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Mark Soto – Local Coach Making Impact

July 8, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Laredo Law News Release


LAREDO, Texas – All teams require players and personnel to fit into roles that form one cohesive unit which helps the team to function properly. If the athlete is the engine that drives the ship, the coaches are the pilots that help the team navigate. Local United High School football coach Mark Soto has been helping the Laredo Law in their maiden voyage this year in arenafootball2.

Soto is currently the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the United Longhorns. The San Antonio native knew that his future lay in the coaching ranks from his early days around the game.

"I knew that my body size (5'8" 160 pounds in high school) wasn't going to get me into professional sports," said Soto. "I wanted to stick with football. My coach in high school, D.W. Rutledge, was a good role model for coaching and he helped push me towards the profession."

Soto played at Judson High School in Converse, Texas a suburb of San Antonio. He then turned his attention to college football where he spent four years at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri from 1991-95. He was a first team All Heart of America conference selection as a linebacker and was selected as the team defensive MVP his senior year. After graduation with a B.S. in Physical Education, he made the dean's list three times, he got his first coaching job at Glasgow High School as an assistant track coach.

"The biggest thing about coaching that I didn't realize until I got into it, was all the behind the scenes preparation," explained Soto. "Setting up cones, drills, uniforms, doing paperwork, getting addresses, making phone lists, calling kids in the summer all the stuff you don't see."

Prior to coming to Laredo last summer he had been an assistant football coach at Poteet High School, Seguin High School, Calallen High School, and Holmes High School in San Antonio. At Calallen he also helped the baseball team to a 4A state title in 2000.

"I enjoy working with high school kids," said Soto. "You can mold and shape them and teach good values. The things I teach now, are the same things I was taught in school by my coaches. The first thing I say to my kids is ‘I am going to make you a better person which will make you a better football player'."

Soto, who is single, was asked to join the Law staff this spring by head coach Scot Maynard. The job fits perfectly around the high school football and teaching schedule. Soto coaches the Law Fullback / Linebackers and coordinates the special teams.

"There are two big differences between coaching high school and professional athletes, egos and repetition," explained Soto. "In high school the kids will do whatever you ask, in the pros they may give you a look now and then when you tell them something. The other difference is repetitions. With the Law you explain it once and they get it, while in high school you have to repeat it over and over."

Whether it is United High School, or arenafootball2 with the Laredo Law, one thing remains paramount.

"It is all based on attitude in our programs," said Soto. "You can wake up in a bad mood, but when you come to play football you have to set your attitude right. Attitude drives all your choices. If you have a good attitude, you make the right decision, a negative attitude means you make the wrong choice."

The Law is home on Friday night against the Arkansas Twisters. The first 2,500 fans receive a ‘DEFENSE' sign courtesy of ADT. Also fans are encouraged to bring a can of food for donation to the Laredo Food Bank. For tickets call (956) 726-GAME (4263) or go online at www.laredolaw.com.

LAW ON THE RADIO

Catch the Law all season on 94.9 The New Qure FM. The games will also be video streamed over the internet through www.af2tv.com.

LAW WEEKLY

Law Weekly with head coach Scot Maynard airs every Thursday night at 6 p.m. on Laredo News Talk AM 1490 KLNT.

LAW IN THE COMMUNITY

To schedule the Law for a player appearance contact Nicole Thompson at (956-523-6586) or nthompson@laredobucks.com.

ABOUT THE af2

In four short seasons the af2 has nearly doubled in size from 15 teams to 25. arenafootball2 promotes a fan friendly attitude with autograph sessions on the field for the home team after each game. The af2 and the AFL strictly adhere to a Fans Bill of Rights which is unique to any major sport. The Fans Bill of Rights includes: every fan is entitled to a wholesome environment for guests and family members, free of violence, profane gestures and language or rude and invasive behavior that could in any way interfere with a first-class entertainment experience; every fan demands that we maintain absolute respect for the game of Arena Football and maintain the integrity of the finest of fair competition at all times; every Fan deserves our very best effort on a consistent basis, on every play on the field, every action in the stands, every call to our office, and every involvement in our community.

For ticket information contact the Laredo Law at (956) 726-GAME (4263) or visit www.laredolaw.com.

(956)-726-GAME (4263)

www.laredolaw.com

Laredo Law Football – "A New Brand of Justice"

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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