VOICE OF THE GAME
Donation protected
VOICE OF THE GAME
A masterclass by the most influential soccer coach in U.S. soccer history.
WHAT'S THE DOCUMENTARY ABOUT?
It’s about one of the most revered coaches in the history of U.S. soccer, who has influenced generations of players and coaches – but whose name is largely unknown, and whose story has never been told.
Manfred “Manny” Schellscheidt has been teaching and coaching the game in the United States for over 50 years. He was literally the first ever A-licensed coach by U.S. Soccer. He has worked at nearly every level of the youth national teams, from the Under 14s to the full national team. He has coached at the youth club and collegiate levels and also has been a force in coaching education for decades.
As Bob Bradley eloquently points out, “Whether you’re a player or a coach, Manny’s words just connect. It sounds a little like the game is talking to you.”
VOICE OF THE GAME is a Manny Schellscheidt master class. From hours of interviews with Manny and those he has inspired, we will assemble a distillation of his philosophy of soccer – and life – forged from his experiences growing up on a German farm after World War II, to moving to New Jersey almost by accident in the 1960s; to having an influence in the U.S. that has been, as Tab Ramos put it, “like Cruyff in Spain.”
Whether you are a member of Sam’s Army or have never watched a soccer match, Manny’s wisdom rings true, and viewers may find themselves using “Manny-isms” on and off the field. His is a soccer story, but it’s also about overcoming obstacles and finding joy in life. As Manny says, “The art of living is to live the moment.”
The film is a celebration of an American soccer treasure; it’s also a private training session with one of the all-time great coaches.
WHY ARE WE MAKING THIS FILM?
Many of us had the good fortune of playing for Manny as young men, were mesmerized by his wit and wisdom, and inspired by his drive for excellence. We have carried his lessons and life philosophies with us ever since, and we want to share all of that with you.
WHAT WILL YOUR SUPPORT GO TOWARDS?
The standard production/post-production costs of a low budget documentary. Fortunately, we’ve already completed most of the filming, and thanks to the generosity of some our MLS-connected participants, the production costs have been relatively modest. So we only anticipate a few more days of filming, and most of our ask is for post-production: editing, sound and color mixing, licensing, film festival fees, and insurance. We're asking for $25,000, but that's the minimum. We’d like to raise even more to make the film even tighter, like a threaded pass through a formidable back four.
None of the filmmakers is profiting from the project; any excess funds raised will be donated to the charity of Manny’s choice.
MEET THE TEAM
Jim Barlow has been the head soccer coach at Princeton University for the past 25 years, and has led the Tigers to five Ivy League titles and reached the NCAA Tournament five times. He is the all-time winningest soccer coach in school history.
Tom McCabe teaches history at Rutgers University-Newark and is currently working on a history of the oldest soccer association outside Britain, the American Football Association. He is president of the Society for American Soccer History.
Kirk Rudell is a writer-producer based in Los Angeles who has worked on shows like Spin City, Will & Grace, and American Dad! He has also contributed to the New Yorker and Vanity Fair magazines.
Kirk and Tom co-wrote and co-produced the award-wining American soccer documentary, SOCCERTOWN, USA.
Patrick White works for HSBC as the global bank’s head of government relationships in the Americas. An accomplished musician, Patrick will compose the score for this documentary.
A masterclass by the most influential soccer coach in U.S. soccer history.
WHAT'S THE DOCUMENTARY ABOUT?
It’s about one of the most revered coaches in the history of U.S. soccer, who has influenced generations of players and coaches – but whose name is largely unknown, and whose story has never been told.
Manfred “Manny” Schellscheidt has been teaching and coaching the game in the United States for over 50 years. He was literally the first ever A-licensed coach by U.S. Soccer. He has worked at nearly every level of the youth national teams, from the Under 14s to the full national team. He has coached at the youth club and collegiate levels and also has been a force in coaching education for decades.
As Bob Bradley eloquently points out, “Whether you’re a player or a coach, Manny’s words just connect. It sounds a little like the game is talking to you.”
VOICE OF THE GAME is a Manny Schellscheidt master class. From hours of interviews with Manny and those he has inspired, we will assemble a distillation of his philosophy of soccer – and life – forged from his experiences growing up on a German farm after World War II, to moving to New Jersey almost by accident in the 1960s; to having an influence in the U.S. that has been, as Tab Ramos put it, “like Cruyff in Spain.”
Whether you are a member of Sam’s Army or have never watched a soccer match, Manny’s wisdom rings true, and viewers may find themselves using “Manny-isms” on and off the field. His is a soccer story, but it’s also about overcoming obstacles and finding joy in life. As Manny says, “The art of living is to live the moment.”
The film is a celebration of an American soccer treasure; it’s also a private training session with one of the all-time great coaches.
WHY ARE WE MAKING THIS FILM?
Many of us had the good fortune of playing for Manny as young men, were mesmerized by his wit and wisdom, and inspired by his drive for excellence. We have carried his lessons and life philosophies with us ever since, and we want to share all of that with you.
WHAT WILL YOUR SUPPORT GO TOWARDS?
The standard production/post-production costs of a low budget documentary. Fortunately, we’ve already completed most of the filming, and thanks to the generosity of some our MLS-connected participants, the production costs have been relatively modest. So we only anticipate a few more days of filming, and most of our ask is for post-production: editing, sound and color mixing, licensing, film festival fees, and insurance. We're asking for $25,000, but that's the minimum. We’d like to raise even more to make the film even tighter, like a threaded pass through a formidable back four.
None of the filmmakers is profiting from the project; any excess funds raised will be donated to the charity of Manny’s choice.
MEET THE TEAM
Jim Barlow has been the head soccer coach at Princeton University for the past 25 years, and has led the Tigers to five Ivy League titles and reached the NCAA Tournament five times. He is the all-time winningest soccer coach in school history.
Tom McCabe teaches history at Rutgers University-Newark and is currently working on a history of the oldest soccer association outside Britain, the American Football Association. He is president of the Society for American Soccer History.
Kirk Rudell is a writer-producer based in Los Angeles who has worked on shows like Spin City, Will & Grace, and American Dad! He has also contributed to the New Yorker and Vanity Fair magazines.
Kirk and Tom co-wrote and co-produced the award-wining American soccer documentary, SOCCERTOWN, USA.
Patrick White works for HSBC as the global bank’s head of government relationships in the Americas. An accomplished musician, Patrick will compose the score for this documentary.
Organizer
Tom McCabe
Organizer
Denville, NJ