Nice guys can win.  In the age of the ego driven celebrity, it is refreshing to meet Joe Bartlinski.  The first time I talked to the coach of the University of West Florida Women's Soccer Team, he quickly focussed the brief exchange on his players.  In later exchanges, it became clear he doesn't hold much for posturing.  When congratulated again for his record, he talked glowingly of the character of his players and their team GPA.  It was most enlightening and refreshing to see the comments made by Coach Bartlinski in the local paper.  When the Pensacola News Journal complimented him on his achievements, he responded by saying: "Obviously [it] means I'm coaching some pretty talented young players,  It was amazing some of the accomplishments the kids made this season. I'm just coaching some pretty neat kids."

While it's true in magnetism, sitcoms and soap operas that opposites attract—it's been my experience that it is not so with successful relationships and championship athletic teams.  Like attracts like and it couldn't be illustrated better than with the UWF Women's Soccer Team and its coach.  Character seeks to unite with character—enough said.  A team of outstanding individuals, on and off the field, is paired with a coach of similar attributes.  How do I know?  I observe.  People talk and I listen.

The UWF Women's Team compiled a record of 24-1-1.  It took the eventual Division II champion 2 overtimes to defeat the Argos 1-0 in the finals of the NCAA. Joe Bartlinski's lifetime record is an incredible 152-21-9.