Ray Gaddis on Legacy, Leadership, and Giving Back to Indy Soccer

I played at the same youth club from ages four to eighteen. Throughout my childhood, soccer was a constant in my life, and Indy Burn/ USAi was the vehicle for that experience. As I grew up and learned more about the Indianapolis soccer landscape, I slowly began to understand the plight of soccer clubs on the west side of town. The team I felt a connection to and had pride for didn’t have the same level of wealth or resources as other teams. Ray Gaddis became a heralded figure of success at the club as a reminder of the former glory of a struggling youth soccer club.

While Ray is 11 years older than I, his youth experience at Indy Burn has similarities in demographic and club identity, but differences in the socioeconomic state of the club. He is aware of the downturn in club registration numbers and level of play since his departure to West Virginia University. He has recently concluded his 11-year professional soccer career and

returned to Indianapolis with the intention of bringing prosperity back to his former club. As someone who looks up to Ray and is a current coach at the club, I saw this interview as an opportunity to expand on his vision for Indy Burn/ USAi, Indianapolis, and life.

Q: Tell me about growing up in Indianapolis and what it was like winning state cup 8 times?

A: It was amazing. First and foremost, I think that we had a great pool of players. It wasn't always players from the Indianapolis area. I think the coach that we had, Coach Isang Jacob did a great job of cultivating an atmosphere where the best players wanted to play, obviously trying to leverage an opportunity to play at the collegiate level and or, put themselves in the best position to play potentially in the future for the professional ranks of

different respective clubs.

I think that he [Isang Jacob] made it competitive, where it was day-in and day-out atmosphere where you knew you were going to get better. Also, that you were going to be a good human being. That's something that we're trying to do, definitely direct this generation of players to be more than just soccer players.

Q: What was it like winning the state championship in North Central and was Jerry Little an impactful coach in your development?

A: There was high expectation. I used this word earlier; the landscape of soccer is a little bit different as in terms of, high school soccer was big, especially in states like St. Louis and Illinois and Indiana, especially in California. It was just as big as club soccer was. He [Jerry Little] was a little bit different than Coach Jacob, cause he's way more hard nose, and very non-tolerant as in terms of what he wants, and you better do it his way. Coach Jacob was more of an expressive coach, a tactician type. Coach Little was more ‘you better outwork them’/ ‘ if we aren't going to outplay them with our soccer, we're definitely going to beat them with our hustle’. I think it was a very eye opening for me in my freshman year, making varsity having players who will go on to have illustrious, collegiate careers, but also being able to know that I can compete with them and that they entrusted me within the program to be able to do what I needed to do as a player and be able to excel as well on the field.

Q: It just seems like an interesting choice for an Indianapolis guy to go out to West Virginia. How was your experience there? What took you there? Tell me all about the story.

A: I didn't want to follow in the footsteps of other people who had came through North Central. I wanted to make my own path to success. The other component was the money involved with these conferences. So now the conferences have gotten shaken up. But at the time, the Big East, (outside the A.C.C.) was the best conference. We faced UConn twice while I was in school. We beat them twice. South Florida was always a top 25 team. Louisville was always a top 25 team. Providence was always a top 25 team. Notre Dame was always a top 10 team. So every week, I felt like I was going to play who I'm going to play against at the next level. So if I am with these guys who are supposed to be the Hermann trophy candidates and are supposed to be the best collegiate players and All-Americans, then I have a good opportunity. We knew that the scouts were going to come. And obviously, two of my other teammates, who became my roommates, even great friends today, they ended up committing to West Virginia as well.

Q: “I’ve read that Isang was an early positive role model as a black man for you in a predominantly white American soccer world. What was the culture like around that 1990 Indy burn team, and how did Isang create such a massively successful and cohesive group of young players?

A: Being inclusive. He took time out to understand each person's needs. We had a Nigerian and we had a couple of Mexican Americans. We had some people that were Traditional Jewish. We had people from different nations. He always set up days for us to get to know one another. I believe that racism isn't a thing that you're born with. It's taught over time, right? So if you don't assimilate people into understanding that there's culture outside of their own cultural norms, then (this is something I preach when doing keynotes as well) it kind of hinders a person, To allow them to believe their own reality is the only reality. And Coach Jacob didn't do that; he would sit us down and match us with players to get to know one another, it helped our cohesion. It helped us be on one accord when it came time to play, because I had an understanding of this person, or I knew what this person was going through.

Q: What was it like receiving the NAACP Image Award in your rookie season, and was that experience impactful in your decision to be an integral part of the creation of the Black Players for Change?

A: You never know who's watching you. You never know what you're doing, how it may affect somebody. That was just merely a residual effect of doing what was taught to me at an early age through ministry. I was taught that everybody is somebody and you have to treat them with the same type of respect, but also try to empower the African American base in society, especially going to a predominantly white institution.

I also saw a need. Although predominantly the athletes [at WVU] were African

Americans and were the ones who were the driving force in revenue in certain sports, such as football and basketball. There needed to be an opportunity for not only us to come together, but also to have a spokesman. I was very close with a lot of individuals at West Virginia, and again, had made an immediate impact from learning some of the same things that I learned from the club[USAi], but also my church. I was on the SAC, student advisory

committee, to try to harness and bring issues of awareness to the institution outside of just us being athletes or in the student body.

While speaking with Ray, I felt the energy of someone who has worked hard and is proud of their accomplishments, but also has the drive to keep fighting for change and making a positive impact in their community. I was impressed with how highly he spoke about the people and places of his youth career after having such an illustrious professional career. This gave a very

down-to-earth feel to the interview that assured me the answers I received were authentic and came from a positive place. Every time I have had the chance to speak with Ray, he has been respectful and gracious to those around him.

The main lesson I will learn from this experience is unrelenting humility. From our interview, it is clear that with every step Ray took in his career, he maintained the morals and values instilled in him as a kid, never thinking he was better than another person or too big time to give back to his community.

In my personal sporting career, I have encountered many different personalities and attitudes of the people around me. I always had a feeling that karma would catch up to the people who cut corners and step on top of others to further themselves. I believe that doing the right thing and treating people right will lead you towards a better life of your own. Getting the chance to learn more about Ray’s story and perspectives confirmed my belief that even at the highest level, being a good person is always a strength.