Foundation Academy welcomes Scott Hussey as new soccer coach

A new season for Foundation Academy soccer begins soon, and the Lions will have a new coach along for the ride. 

Scott Hussey was announced as head coach Sept. 9. He brings with him 20 years of soccer experience, having played for Ursinus College in Pennsylvania and also within the U.S. Olympic development program. He also coached within the Winter Garden youth soccer league. 

Hussey’s daughter, Madison, attends Foundation Academy’s Plant Street Campus as a first-grader. 

“(My wife) and I were looking for a way to give back as parents, and the opportunity arose with the soccer program,” Hussey said. “I was very fortunate to take over the varsity team. I’m excited for the opportunity.”

Because this is his first time coaching at the high school level, Hussey recognizes the challenge ahead of him, but he said he is excited for it. 

“It’s going to be a challenge — learning the schools, learning the players,” he said. “But the game of soccer is universal; it’s a language everybody that’s involved speaks. Once things get rolling, I’m sure they’ll be great.”

Hussey said he employs a positive approach in his coaching and a team-first mentality. He emphasizes doing the right things every day and having his athletes be the best people they can be. Also, he hopes to develop an atmosphere in which everyone gives their all for the team. 

“I’m looking to have a disciplined team,” he said. “A team that represents Foundation Academy well, a team that lives up to the values of someone who thinks that integrity is an important quality for anybody to have. The people I’m looking for should have the highest level of integrity. I’m looking for team players. As I have started out, I put out that we are all important to the team. Not one of us is above the team. That’s been the mantra as we have gotten rolling.” 

When he’s not coaching soccer players, Hussey is one of six engineering services managers serving Disney’s Boardwalk Resort and Yacht and Beach Resort. He has served in that position since 2006 and has enjoyed every second of it. 

“I love every day,” Hussey said. “You never know what to expect going into our line of work. There are different challenges you face, but it’s a great organization to work for. In the hospitality industry, you get to take care of people who live out their dreams. To play a role in that is fantastic.” 

Hussey said his day job and coaching both allow him to have an impact on others.

“On the Foundation Academy side, we’re developing people to get ready for college and … to get ready for life.” he said. “There are lots of skills that you learn in soccer that are transferrable to life without soccer, such as communication, integrity, how to be a team player. As you transfer into a professional environment, those same characteristics apply. At Disney, we are doing those same things and helping people to develop in their careers.” 

By season’s end, Hussey hopes the team proves itself worthy of representing Foundation Academy with pride. 

“I want to be able to say that we represented the school well in every way,” Hussey said. “They are proud of the way you show up and the way you performed. They know that you gave everything you had to give. That’s what I want.”