OC recognizes coach for his accolades

Photo by: Henoc Kivuye

 

A coach who holds both national and international soccer titles inspires students through his humble lifestyle.

Tom Odhiambo, one of the greatest goal scorers in NAIA history, joined the Oklahoma Christian University Eagles coaching staff in 2006.

“I know Coach Tom because a couple of years back we decided that we were going to start going to [Oklahoma Christian] soccer games,” junior Benjamin Meaders said. “I was kind of sad that no one was supporting our team, so we decided that we’d go and support them.”

According to Meaders, Odhiambo was fundamental in helping out this group of supporters.

“At the end of the season my sophomore year he came out with a picture that his wife had taken of me while I was bringing a ball back into the game that had rolled way out,” Meaders said. “The picture was blown up and put on a poster and he had the whole team sign it. So if anything, that says that he’s a super nice guy.”

According to Meaders, there are occasionally instances when conflict can arise between soccer players during games.

“He seems like a real positive person to have on staff,” Meaders said. “[Players] don’t mesh well together all the time, but it seemed like coach Tom played a positive part in trying to counteract some of the possible negativity.”

Odhiambo has coaching experience at the collegiate, high school and club level.

His coaching stops include Putnam City West High School, Edmond Santa Fe High School, the Southern Kentucky Soccer Club, the Edmond Soccer Club and of course Oklahoma Christian.

“I’ve enjoyed being at OC,” Odhiambo said. “I’m grateful for my job at OC. I was a good player, but I needed to learn how to be a coach. It’s been a Godsend to be here and to learn how to coach. I love it here.”

For some people, accomplishing great things in life may be the only things that matter, but not for Odhiambo.

“I’m a coach now, and my job is to pass my knowledge on to those kids,” Odhiambo said. “That’s the only thing that matters to me as a coach. My job is to transfer my knowledge about the game. I’m very passionate about the game.”

Junior Chelsie Flagg, a member of the Oklahoma Christian women’s soccer team, met Odhiambo when she first came to the university.

“I never knew that he was as good of a soccer player as he is,” Flagg said. “I didn’t know that he was in a world cup qualifying game. I never knew that he was a playable character in FIFA.”

According to Odhiambo, if you play professionally or internationally for a soccer team, you will end up on a video game.

Odhiambo was a four-time NAIA All-American and ranks fifth in NAIA career goals, and sixth in points.

“He’s not one to brag about his accomplishments or skills,” Flagg said. “He’s just very humble. He treats everybody the same. He respects everybody the same amount. He doesn’t put anyone above anyone else. He could be talking to a famous person and would treat that person like anyone else.”

Odhiambo transferred to Oklahoma Christian as a student in 2001.

During his first season at a new school, he scored 22 goals to help the Eagles reach the NAIA national quarterfinals.

“He’s all about hard work and he pushes you to the limit,” Flagg said. “Nobody ever knows that he holds NAIA scoring records. He’s won three national championships.  He’s one of the most famous strikers to ever come out of Kenya. He played in Asia; he’s played in Europe – he’s played all over. You would never know that because of how humble he is.”

According to Flagg, Odhiambo is a family man who tries to instill the importance of working hard in his children.

“I see him interact with his kids after the games and before games,” Flagg said. “He has a son named Simba and a daughter named Isabela. He makes them punch bags, run up hills and work out; they’re four and six.”

Senior Rodgers Otieno plays on the men’s soccer team at Oklahoma Christian and, like Odhiambo, is a native Kenyan.

“Apart from him being my coach, he’s like a father figure to me,” Otieno said. “A lot of times I go to him when I need something, and he helps me.”

Although Otieno and Odhiambo are both natives of Kenya, they didn’t know each other previously.

In fact, Otieno was introduced to Odhiambo through Odhiambo’s  brother.

“I used to talk to him thru e-mail before I met him physically,” Otieno said. “His brother told me that he was looking for players, and that’s when we first starting talking. I met him in person when I came to OC.”

According to Otieno, Odhiambo has made him realize the principles of working hard and achieving goals. He said he has helped him get to where he is.

“Personally, I didn’t know that I could make it here and play soccer,” Otieno said. “But through him encouraging me and telling me to work hard, it has become reality.”

Odhiambo said that being around friends and helping people achieve goals keeps him motivated.

“It pushes because if he accomplished so many things, I can come and do the same,” Otieno said. “It motivates me to work hard. You feel proud to see your countryman having achieved all of this.”