Phil Wheddon stood in a noise-filled Beijing locker room celebrating his second Olympic gold as assistant coach for the U.S. women’s soccer team.

Then, he received a phone call. The caller ID did not show who was calling, but he answered anyway.

Through the background noise, Wheddon could hear the cheers of the Syracuse women’s soccer team (1-0), congratulating its head coach on his victory.

Within a few minutes the connection for the call was lost, but the cheers from his collegiate team was all Wheddon needed to be completely satisfied with his national team’s win.

‘It was so meaningful that the team called,’ Wheddon said. ‘Luckily, I had my phone on. I couldn’t hear much, but to receive that phone call made the moment even more memorable.’

The win came Aug. 21 and was the U.S.’s second gold in as many Olympics. As the 29th Olympiad passed, Wheddon is back in Syracuse, ready for his new team’s season. SU brought Wheddon on as head coach of the women’s soccer team March 26. Director of Athletics Daryl Gross hired him, fully content with the possibility that the Olympics could delay his first campaign.

One gold medal later, he can now join his new college team.

Olympic coaches do not receive medals, but Wheddon was able to take a picture with one around his neck and stand on the podium with his team as the Star-Spangled Banner played. He will receive a replica medal in the near future.

‘It was a very emotional on many different levels,’ Wheddon said. ‘The pride associated with winning a gold medal for your country is indescribable.’

Wheddon said the U.S. winning gold was unexpected due to the loss of three key players only a few months before the Olympics. Not to mention a gold would mean going through heavy favorite Brazil.

Wheddon was the goalkeeper coach for the U.S. team, and will work with Syracuse goalie Eliza Bennett-Hattan this season.

The U.S. team lost its opening round game to Norway, 2-0, but when Japan defeated Norway, the U.S. had a chance at the gold medal game.

‘You can never underestimate the power of a team,’ Wheddon said. ‘Most teams have one or two key or star players. During the Olympic tournament we relied on all 18 players for a win. That is the type of teamwork I hope to bring to Syracuse. Everyone should work together and not rely on one or two people.’

Wheddon praised the SU soccer staff for taking care of the team while he was in Beijing.

The Orange won its season-opener against Albany, 3-1, without its Olympic coach. Wheddon is back in Syracuse now, and will be on the sideline this Friday when SU travels to Virginia to take on William and Mary.

‘I’m very excited to be back in Syracuse,’ he said. ‘The players have responded tremendously. We’ve had one practice already and I think it’s going to be a very successful season for us.’

mkgalant@syr.edu

Published on August 27, 2008 at 12:00 pm