South Middlesex Times

Denise Reddy is no stranger to the Miller Family Soccer Complex, although it didn’t exist when she was a two-time team captain and an All-American in soccer at Rutgers more than 30 years ago.

The professional coach has returned often since then to help out during Rutgers women’s soccer team workouts on the Piscataway campus. Recently, her stop at Rutgers took on special meaning when she appeared on the field as an assistant coach with the Olympic-bound U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team.

“It’s amazing to be able to come back and have an [Olympic] camp in New Jersey before going to the Olympics,” she said, just outside the complex in the heat of an early July afternoon. “I’m honored to be part of the U.S. National Team, but to be able to come back and train at my alma mater is really special.”

Her coaching journey began when she was still a member of the Rutgers team, working with New Jersey’s Olympic Development Program in 1989. Thirty-five years later, at age 52, she couldn’t help but appreciate how far she has come.

Among the players she is coaching is another Rutgers grad. Casey Murphy, Class of 2017, is a goalkeeper and also a Jersey girl from Bridgewater. Reddy grew up in Hazlet and now resides in Point Pleasant.

“Casey is a huge part of Rutgers. I’ve trained with her, played against her a little bit in pickup games. And being a Jersey girl,” Reddy said, "that means a lot.”

Reddy couldn’t help but think back to her days as a center-back player, long before the spacious practice facility existed: “We trained behind the RAC (now Jersey Mike’s Arena), by the baseball field. When I played here, we played on an AstroTurf field that lacrosse plays on now. That was our match field.”

Later this month, the field she coaches on will be in Paris for the Olympic Games.

Although she has coached soccer for 35 years, she feels she actually was a better basketball player. Reddy was a varsity letterwinner in both soccer (1988-91) and basketball (1990-93) at Rutgers, winning an A-10 hoops title under legendary coach Theresa Grentz.

“I’ve always loved football,’’ she said, using the international word for soccer. “It was my passion. I was the ball girl for the (North American Soccer League) Cosmos in ’78-’79. Who knows why? No one in my family likes soccer.”

Despite earning a degree in communication in 1993 as a Douglass College student, she chose a career in coaching instead of business.

“I’m not an office person. I love being on the grass; I love developing; plus I can’t sit at a desk for more than five minutes,’’ Reddy said.

While playing for a pro team in Malmo, Sweden, she also coached at several academies there and has coached multiple professional teams in the U.S., both as an assistant and head coach.

“I’ve always been a leader when I played—whether basketball or football—I’ve always been a captain,” Reddy stated emphatically. “I’ve always loved breaking down games; I just always had a passion to coach even through my playing career when I was playing professionally.”

Her college experience as both student and athlete played major roles in her development: “I do think this being such a huge university you have to navigate space,’’ she explained. “Playing two sports definitely molded me into someone who can handle multiple situations—from [basketball coach] Theresa Grentz and [soccer coach] Charlie Duccilli—I learned so much and grew for sure."

“Funny story,’’ Reddy added with amusement: “When I got into Rutgers I wanted to be a dancer. So when I told my dad I was going to major in dance he said ‘You’re not going to be an aerobics instructor for life…so no.’”

Reflecting on her current achievements: “It hasn’t sunk in yet,’’ admitted Reddy.

What remains clear is what this team aims for: “This is a team that’s going to try and have control—to be organized—so that when they lose possession they can win it back quickly,” concluded Reddy about their strategy.

Reddy maintains ties with several former teammates through WhatsApp group chats daily and reunions held two or three times annually.

As recognition of her athletic prowess continues—she ranks among notable All-Americans like Amirah Ali Carli Lloyd Beth Schmenti—and Casey Murphy—the memories linger vividly since childhood days kicking around Sandy Hook beach remain fresh:

“I’m proud my name appears upon that All-American banner,’’ reflected proudly while nodding towards Yurcak Field." Proudly representing New Jersey doing what loves most important every day—that matters most."

Now more than ever.