Baker University head soccer coach Nate Houser has not played professional indoor soccer since 2005, but that is not stopping him from giving himself one more shot.
Houser signed a one-year contract with the Missouri Comets of Major Indoor Soccer League Tuesday.
Houser was one of the star players of the Kansas City Comets/Attack from 1994-2004 and played in St. Louis and Baltimore in 2005.
Houser gave a simple response to why he decided to play again after not playing for five years.
“(The Comets) asked me to,” Houser said.
Along with Houser, the Comets also are making a return to the MISL as the Missouri Comets.
Kansas City, Mo. has not hosted an indoor soccer team since 2005. The Comets will play their home games in the Independence Events Center, which seats 5,800 spectators.
Although many of the soccer players at Baker are excited for Houser, some are concerned about how Houser will be able to give his full focus to coaching them for the rest of the season.
“I think it’s pretty cool for him that he got an opportunity to play again,” junior Alix Schiraldi said. “I just hope that he is able to find a good balance with playing and coaching.”
Knowing that his players would be concerned, Houser guaranteed playing with the Comets would not interfere with coaching at Baker.
“Nothing will change about my schedule here,” Houser said. “Until our season is done, Baker is absolutely and positively number one, and then even after it is done, it still will be. I’m going to be the coach at Baker for as long as they will have me. I’m not going anywhere.”
The Comets’ season opener will be Nov. 12, which is the same day as the women’s HAAC Tournament Championship game, but Houser insists he will not miss any games for either team.
“Hopefully we’re (Baker) not done until the first week of December,” Houser said. “Hopefully we’re going to the national tournament. That is how we are planning things. I will not miss anything having to do with either team at all.”
Houser will play as a defender, like he has throughout his soccer career. His play earned himself All-Star selections in the 1999 and 2000 seasons.
One major benefit of Houser signing with the Comets is some Baker players have become encouraged that they might be able to play professionally as well after they graduate from Baker.
“Knowing that our coach can play at that level is encouraging for all of us who inspire to play professionally,” junior Tom Lowndes said. “The fact that we can be coached by someone who has played against professionals can only help those of us who want to play on the next level.”
