Talking with Ted Gillen

Photo from http://www.metrofanatic.com/

My final project will be a print feature profile on a Toms River, New Jersey icon. Gillen was captain of the only Toms River High School East boys’ soccer team to win the state championship, played at Penn State University, and was a member of the New York/ New Jersey MetroStars (now Red Bull New York) in the club’s inaugural season. Gillen also had the fortune of appearing three times for the United States men’s national team in international play. After retirement, and a stint working for Merrill Lynch, Gillen returned to his hometown and the game he loves. He currently coaches the Toms River East boys’ soccer team, the team he once starred for. He was also elected to the Toms River Regional Schools Athletic Hall of Fame.

“I’ve lived my life through the game and it’s provided me a lot,” Gillen said. “Now I try to teach kids as much as I took and make them also see it as ‘The Beautiful Game’”.

This profile will go through Gillen’s soccer beginnings, to his professional successes, the lows of leaving the game, and his return to Toms River and bringing the game of soccer to new generations.