 2023:
Â
PAST WRITTEN REPORTS:
Bison Club support is the driving force behind Bucknell Athletics. Your donations directly impact the holistic development of student-athletes from 27 Division I varsity programs who are building a foundation at Bucknell to become leaders and difference-makers around the globe. Make your gift online, or call 570-577-1771 to support your favorite Bison team today.
Â
Hello from the men's soccer office at Bucknell. Before I provide an update on the program and our preparations for preseason, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the passing of Hall of Fame coach Craig Reynolds and offer my deepest condolences to his family and all of our alumni who had the opportunity to play for him. I didn't know Craig well, but I played against him several times as a young coach, and we spoke shortly after I got the job here at Bucknell last December. He was, of course, always very gracious to me, which is befitting of his reputation as the consummate "gentleman" coach. His influence on hundreds of men's soccer alums has been profound, and while it is sad to hear of his passing, it is inspiring to remember his life and the impact of a great man.Â
As for our team, our players report for preseason in less than a week. The excitement here on campus, and for the guys at home who are in their final days of preparing physically, is palpable.
Â
We have high hopes and high expectations of ourselves. As I have said to numerous people since last fall, the most talented team in the Patriot League last season finished 7th. The 4th-place team won the league tournament. Like most conferences, our league is uber-tight from top to bottom, and it is difficult to predict what will happen or for any one team to dominate. That said, our goal is to win the league this year, and while we will be young (18 of our 27 rostered players will be FR or SO), we believe we can.
Â
From our team manual, and one of our 22 team quotes, which for sure applies … "the defense of a nation (team) and its values, depends first and foremost not on things of steel (talent or pedigree), but on belief. For it is what men believe that makes them invincible". We will not be the most talented team in the league this year, but we do have talent, enough to win for sure, and I expect also to have special elements of belief based on preparation and investment, a tight camaraderie, strong leadership within the team, and force of will.
Â
It's all quite corny and cliché unless you are serious about it, and we are serious about it. I have always said, as a coach, I don't "control" winning. Still, I do control process, team identity, team culture, work ethic, and attitude, and those things here within the program will continue to deepen foundationally and climb. Based on those things, we will expect to succeed. The goal is to be highly successful Patriot League champions and a giant killer in DI. We will be highly respected for how we play, how we carry ourselves, and for being able to punch above our weight; and we will do all of the above while providing a life-impacting college soccer experience for our guys. Such an experience is based on a relational and transformational approach and on being a part of an organization that bleeds such bottom-line excellence that it creates a permanent and strong distaste for anything less than our best at every moment. In case you were wondering what we are aiming for here!
The schedule is up online, and the countdown is on until our first preseason game; August 12, 5 p.m., at Villanova.
Â
I also want to remind you that one of our own, Andrew Powell '12, has been elected to the Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame. Andrew's induction ceremony will be on Sunday, Sept. 10 beginning at 10:30 a.m. here on campus. We host George Mason on Friday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m., and we would love to have you back for a memorable soccer weekend if it fits your schedule!
Â
Go Bison!
Dave Brandt
Head Men's Soccer Coach
db071@bucknell.edu
Â
PAST VIDEO REPORTS:
April 2023:
March 2023:
Â
PAST WRITTEN REPORTS:
Bison Club support is the driving force behind Bucknell Athletics. Your donations directly impact the holistic development of student-athletes from 27 Division I varsity programs who are building a foundation at Bucknell to become leaders and difference-makers around the globe. Make your gift online, or call 570-577-1771 to support your favorite Bison team today.