Get to know the Asphalt Green staff better! We think our employees are amazing—and we think you’ll agree. Learn about our top-notch team in the Staff Spotlight series on the Asphalt Green blog.
Name: Erica Crossman
Job Title: Soccer Coach (U11 and U15 girls)
Asphalt Green Department: Youth Sports
Asphalt Green Campus: Upper East Side
Q: How long have you been working at Asphalt Green?
A: This is my third year coaching at Asphalt Green.
Q: What do you do at Asphalt Green?
A: I am a soccer coach for two girls teams. I coach the U11 Division 1 Legends (third year) and the U15 Premier Division 2 Riptide (second year).
Q: What is your favorite aspect of working at Asphalt Green?
A: The sense of community at Asphalt Green is something special and atypical of a sports organization in New York City. It really feels like staff and customers are all working toward the same goal. More specifically, I love the camaraderie I have with the Green Wave coaching staff and the opportunity the players have to achieve club-wide solidarity. I think a lot of this is attributed to the gorgeous field we have. Asphalt Green is the only club in the greater New York City area that can claim everyone practices and plays in one place.
Q: What is one of your fondest memories of working at Asphalt Green so far?
A: Last year, I was the first-year coach of the then-U14 Riptide; a team of very talented girls who had seemingly lost their passion for the game; a team whose doubters outnumbered the believers. Halfway through the fall season, they had not lost a game in league play, and it was evident they were beginning to understand the depth of their potential.
At the time, I shared this quote with them: “There is no better feeling than stepping out on that field and stunning them all by doing what none of them thought you could.” We went undefeated the rest of the year and are now playing in a Premier League and in tournaments up and down the Eastern seaboard. They grew from a team of semi-committed girls whose attendance was inconsistent to girls who will play in the snow and ask me for more training sessions. I am so proud to be a part of their journey and watching them grow as people through soccer.
Q: What is the best sports tip you’ve received or favorite tip to share with players?
A: As a coach, I try to instill the understanding that mental strength is the attribute that will unlock success. Confidence, motivation, resiliency and belief in oneself and the team all are found in the mind and heart. Without those, success is not achieved, in sports or in life. Once players buy into this understanding, anything is possible.
Q: How did you get into the sports industry? Tell us about your professional background.
A: Having been a participant for most of my life, sports have always been woven into everything I do. I initially pursued a career in social work but simultaneously maintained my connection to the sports industry through coaching soccer and golf out of college. This eventually led me to obtaining my master’s degree in sports administration. I never want to lose sight of my love for sport or kids, which is why I will actively pursue coaching whenever possible. For most of my post-college life, I have coached part time while maintaining a full-time job.
Q: Do you play other sports?
A: I tried my hand at every sport growing up, but soccer and golf stuck for the long haul. I played both into my college years (I was even a member of the PGA for two years!) and continue to play both today when and wherever possible.
Q: Who is your favorite sports team?
A: I love the Seattle Seahawks. Having lived in Seattle for four years during graduate school, it was unbelievable to be a part of such a passionate fan base.
Q: What is a fun fact about yourself?
A: I was a member of a traveling dance company in Northern California for the better part of 10 years of my childhood. We traveled all over the state performing ballet routines in front of judges and against other dance companies. I attribute my soccer abilities to my training in dance.