Coaches are the most crucial aspect of determining a player’s development. A coach is not only an influential figure in the specifics of a sport, the success of a team and a team dynamic, but they also play a huge part in the success and growth of their players individually, relating to the game and in life. Coach Christopher Hernandez has perfected his craft, as he now leads both the Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity Soccer teams at Downers Grove South.

Before a person can become a leader, they must develop a fondness and dedication to the subject of their leadership. Hernandez discovered his love for the sport at an early age, but soccer was not his first passion.

“I was always a baseball guy. My dad, my grandfather, and his three brothers all played professionally in the MLB, so I came from a baseball family. However, I had the opportunity to play with some friends for soccer and try out for a travel club, and I made it,” Hernandez said.

Not only do most people feel love for a certain sport, but they also have a favorite team within that sport. Hernandez found his team by chance, nonetheless, it helped to solidify his dedication to soccer.

“My dad was never a bandwagon person; he said ‘If you are going to find a team, pick one team and follow it.’ So I happened to be flipping through the TV channels one day, and Manchester United was playing League United. Manchester United was wearing their red jerseys, and I loved red at the time, so I decided that Manchester United was my team,” he said.

Hernandez was introduced to coaching at the young age of 18 years old; he was a student fresh out of high school, and he was invited by Coach Johnathan Stapleton to act as a volunteer coach while he continued his studies locally at the College of Dupage. He was brought in to integrate a new coach into the soccer program at Downers Grove South, but his role as a volunteer cultivated his future career of coaching.

Throughout his long coaching career, Hernandez has had numerous opportunities to reflect on what the attributes of a good coach consist of.

“I think communication is a key attribute of a coach; being transparent and building trust with players is very important. I think people buy in a little more if they trust you and believe in what you, and they, are doing,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez expands on what transparency means to individual players.

“Also, this goes along with honesty. If you are being honest with a player, whether delivering positive feedback or negative news, it builds a strong mindset within the player,” Hernandez said.

Defining these attributes is the first step to developing and maturing as a coach, but taking the next step and applying them to the team setting is of utmost importance. Every coach will face challenges throughout their careers, and some come with more magnitude than others. How a coach responds and utilizes key attributes when facing the most daunting of challenges truly defines them.

When asked about the biggest challenge he had faced as a coach, Hernandez recalled how he used honesty and support to keep his team unified and strong in a time that was mentally taxing on the players and himself alike.

“I’d say probably the heaviest challenge I’ve faced is in my first year coaching here, as the head of the girls program in 2015. Over spring break, one of our senior captains passed away during the middle of the season. So, coming back from the break, meeting the team, and making sure they were supported appropriately by all of the wonderful counselors and administration that we have here at the school were a lot of the steps that I took following the event,” Hernandez said.

Using his years of experience, each year Hernandez was able to lead both his girls’ and boys’ teams to success throughout the season. This year was no exception. The Boys’ Varsity Soccer Team had an extremely rewarding season, and their results exemplified the entire program’s extremely hard work.

“With Hinsdale South, we have a unique tradition called Battle of the Bell. A fifty-pound bell was bought in the 70s, and Downers South and Hinsdale South always play for it, and the winner keeps it for the year.

Hernandez adds to the teams that he wants to beat in the next soccer season.

“We currently have the bell, it is over in the showcase right now. So, Hinsdale is a historic rivalry that we have had for a long time as well. In addition, I’d love to beat Morton in our conference, as they are a quality team, so to be able to challenge them would be ideal,” Hernandez said.

Although the varsity team did not get a result in their game against Morton, they took two exciting victories over Downers Grove North High School and Hinsdale South High School. The team was able to attain a win over Downers Grove North in a heated shootout that followed a 2-2 tie in regulation time.

The boys also took home the Bell, beating Hinsdale South in the Battle of the Bell for yet another year. Their most exhilarating accomplishment of this season, however, may be their earning of the title of Regional Champions in a 5-0 match that resulted in favor of the Mustangs. This year, the team had numerous accomplishments and was able to be successful in their season through dedication, passion, and the outstanding leadership of their coach.