June 20, 2011
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By Pat Salvas
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF men's soccer coach Bryan Cunningham took time out his schedule Monday morning to speak to a group of kids at Corner Lake Middle School as part of a Boys and Girls Club summer program.
Cunningham spoke to a group of 25 youngsters about the tools needed to be successful at the collegiate level and beyond. His message focused on integrity, loyalty, hard work and good character growing up and how those assets will help them later on in life.
The Knights head coach since 2007, Cunningham led his team to new heights in 2010 as UCF was ranked in the nation's top 20 for the first time in program history and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling in overtime to eventual College Cup semifinalist Michigan, 2-1.
Cunningham talked about the path he took and the lessons he learned along the way that eventually led him to his successes at UCF. He also stressed the importance of time management for his student-athletes and how these good habits should begin in middle school.
"It was great to get out there and talk to the kids," Cunningham said. "I really wanted to convey the message that hard work and good values will lead to success down the road. These kids see the glamour part of sports, but I really wanted to stress the importance of doing well in school and good character. Those things are just as important in college athletics as their ability to perform on the field."
The kids asked Coach Cunningham about UCF academics, what types of attributes he looks for when recruiting his players and what he did to get into coaching following his talk.