Director of Goalkeeping
Bryan Huskisson is the new Director of Goalkeeping for Rio Rapids Soccer Club. He is native to New Mexico, born and raised in Albuquerque. Also known as “Coach Whitey” he is a graduate of the first graduating class from La Cueva High School and earned a B.S. Degree in Communication and Journalism from the University of NM. Bryan played for both schools as well as his entire youth club career for the Rio Grande Scorpions 70, and played semi professional soccer for the New Mexico Chilis and Albuquerque Geckos.
He has held many positions in various organizations and clubs as a director, administrator, coach, and goalkeeping instructor over the last 29 years, locally and regionally. However, his true passion and area of expertise is coaching the art of GOALKEEPING.
In addition to Rio, he is the current Boys ODP GK instructor and the Director of the NM Goalkeeper Academy, which has impacted a vast number of goalkeepers over the past 20 years. Bryan relishes the opportunity to help his players to develop self-confidence and to be a positive force on the field and in their personal lives. He is continually inspired by watching the development and success of his students.
He is a sales person at TLC Plumbing as an HVAC Estimator, a dad to his son Trevor, a fanatic of all things Halloween, and loves playing guitar and writing music and spending time with his girlfriend Mary.
COMPANY RELATED
Q: What are 3 words to describe Rio Rapids SC?
A: Passion, Teamwork, Fun
Q: What drew you to become a part of Rio Rapids originally?
A: I played my entire youth career for Rio 70′ Scorpions, coached by David Bernard. So being back in the club as a director feels like home to me. As a long standing member of the coaching community I’ve had many discussions about how strong of an organization we could create if all the best coaches were in the same club. I felt it necessary to follow through on that idea in hopes that other coaches would follow. I believe in the club philosophy and feel that the coaching staff is supported and has resources that smaller clubs can’t accommodate. And, I wanted to reach/coach a larger number goalkeepers. Rio is by far the biggest club in town and I have the opportunity to coach more GK’s here than anywhere else. My loyalty to this club is stronger than it has ever been for any other organization I’ve worked for because I feel like we are apart of something bigger than just our club.
Q: What is your favorite part about Rio Rapids SC ?
A: The people in the organization and the players. I’ve been coaching for 30 years in Albuquerque and have been a part of many different clubs. This is by far the most organized and structured club I’ve been associated with. Our connection to a professional club provides a pathway for our most promising players that may not have the opportunity to further their career beyond NM. I enjoy working with some of the best coaches in town and individuals who share the same passion as I do. The players keep me young and in tune with the modern game. They teach me ways to reach the youth of today and challenge me to find new ways of making the goalkeeping sessions fun, and effective.
Q: What is your role at Rio Rapids?
A: I am the Director of Goalkeeping. I coach two technical sessions a week for our all of our club’s goalkeepers and perform tactical goalkeeper evaluations on Saturdays. I correspond and interact with our coaching staff in regard to their goalkeeping needs. I gladly embrace the responsibility of being a role model for our youth, a sounding board for inquisitive and sometimes frustrated parents, and a resource for fellow coaches.
PERSONAL
Q: What is the first concert you went to? What is the last?
A: KISS 1979, Tingley Coliseum with my dad and a friend. Going to see them in 2019. Pit Bull at Sandia Casino last month. I attend a lot of concerts because I love live music and I’m also a musician.
Q: Any favorite line from a movie?
A: So many to choose from because I love movies:
You’re going to need a bigger boat!
There’s no crying in baseball!
To infinity and beyond!
I’m not a smart man but I know what love is . . .
Gooooood Morning Vietnam
I’ll be back.
… anything from Pulp Fiction
Q:: Best vacation you’ve been to?
A: New York/ Philadelphia with my family a few years ago. A ton of history, a ton of culture and a ton of entertainment!
Q: Do you have a favorite quote?
A: “1) There is no substitute for hard work! 2) Work hard, Play Hard, Have Fun!”
Q: What books are at your bedside?
A: Crossword puzzles
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I enjoy what I do too much to consider it a job. Being able to share my passion and my perspective of the most exciting position is a privilege. I love the transferring of knowledge between student and teacher. To have former students become a GK instructor is the greatest compliment and most gratifying to me. It means they had a great experience and they want to give back. I love the moment when you witness a child’s recognition of their own potential. It’s fun to watch them gain confidence and to perform at a level which they might not have ever reached without your help. I love being apart of the modern game, I love hearing success stories from parents and I love receiving correspondence from current and past students.
Q:: What has been the most important innovation you have witnessed in your lifetime?
A: Cell phones – as much as I hate being attached to one it is a device that changed the way we live our lives. It consolidated so many other items we used to have. I find it fascinating that our cell phones are more sophisticated than the computers that landed the lunar modular. I believe they will continue to shape our culture and the way we communicate.
Q: What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years?
A: Internet/Cell Phones
