Ask any coach. Overseeing a Division I program can be taxing. Endless recruiting visits, managing of academics, constant meetings, practices and, of course, the games.
Starting a new program from scratch, the to-do list swells immensely. Starting one amidst a pandemic? Strap in.
Chicago State men's soccer hadn't existed since the late 1980s. But this year, new head coach
Trevor Banks is building the program back from the ground up — against the backdrop of COVID-19.
"It's been a whirlwind, in a great way," Banks said. "Everyone always says that as a head coach, you'll be able to put your own spin on it. Well, I'm putting my own complete spin on it. I don't have to change anything. I'm walking in and doing exactly what I want, from the start."
Banks spent the last four years at Brown University, where he had served as associate head coach since February of 2017. A Carencro, Louisiana native, he has also coached at Villanova, Merchant Marine Academy, Barry University and William Woods University. Banks played collegiately at Kentucky Wesleyan from 2006-09.
"I've always wanted to start a program," Banks said. "And I've always been ambitious about being a Division I head coach. Being able to do the two together is really special. But being able to do it in the Southside of Chicago, the same type of neighborhood I grew up in, is very special to me."
In mid-July, Banks accepted the Chicago State job, his first Division I head coaching gig. He officially started on August 3
rd.
"Until then, my focus was finishing out the best possible 2021 class for Brown, which by the way, turned out to be very good," Banks said. "Then, my focus shifted. It went from closing out the 2021 class to starting over completely with a 2020 class here at Chicago State. For me, this late with a potential season coming, it was about contacts. I went into the old black book and called everyone I knew."
A day in the life of Banks revolves around roster-building. He has six players on campus for training right now, a number that will grow to 17 next semester.
"Recruiting is the forte right now," Banks said. "When you're building a full roster and have absolutely nothing, it's one of the best things in the world. The door is wide open right now, for the right fit. We have an opportunity for the right student-athlete to come in and help us be successful."
COVID-19 has moved Banks' recruiting visits online and modified the program's game schedule. In lieu of playing this fall, the Cougars will begin competition this spring as an independent before joining the Western Athletic Conference as a full member for the 2021 season.
Banks holds training sessions for the team five days a week, emphasizing culture, team building, fitness and technique. The sessions start at 7:15 a.m. Banks wakes up three hours before, essentially in the middle of the night. For a coach whose favorite day is Monday, that isn't a revelation.
"I'm a big morning and Monday guy," Banks said. "I have a very positive influential attitude. I'm aggressive, and I know what I want. I want to win."
Still in its infancy, the men's soccer program has a philosophy from its lead man: A.C.E., which stands for Attitude, Commitment, Effort.
"Those are the three things the individual can control," Banks said. "No matter the talent or lack thereof, if you have a great attitude, you're committed 100% and you put 100% effort into everything you do both on and off the field, you can be successful. That's my life motto."
