Call him a “chip of the old block” Markus Schulz knows a thing or two about coaching and being successful at it as well. Markus who joined Schulz Academy as a trainer in 2006 is starting to make waves in the Boca Raton community. Tall handsome and very charismatic, the young Mr. Schulz is starting to attract many young players to the Schulz Academy training fields. Markus so impressed the soccer patrons that word quickly spread to Boca Preparatory Headmaster Mr. Graham Hurrell who was looking to inject some energy and new direction for the school’s stagnant soccer program. Hurrell offered Schulz the job hoping that the youngster’s enthusiastic style, soccer knowledge, and personality would inspire some good performances. To make a long story short, the move worked and results surpassed everyone’s expectations.
In his first season as the head coach for Boca Prep, a private international high school located in Boca Raton Florida, the young Mr. Schulz guided the school to its most successful season ever. The Boca Prep Lions, as they are called, finished with a record of 13-2 and, along the way, stunned last years state champs Trinity Christian by ending their 22 game win streak – the Lions beat Trinity twice by the way. An overtime penalty shootout would eventually end the Lions incredible season, but the players walked away knowing they were part of something special as they created school history. Such was the influence of Markus Schulz who learned the game under the guidance of his father Dr. Josef Schulz.
Markus brings his own unique style to the game. No pun on the word “style.” The charismatic young Mr. Schulz doubles as a model and actor who has made film and stage appearances with the likes of Academy Award winner Robin Williams. His modeling portfolio can drive teenage girls crazy and can easily make for teenage girls’ MySpace background material. His good looks he inherited from his mother, Barbara, who herself has modeled professionally. His look is European Metro-sexual, which is the look we all wish we had but that only Markus and Beckham can pull off. Once word gets out that this David Beckham like personality is at the training ground, the Academy may have to employ security to keep the girls away…the soccer-moms are already queued up…it’s a sight to see. However from a soccer standpoint, his approach, his demeanor, and his style of communication and feedback are a huge attraction for the kids who come to train at the Academy. Everyone wants to be in Coach Markus’s group.
In many ways Markus resembles Schulz (Josef) in his training, but his delivery is somewhat different. By resemble I mean he teaches the same basic things and he is getting the same results. The players are learning, they respond well to Markus, they are enthusiastic in the execution of their exercises, and they are having fun. Markus is not Josef, his style is different, but the players seem to like what he brings to the table. The kids love him and that is good, and they also respect him, which is very important.
“The kids all love Markus” states Gary Cole, the Academy Girls Coordinator, “He has a certain way with them and they all want to be in Coach Markus’s sessions. He also knows what he’s doing. He knows how to train and this is the most important quality we look for in our trainers. Can they create an environment that is fun, challenging, and conducive to learning? Markus is able to achieve this and for me it’s no surprise because he is a Schulz.”
True, Markus has learned from the best. His father, Dr. Josef Schulz, is highly regarded as one of the very best soccer trainers in the country. The senior Schulz was instrumental in the creation of the soccer program at the IMG Academy which now serves as the home for the U.S. Soccer U17 Residency Program. Schulz currently has 4 players in the U.S. U17 Residency Program. Dr. Schulz and his academy’s involvement popularized the Super Y-League in South Florida and Schulz Academy produced the “Greatest team in the history of the Super Y-League” according to Super Y-League organizers. Schulz has placed 17 players in youth national team programs over the past year and a half alone. The senior Schulz’s training credentials are further validated by his young 18 year old prodigy, Josmer Altidore, who is being sought after by Real Madrid no less.
Markus Schulz has already exhibited much of the qualities that will enable him to approach his father’s success with soccer in the near future. And with the experience and support of the senior Schulz behind him, there is an aura of inevitability about his successes in the game in the years to come.
