Heritage Hires Boys Soccer Coach

Christhian Saavedra
Christhian Saavedra

ROGERS -- Christhian Saavedra may not have any head coaching experience, but that didn't bother Mark Holderbaum.

Holderbaum, athletic director for the Rogers School District, spoke in glowing terms about the 23-year-old who was recently hired as the Rogers Heritage boys soccer coach.

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Christhian Saavedra

"I think he's the whole package," Holderbaum said. "He's one of those young teacher/coaches who is mature beyond their years. I think he's got what it takes to coach in the 7A-West and lead our kids and to continue the tradition and build on it."

Saavedra served as a certified volunteer assistant coach for the War Eagles last season and played collegiate soccer for three years, one at Northeastern (Okla.) State and two more at Central Baptist College.

Holderbaum said Saavedra knows soccer, but the interview went beyond just soccer though.

"He did a nice job with the War Eagles last year," Holderbaum said. "But we talked about his principals, leadership and being a role model. He talked a lot about giving back and being a part of the community. We're excited about having him on board."

Saavedra was just enjoying his summer and anticipating his first teaching job at Kirksey Middle School when he got the call about interviewing for the Heritage boys coaching job. Franklin Jennings, who served as the coach for one season, resigned for personal reasons in late June.

"I was surprised for sure," Saavedra said. "I was just enjoying my summer and happy I got a job. They just put the icing on the cake. I couldn't imagine being a head coach in my first year of teaching."

Jeff Barker, who has coached prep soccer in Rogers for 20 years and coached Saavedra, said the job is in great hands.

"I think they got a good one," Barker said. "He'll do a great job with the kids. In his mind, he's already figuring out ways to teach them."

Saavedra bypassed his fourth year of eligibility to concentrate on getting his college degree and moving on to a master's program.

"He wanted to play soccer, and he was going to do whatever it took to be successful," Barker said. "He got his master's degree, and that was quite a feat for him and he did pretty much on his own."

He grew up in El Salvador but moved to Rogers when he was 13. Saavedra credited Barker for helping him learn the culture and acclimate to life in this country.

"He helped me so much getting acclimated to the culture and understanding the importance of education," Saavedra said. "He kept me in line and called the Northeastern coach to give me a chance to play in college. I feel like now I get the opportunity to influence kids' lives like he did with me, and that's what makes my job so special."

But he also said his upbringing shaped who he is.

"I was fortunate to grow up in a third world country," Saavedra said. "I say fortunate because a lot of my mentality of hard worker and to work for something that you love comes from my background of growing up in a third world country."

Sports on 07/22/2014

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