Kulwant Singh

Tuesday, 14. October 2008 - Harmit Singh Kamboe

What do you say to a person of Indian origin that is an A license coach in the United States, is the Director of the entire Athletics program at DeAnza College (with a faculty staff of 60). Kulwant Singh has 24 years of mens colleagiate soccer in the United States (14 years collegiate womens soccer) has resulted in 4 State and 2 national championships and has been voted twice as the National and Regional Coach of the year. With over 10 years of coaching at the High School level, Kulwant is a treasure of knowledge and experience at the youth football level. We were fortunate to catch up with Kulwant recently and interview him...

Harmit: Please tell us about yourself – where were you born, your childhood, how did you come to the US, your love for soccer and how did you end-up to be one of the first US Soccer Federation "A" Licensed coaches of Indian Origin?

Kulwant: I was born in Punjab, India. We moved to England in 1964. Played soccer and cricket in England. Moved to San Francisco Bay area in 1973. No cricket available.

Played soccer at the club, high school, and college levels. Started coaching at a young age. One thing has led to another. (See Bio above).

I have been very fortunate to have the experience that I have had.

Harmit: How have you seen the participation for soccer levels grow in the United States and what would you attribute some of this growth to?

Kulwant: Soccer participation numbers have grown in leaps and bounds in the USA. Soccer is a sport that is relatively inexpensive. You can be small or big as far as size. Girls can play as well as boys. There is great exercise value, etc.

Harmit: Has the Indian community been a participant in the growth of soccer across the United States?

Kulwant: I don’t think the Indian community has been part of the big picture as far as growth of soccer in the USA. There are obviously some people of Indian origin like Sunil Gulati (US Soccer President) that are involved. My observation is that in the past 5-7 years there has been an increase in participation and involvement individuals of Indian origin.

Harmit: Please describe the different sporting and athletic facilities at your college? Are these kinds of sporting facilities the norm in most US colleges?

Kulwant: Every college has a different setting and programs offered.

At De Anza, the Athletics Department is an extension of the Physical Education Division.

It serves the needs of everyone interested in competing at a higher level of athletic competition.

Our comprehensive all-sports program includes:

• 19 sports programs for men and women, with about 350 student-athletes compete on these teams
• Nine men's sports and 10 women's sports
• Approximately 60 coaches, staff, and administrators who comprise the De Anza College Athletics Department: 15 head coaches, 36 assistant coaches, and 9 staff and administrators
• Consistent success rate both on the field and in the classroom
• An average GPA of 3.22 for our student-athletes during the past five years
• De Anza student-athletes have been extremely successful in transferring to the university level.

Fall Sports:
Men's Cross Country, Football, Men's Soccer, Men's Water Polo
Women's Cross Country, Women's Soccer, Women's Volleyball, Women's Water Polo

Winter Sports
Men's Basketball and Women's Basketball

Spring Sports
Baseball, Men's Swimming & Diving, Men's Tennis, Men's Track & Field
Women's Badminton, Softball, Women's Swimming & Diving, Women's Tennis, Women's Track & Field

For more information see
http://www.deanza.edu/athletics/index.html

Harmit: Please describe some of the famous soccer moments in your years of soccer coaching?

Kulwant: 2 National Championships,
4 California State Championships and
15 Coast Conference Championships

National Coach of the Year in 1994 & 1996

Harmit: What in your opinion sets a great coach apart from an ordinary coach?

Kulwant: That is a tough question. Many different styles/methods can lead to success.

Part of my success was being able to adapt and being flexible.
This in addition to being knowleable, organized, etc.

Harmit: You have coached soccer at High School and College level and women’s teams and men’s teams? What have been some of the key differences and some techniques that you have used to coach children and young persons from these various groups?

Kulwant: My coaching methodology has been about the same. Dealing with the team/group varies from team to team. You have to be able to connect with as many individuals as possible to get the most from them.

Harmit: In your opinion what does it take to be a “great” player when compared to a “regular/ordinary” player? Is it just what we sometimes refer to as god given talent?

Kulwant: Not sure I have an answer. Probably a combination of Natural ability and hard work.

Harmit: Do you visit India at all and have you seen any Indian football teams/matches? What are your thoughts on football in India?

Kulwant: I have seen Indian Football games in India (NFL). I enjoyed the games.
I saw Punjab Police, JCT Mills, and Mohun Bagan. I saw the games in Punjab.
The standard was comparable to a high college level (NCAA Division 1) in the USA.

I once met Sukhvinder Singh, Coach of JCT Mills and National Coach.

Harmit: Were of you aware of IndianFootball.Com, prior to us approaching you for this interview?

Kulwant: Yes. I have gone to the website for info and schedules especially prior to my travel to India. Also, I can catch up on the standings/players info prior to watching some games in India.
The website is very good and informative.