By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The “Getting to Know” series is designed to help the community learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to prepare them to be tomorrow’s leaders.

Today, we get to know Southeast High School boys soccer head coach Curtis Ahrens, who is in his 19th season coaching and fourth overall with the Pirates’ boys program.

Q: What schools did you attend while growing up?

A: Southeast; Class of 1999.

Q: College and graduation year? Play sports?
A: The Ohio State University (Class of 2004). Walk-on for soccer for a short time, then three years of club soccer; part of two national championship teams. Attended Ashland University for graduate school.

Q: College degree in what focused area?

A: Bachelor’s in Personalized Study Program (integrated social studies), with a minor in Geography.

Southeast boys soccer coach Curtis Ahrens has a deep background in coaching soccer and is a Pirates alumni.

Q: Current occupation?

A: 8th grade UY.S. History teacher and Track and Field coach at East Middle School for Youngstown City Schools.

Q: What inspired you to be a coach?

A: Love of the game and wanting and hoping to pass that along to future generations.

Q: What makes being a coach at Southeast special to you?

A: Being a coach at Southeast means a tremendous amount for me, because I get to continue being part of and making an impact in the community that I grew up in — and that taught me so much., It’s great getting to give back in the capacity that I do now.

Q: Who has been your biggest influence/mentor as a coach?

A: My two biggest influences were my dad (Albert Ahrens), who was one of my earliest coaches. Even though he never formally played soccer, he immersed himself into the game and when he realized I had progressed beyond his knowledge, he gave me the opportunity to play and develop my skills at a higher level. That higher level of premier club soccer would lead me to Bud Simmons, who would later become my high-school coach at Southeast.

Q: Funny story nobody would believe from your playing days?

A: I scored a goal playing goalie against Garfield by punting the ball from the top of my goal box and having it land and bounce at the top of the opposing goal box and going over their goalie’s head to score a goal. That’s, not to mention, they played on a 100-yard field, and I had the wind at my back!

Q: Funny story nobody would believe from your coaching days?

A: I have had many players prank me while at practice. Once they moved my car and at the end of practice, I was not able to find where they moved it to.

Q: Favorite TV show?

A: Current show is Gold Rush. All-time show that I can watch at any moment is Saved by the Bell (high school years).

Q: Favorite movie?

A: Spaceballs.

Q: Favorite musical artist?

A: George Strait or Led Zeppelin.

Q: Favorite food/meal?

A: Bacon or pizza. Both can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Q: Best vacation?

A: Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada for skilling in the winter; Riviera Maya, Mexico for warm weather.

Q: Favorite restaurant?

A: Beau Jo’s Mountain Pizza in Colorado (best pizza in the USA).

Q: Favorite motto or quote?

A: If you say you can’t, you’re right. If you say you can, you’re right.

Q: What does it mean, to you, to be a Pirates student-athlete?

A: I always want to emphasize the “student” aspect of players. Soccer is important and will teach you many things, but your education is what is going to lead you to greatness. Once a Pirate, always a Pirate.

Q: Favorite teacher from high school?

A: Mr. Turocy (math).

Q: Advice you give the younger version of you?

A: You will make stupid mistakes, but it is important that you learn from them to become a better and more empathetic person.

Q: Favorite coach from your playing days?

A: Mr. Steve Really. He’s the one that started travel soccer in Portage County back in the early 1990’s.

Q: Coaching resume?

A: Southeast High School boys soccer head coach (2019-present); Kent Roosevelt high school girls soccer head coach (2013-2016); Field High School boys soccer head coach (2012); Kent Roosevelt high school boys JV head coach (2009-2011); Kent Roosevelt High School girls track and field head coach (2015); Kent Roosevelt High School boys and girls track and field assistant coach (2009-2014).