Summer of soccer prepares Beaver midfielder
Playing for Boulder team gives Ryan Callahan experience and chance to hone his skills
Casey Grogan
Issue date: 11/2/06 Section: Sports
Ryan Callahan is a student of soccer, and has had some great teachers to help him along the way.
Growing up in Lafayette, Calif., Callahan - like many little boys across the nation - played all the sports he could. Despite having a father that played collegiate soccer at UC-Davis and Colorado, Ryan was never pressured onto the pitch.
"I played baseball, tennis and a bunch of other sports too," Callahan said. "I just kind of ended up sticking with [soccer] just because I liked it."
Once he had settled on a sport, having a father with soccer experience benefited Callahan - he received words of advice and pointers from his father for many years.
The pointers worked for Callahan as he played for the California Olympic Development Team and three-time state champion Ballistic United. The success added no pressure from his family, but did add pressure from Callahan.
"I put pressure on myself to reach a higher level," Callahan said. "But there is no pressure from dad or my other family members."
Callahan's father provided him with two gems of wisdom to which he attributes his success on the pitch.
"He talked to me about always having a good attitude and work ethic," Callahan said. "I think that my work ethic is probably what has gotten me to where I am today."
Callahan also received some help from his Ballistic United coach. At the age of 15, Callahan was coached by former U.S. Olympic coach Lothar Osiander, who Callahan says helped shape him as a player.
"When I was fifteen I had a good sense of the game but I was a raw player," Callahan said. "He really honed me in and taught me how to really get to the next level as far as speed of play."
During his senior year at Acalanes High School, Callahan was named Acalanes' Most Valuable Senior Athlete. Callahan not only was a star on the pitch, but in the classroom as well. The four-year honor student received plenty of attention for his soccer ability, but also his skills in the classroom.
Growing up in Lafayette, Calif., Callahan - like many little boys across the nation - played all the sports he could. Despite having a father that played collegiate soccer at UC-Davis and Colorado, Ryan was never pressured onto the pitch.
"I played baseball, tennis and a bunch of other sports too," Callahan said. "I just kind of ended up sticking with [soccer] just because I liked it."
Once he had settled on a sport, having a father with soccer experience benefited Callahan - he received words of advice and pointers from his father for many years.
The pointers worked for Callahan as he played for the California Olympic Development Team and three-time state champion Ballistic United. The success added no pressure from his family, but did add pressure from Callahan.
"I put pressure on myself to reach a higher level," Callahan said. "But there is no pressure from dad or my other family members."
Callahan's father provided him with two gems of wisdom to which he attributes his success on the pitch.
"He talked to me about always having a good attitude and work ethic," Callahan said. "I think that my work ethic is probably what has gotten me to where I am today."
Callahan also received some help from his Ballistic United coach. At the age of 15, Callahan was coached by former U.S. Olympic coach Lothar Osiander, who Callahan says helped shape him as a player.
"When I was fifteen I had a good sense of the game but I was a raw player," Callahan said. "He really honed me in and taught me how to really get to the next level as far as speed of play."
During his senior year at Acalanes High School, Callahan was named Acalanes' Most Valuable Senior Athlete. Callahan not only was a star on the pitch, but in the classroom as well. The four-year honor student received plenty of attention for his soccer ability, but also his skills in the classroom.
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