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Executive Director

Playing Background

Tom Garigen was born and raised in the Western New York area. He played soccer in the local travel programs and eventually on premier organizations like Germania and Gaymar. Tom played his freshman year at the University at Buffalo before transfering to Canisius College. While at Canisius Tom helped the Golden Griffins win their first MAAC Division Title in 1997 going undefeated in conference play. Tom ended the season with 1st-Team All-Conference and 1st-Team All-Tournament honors.

Coaching Background

• Coached premier soccer teams since 1996
• Assistant Women's Soccer Coach at the University at Buffalo from 1999 to 2005
• Olympic Development Program State Coach from 1999 to 2006
• Olympic Development Regional Staff from 2004 to present
• NYSWYSA Instructional Staff 2002 to present
• USSF National Youth License
• USSF "B" license
• Buffalo United Director of Coaching

Educational Background

• Earned his BS in Business Management from Canisius College
• Earned his MA in Counselling and Educational Psychology from the University at Buffalo
• NY State Certified Teacher in Children with Disabilities and Childhood Education

Professional Background

• Managed multiple local indoor sports facilities
• Director of Community Intiatives for Algonquin Studios
• Associate Director of Coaching for Buffalo Premier Soccer Club
• Director of Coaching for Buffalo United Soccer Club

Philosophies

Our soccer club will continue to lead the way in the movement to change the youth soccer culture for the better. There is an over-emphasis on winning, too much organized ball and not enough free play, not enough days of rest and recovery, and too many tournaments where kids play too much competitive soccer in too short a period of time. These are all areas of the game that need to be addressed and changed. BSC will do its best to not contribute to these problems, but rather make efforts to change them. Changing culture can be slow and methodical, but we will always strive to move our program in the right direction.

Our players will be coached to do the correct things based on the game, not the things that will yield the best short term results. At the younger ages if you attempt to play the game the right way you will lose repeatedly. Younger players will have a difficult time managing the demands of the game and will not be able to execute consistently. Our staff will encourage players to play the game appropriately regardless of the results.

BUSC will spend a lot of time and effort in parent education. An educated customer will make better decisions for their children both inside and outside of the BUSC arena.

Soccer is a game that requires the players make decisions and solve problems on their own. Our coaching style and learning environment has to foster that idea. We must empower and enable our players to handle these challenges.

Tom Garigen
Executive Director
garigen@algonquinsports.org
office: 716-842-1439