Retired Los Angeles Galaxy player Paul Caligiuri coaches Holly Rife at practice.

Paul Caligiuri understands the passion of a young athlete's dream. Growing up, he was the bane of opponents and family members alike, focusing on his own goal of playing professional soccer.

"I used to drive my brothers and sisters crazy. You couldn't peel me away from that soccer ball," recalls Caligiuri. "Sure, there's skill, dedication, motivation and focus, but it still comes back to one thing: do you have the passion?"

Caligiuri's passion led to him becoming a national icon, recognized and respected for his role in soccer's growth in the United States.

From his days at Walnut High School to leading UCLA to the 1985 NCAA Division I championship, early success helped Caligiuri earn a spot on the U.S. National Team. Over a 12-year span, he played in 110 matches and will best be remembered for scoring the winning goal against Trinidad & Tabago in 1989 that earned Team USA its first World Cup berth in 40 years. Professionally, he played in Germany-becoming the first American to make a European Division I team roster-and then six years here in Major League Soccer.

Having retired as a player, Caligiuri has taken up a new challenge. As head coach of the Cal Poly Pomona men's and women's soccer teams, he will seek to strengthen the university's intercollegiate program while also increasing its community commitment.

"Our community outreach program is ever growing,"says Caligiuri, who still lives in Walnut. "Coming here, kids are surrounded by the university environment and see possible role models. Plus our student-athletes help out and learn the importance of working with young kids."

It is at the high school and college levels where soccer becomes more than just a game and individuals transition from participants to true players.

"It becomes serious fun. When the hard work comes around, can you dive in and passionately push yourself to do it?" asks Caligiuri. "Thats when those who have that passion inside make it happen."

Transitioning from player to coach is natural for Caliguri, having worked soccer camps and clinics since his senior year in high school. And while guided to teams is admittedly a challenge, he also feels it's a privilage.

"The real challenge is the administrative end. It's like trying to run two businesses at once. The actual coaching is like a breath of fresh air," says Caliguri. "To do this at a highly respected university is something I take a great deal of pride in."

His ability to relate to these college players and them to him may prove Caliguri's biggest advantage. He says the game revolves around speed of play, which includes everything from physical and mental speed to ball movement and defensive pressure.

"Every young player coming from college to the pros will tell you the biggest difference is the speed of what's happening around them," he explains. "If our plaers understand that, they'll be able to adjust and play."

Chalking up wins in not top priority on Caliguri's list. Neither is creating a pipeline to the professional ranks. He emphasizes leadership, improvement and being part of the team. These will help student-athletes prepare for their future lives.

"It's about respect. Respecting your teammates, your opponents, even the game itself. It all translates back to life," says Caliguri. "If I go out and see our players giving their best and really enjoying what they're doing, the final result doesn't matter. Individuals doin their best, the team doin its best and everyone having fun; if we accomplish those things, the rest will follow."