When defender Zack Mikuta ‘24 was asked to describe men’s head soccer coach Sean Topping ‘98 in one word he replied, “Driven.”
On Sept. 1, the men’s soccer team recorded a 4-2 victory over Juniata College while Coach Topping simultaneously recorded his monumental 200th career win.
Topping’s initial outlook on the accolade: “I really enjoy working with this group of young men, so it was fantastic to share this moment with them. Two hundred wins is a milestone for Muhlenberg soccer, not just Sean Topping. It’s a testament to all the great players, teams and coaches I have been fortunate to work with over the past 20 years.”
Captain Josh Bordwick ‘23 reveals how this milestone also gives testament to Topping’s work as an individual. “Two hundred wins is an amazing feat but the thing that most amazes me is the fact that he didn’t care as much about that, but about our single performance in that game. That is how you are at a program for 20 years and reach 200 wins. Not being satisfied with individual goals, but team goals, and having those matter more than anything.” Bordwick continues, “As a player and person Topp[ing] has shown us that adversity is part of life and we have to work hard to get through it. Nothing in life is handed to us and we can either work hard to get it, or watch others take it from us. No matter how skilled we are, or where we come from, we are all part of a team now that works together to complete a similar goal: win our matches.”
Mikuta builds on this perspective, “Coach Topping holds his players to a high standard, and believes that each one of us can always offer more. This drive to always be better pushes [players] towards their full potential, and has translated into a long history of winning Muhlenberg teams.”
Co-captain of the 1997 Centennial Conference (CC) championship team and two time recipient of All-CC First Team honors, Topping also took a major part in the Muhlenberg winning history as a player. He even expresses his undergraduate experience as the catalyst for his coaching career. “My college coach, Jeff Tipping, was the person who inspired me and gave me the tools to become a college coach. Obviously coaching here where myself and two younger brothers played is special to me as well. I was very fortunate to play for one of the best teachers of the game in Coach Tipping and on some very successful teams. Coach Tipping left Muhlenberg to become the Director of Coaching Education at the United Soccer Coaches (formerly the NSCAA). Coach Tipping wrote the curriculum for many of the soccer coach licensing courses at that time. He was always ahead of the curve in coaching education. I was very lucky to have played for and coached with coach Tipping before taking over here at Muhlenberg. His mentorship and friendship has been invaluable to me throughout my career.”
In the span of 20 years, Topping has coached many different teams and players–including six All-Americans and 25 All-CC First Team selections. So what differentiated his most successful teams and seasons from the others? Topping explains, “Some of our most successful teams always had a team identity. Hardworking, defensive or whatever it might have been but by the time a game was over the opposing team knew who we were. We are always incredibly difficult to beat here in Allentown.” He continues, “You need to get the team to buy into the team first mentality and trust. What’s best for the team might not always be what’s best for me personally. Example –- the team needs me to come off the bench for a spark but I want to be starting…”
Included in some of his most memorable coaching moments were, “Winning in the CC championship games in 2003, 2005 and 2014.” Another highlight was “beating a very good Stevens [Institute of Technology] team at their place to go to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2010. The Stevens head coach was my teammate, roommate and best man at my wedding.”
When asked what his biggest piece of advice would be to a coach just starting out their career, he said, “Find a mentor who will challenge you and that you can learn from. Never stop gaining knowledge about your field, whether that is on the soccer field or in some other job. You have to put in the work! As a young coach, you’ll be asked to recruit. This is where you can grow your network of contacts through club coaches, college coaches and others.”
Topping’s 200th career win mark is reflective of his sincere commitment to the Muhlenberg men’s soccer program and the many players who have come through it. Topping’s desire to coach at his alma mater further emphasizes his passion for the sport and his dedication to representing Muhlenberg College proudly.
Success certainly does not formulate overnight–and neither does the methodology in order to achieve it. So, what does it actually take to win? Coach Topping gives his credible perspective, “Great players and a team culture of trust… Players win games! Getting everyone on the team, staff included, to trust each other and the process.”
