Coach hopes changing her title brings some needed stability to Gulf program
By JAMAL THALJI
Published March 25, 2004
NEW PORT RICHEY - Gulf's girls soccer program has suffered enough instability in recent years, Shari Schau figured, especially after going 1-38-2 the past two seasons.
So wouldn't her departure only add to that instability? That's why, for stability's sake, Schau took the "interim" off her title of interim coach.
Schau, 40, is now the Buccaneers' permanent coach, last week accepting the job she held for nearly a decade in the 1990s, when she raised Gulf to a competitive level.
"I just thought the program needed a little bit of stability," Schau said. "So I decided to stay with it. I had a lot of kids coming up and asking me if I was sticking around.
"I just didn't want to disappoint them. They've been through enough the last few years."
The program has been through plenty since the 1998 resignation of Schau, who has also coached the Bucs volleyball program since 1995.
This past season was the roughest for Gulf. Second-year coach Todd Rivers gave his letter of resignation to the school midseason, leaving Dec. 1. Rivers left with a 1-21-2 record, going 0-15-2 last season and leaving after a 1-6 start this season.
The coach and administration said he departed for personal reasons. The team was in turmoil at the time of his departure, however, as Rivers and his former players clashed over issues such as discipline and practice.
Those problems soon became Schau's. She was offered her old job in 2002 but turned it down. She resigned as soccer coach to pursue her master's degree, and after completing it she desired a break. But after this season she's ready to return.
"I think after this year (I realized) I really kind of missed it," Schau said. "I had a lot of fun with the kids. We had a good time."
Athletic Director Paul Girardi is glad Schau's on board for good.
"I'm extremely happy with her decision," Girardi said. "I think she does a very good job, and I'm looking forward to the kind of job she can do with our soccer team."
The county coaching supplement for soccer and volleyball is $1,743.
When Schau came to Gulf's rescue, things didn't get any easier. A back injury kept Schau out of her first three games, which the team lost by a combined score of 10-0.
Though the team finished 1-23, last in the Sunshine Athletic Conference, Schau was encouraged by her players' improved play and skill late in the season.
After losing 7-0 to Zephyrhills early in the season, Gulf lost 2-1 in the district tournament - and that was after the Bulldogs scored the second goal in the last minute of regulation. Then there's a talented middle school crop on its way.
"Gulf Middle School, they won their conference this year," Schau said. "I've seen a few of their games, and there are some really good kids and great soccer players there. We also have some quality kids that will be coming back."
"At the end of the season it was great to see the kids come so far in such a short period of time."
