The Integration of Legends FC Riverside ft. Director Bryan Kuderman
Regional Director Bryan Kuderman brings us a fascinating look into the birth of Legends FC Riverside with this written article. Take a quick glimpse as he speaks about how his family and close friends played a major role in this life changing decision.
History
As I sat on my team bench coaching a collegiate conference game in 2012, I had a moment, “an epiphany” that it was time to stop coaching college men’s soccer and focus on my daughters. I was thinking about my daughters AYSO game during a collegiate men’s match. That’s when you know it’s time to hang it up. I was simply spending too much time on the field and too little time with my own kids. In an effort to change the trajectory of my family life, I integrated the two by speaking with Josh Hodges about joining Legends FC. Utilizing my daughters AYSO team and the few local talents (several of which are now in DA and verbally committed to colleges and universities) Legends Riverside was birthed.
Our small group of 3 teams were fortunate to have a community of people who bought into the long term development of players. Our creation had and continues to build its successes on these 4 pillars:
Provide an amazing training environment- For us, it is the UC Riverside stadium field 3 days per week.
Utilize College and University coaches and players for all instruction including Sports Performance and Sport Psychology for our olders and most importantly, to make European Academy training our norm.
Compete in the highest level and leagues- SCDSL Tier 1 and Discovery
Wear the best brand - Legends FC
With these 4 pillars, our teams quickly climbed the ranks each season and we also experienced numerical growth.
“We went from 30 players to 200 players in our first 6 years without ever compromising our mission and development mentality. ”
Development and Staff
To understand development, you have to be a committed teacher before being a coach. Coaches drop players and recruit better athletes. Teachers improve the ability of the individual and are relentless in their efforts to grow them as individuals on and off the field. Legends Riverside is committed to keep every player that signs with us and will NEVER drop a player as a result of their ability. We are truly committed teachers and actively seek coaches who will move into Education as their primary income and career path. The guiding ethos of a teacher is “to grow.” Individuals and teams can not grow without this type of leadership.
Bryan Kuderman, director of Legends Riverside has been in education for 24 years, a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership: Sport Management, NSCAA Premier license and USSF B. A former Cal South Lead Licensing instructor, ODP head coach, head and asst college coach for 20+ years. Bryan brings competent leadership and a winning tradition to the Legends club.
Bryan currently works with the 2003 and 2004 teams at Legends Riverside. His 2004 team is a CRL and Discovery League Champion. They have qualified for FWR and National League in the last 2 years despite moving 5 players to the DA.
Cody Shelton is the longest standing coach with Bryan Kuderman at Legends Riverside. Cody played college soccer for Bryan Kuderman for 4 years at BIOLA university and helped to lead his team to 2 National tournament appearances in his time. This is a monumental achievement for the NAIA powerhouse. Cody who majored in communication is easily spotted as one of the most dynamic coaches in the Legends organization. Not only does he coach the oldest age group at Legends Riverside, he develops the youngest at Legends north. Cody is still playing soccer with OCFC coached by former US Mens National team captain, Paul Calguiri.
Shane Shelton is the older brother of the “Shelton boys.” Shane played at CBU and La Sierra universities and is currently finishing his teaching credential in hopes to begin teaching this Fall 2020. Shane currently has the 2006 and 2007 teams at Legends Riverside and his talent is seen in the growth of these teams. He is up for his National C license with the USSF and is an incredible teacher. He has the patience and heart of a true teacher. Most recently, Shane has been a player coach for Coras USA.
Dakota Shelton, the youngest of the “Shelton boys” is currently in charge of our 2005 FC and 2004 Gold teams. Dakota will also be attending his National C with the USSF in a continued effort to grow his ability as a teacher. Dakota has recently completed his California Teaching Credential and will be looking to be hired this fall. Dakota is a relentless worker and recruiter. He has built his teams by himself and continues to thrive in moving them up the competitive ranks.
Jeff Redinger is our Goal Keeper coach at Legends Riverside. Jeff is currently the head goal keeper coach for the men at California Baptist University. All of our goalies love him and say he is the best goalie coach they have ever had within the club and various camps they have attended. He is truly a blessing for the Riverside area. Jeff is extremely good at teaching and is focused on the technical aspects and perfection rather than the overload of repetition.
Adam Wright is one of our two Sports Performance gurus. With the many choices of fitness experts in the area, we always look within our community first for the right fit. Adam is an incredible leader, motivator and coach. He works as hard as any coach I’ve ever met and is extremely ambitious. His knowledge of the Sports Performance field is incredible due to his science background and profound desire to learn and execute. Adam is the owner and operator of Animal House fitness which started in his backyard. We were lucky to be there with him to start his new career path. SInce then, Adam is now in charge of SP for Legends DA at SilverLakes.
Chris Bates is our first Sports Performance coach at Legends Riverside. Chris is the former Head SP coach at California Baptist University. He has an incredible ability to lead and motivate and operates from a very high standard of port performance. Having worked several years solely with collegiate athletes, Chris is monumental in information and activities to develop the Legends Riverside players. Chris works with us in large groups during the fall and spring seasons.
Dylan Firshick is the Legends Riverside Sport Psychologist. Dylan is also a former BIOLA university mens player having played under Director, Bryan Kuderman. Since his time at BIOLA, Dylan has been hard at work earning his PhD in Sport Psychology and is now one of the Sport Psychologists at USC. He works directly with the USC women’s team and has worked with our 2003 and 2004 teams in a 6 week program