Even after years of coaching, Russ Kline (bottom right) says there’s something that keeps bringing him back out onto the field to work with high school athletes.
“It’s about teaching them things they don’t learn about in history and science classes, that they can apply later in life – that’s what we’re passionate about,” Kline says.
A long-time coach and an athletic director at Berks County’s Conrad Weiser High School, Kline is starting the 2025 season as an assistant to Garden Spot High School’s new girls soccer coach, Kara Huber.
Their goal, Kline says, is “creating a new culture at Garden Spot. We might not be the biggest or the strongest or the fastest, but there’s no reason for us to not be the hardest workers.”
The enthusiastic Kline couldn’t resist the opportunity to assist Huber, who takes over after a 2-15 season in 2024.
People he knows in the sport told him, “You need to get your girls to fall in love with the game again,” and Kline says that’s what Huber and he hope to do.
Two of his team’s captains, attacking midfielder Kayla Weaver (bottom left) and goalkeeper Grace Youndt (top photo), both juniors, are starting to look like team leaders to Kline. “They’re building a foundation for Garden Spot girls soccer,” he says, noting that the program already has 10 more girls playing than in 2024.
Weaver feels like “our job this year is to just up the positivity that we have on the team.
“We’re here to not only improve hopefully on the field, but as people, whether in the weight room, talking to people – so I think we’re going to hit a lot of goals.”
Kline knew Huber from when she played soccer with Kline’s daughter, and Huber asked Kline to become her assistant. He calls her a “wonderful role model,” and he’s been very impressed with the players’ offseason training, dedication and attitude.
LNP | LancasterOnline hosted Media Day at its downtown Lancaster office to connect local media with Lancaster-Lebanon League players and coaches.
