Upper St. Clair soccer coach reaches milestone
Upper St. Clair soccer players unveil a sign congratulating Uwe Schneider, on reaching a coaching milestone. Schneider picked up his 300th career win on the pitch. He has guided the Panthers to five section, two WPIAL and four state championships.
Uwe Schneider watches his players prepare for a recent match. Upper St. Clair defeated Canon-McMillan, 3-1, to give Schneider his 300th career win in coaching. Joe Donnelly managed the hat trick for the Panthers in the victory.
Uwe Schneider has played and coached soccer for the better part of his 65 years of life. So forgive the Mt. Lebanon resident for losing track of time and the victories.
With Upper St. Clair’s 3-1 win against Canon-McMillan on Sept. 7, 2023, Schneider registered his 300th career victory. He owned a 300-97-29 record after the triumph.
“Quite honestly, I didn’t know,” he said of the milestone. “I knew it was coming up but I wasn’t counting. I just wanted to beat Canon-Mac because it was an important section game.”
Schneider has coached in many key confrontations. In 23 seasons, he has guided the Panthers to five section banners, six district championship games and five state finals.
Of the accomplishment, Schneider said, it was “absolutely meaningful” because a lot of the wins came against neighboring schools. He added, “It’s never easy.”
To beat the Big Macs or teams from Peters Township and Bethel Park was always difficult but extremely challenging was competing against Mt. Lebanon. Not too long ago, Schneider’s son, Martin, played for the Blue Devils under Ron Wilcher.
“Those were special games but especially hard because we (USC) always won,” Schneider said.
Under Schneider, the Panthers won numerous championships. USC won two WPIAL titles not to mention four state crowns. The Panthers won back-to-back PIAA crowns in 2003-2004 as well as in 2012-2013. The 2004 squad finished as the No. 1 ranked team in the nation by USA Today.
“I never look back but I probably would have to say winning the first state championship for the school is the one I never will forget. And then to win back-to-back. Those were good times and we made the most of them.”
The bad times were few, but brutal.
In the summer of 2014, Schneider plummeted two stories when the ladder he was using to hang shutters at his house slipped.
Schneider broke both of his legs. He had surgery to repair the fractures in his left leg, which is held together by a rod and pins. Schneider also had to have another surgery when he developed an infection in his leg.
The architect of four state titles in 10 years spent more than two weeks in the hospital and could not return to the sidelines to coach the Panthers. During his absence, his friend and former Chartiers Valley head coach Mike Blatz filled the coaching void but rival Peters Township unseated the Panthers as state champions.
“When I had the accident, I wasn’t ready for not being able to coach. I felt bad not being there for those games and those players because we were just coming off a state championship. I was lucky enough to have a great friend and coach to fill in for me. But the goal was always to get back to coaching.”
Schneider was born to coach and teach.
After playing high school and college soccer in Heidelberg, Schneider moved from Germany to the United States to teach his native language at West Virginia University. There Schneider met his wife, Beth. The couple settled in Mt. Lebanon and Schneider accepted a teaching position at Upper St. Clair. He retired two years ago.
“It’s not bad, to be honest,” Schneider said of retirement. “I do not have to worry about lessons plans. All I had to do is focus on the team. I do miss the students but being a coach has kept me connected to the students.”
Through the years, Schneider has coached a number of student-athletes who have gone on to play at all levels in college, and one, Rob Mertz, plays professionally for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. A WPIAL and two-time state champion, Mertz played at Michigan and led the Wolverines to their first Big Ten championship while earning the Medal of Honor, the highest scholastic and athletic honor given by the University.
In Schneider’s mind, Mertz ranks No. 1 among all his players because he was the most committed and dedicated.
“Robbie worked and worked and he improved and continually got better,” Schneider said. “If everyone had his work ethic, we all would be more successful. He was exceptional. His dedication and commitment have gotten him where he is. He’s a great player and I’m happy for him.”
Schneider succeeds in coaching because of his ability to bridge the generation gap and because he holds himself to the same high standards established for the USC program.
“You have to continue to adapt,” he said. “I’ve loosened up a bit and accepted that kids are different today. I’ve learned to be more flexible.”
He noted that talent various from year to year but his philosophy remains constant. “I try to coach the team as best I can. Provide the best preparation and support,” Schneider said.
“We have a culture at USC where we expect the best out of everyone, that includes the coach as well as the players. We are respectful of all teams, too.”
Coaching is an enjoyable experience, packed with nuggets of wisdom, that Schneider continues to accrue.
“You are always learning,” he said, “and the biggest lesson I have learned is that without hard work and commitment you cannot be successful. Even if you have the most talent, you still have to work.
“I enjoy working with my players. I love coaching them as individuals and seeing how it all comes together as a team and I really enjoy the camaraderie that develops. As long as it continues to be fun and I enjoy it, I’ll do this.”