University of San Francisco Athletics

Roar Andersen
Sport(s): Soccer
USF Career Years: 1978-1980
Birthdate: February 27, 1957
Hometown: Bergen,Norway
High School: Laksevåg Gymnas (Bergen)

Roar Andersen was born February 27, 1957 in Bergen, Norway. He tried playing six different sports as a youth, and finally settled on soccer at the age of 15. He fell in love with the sport playing for the Norwegian Soccer League, one of the top teams in Europe. Prior to attending USF, Andersen played professional soccer in Norwegian for SK Brann from 1974 to 1976. Andersen and his team won the 1976 Norwegian Soccer Championships Cup Finals. Andersen was recruited to attend USF by fellow Dons soccer players Bjørn Dahl and Bjørn Tronstad whom he knew from his hometown. He finished his USF career with 92 points, and 22 assists.

Andersen played three years for the Dons. He was a two-time NCAA champion in 1978 and in 1980. Andersen was on the Dean’s Honor list from 1978-1979. Andersen finished his academic career with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Physical Education. After USF, Andersen returned to Norway and worked one year as a teacher, then one year as a public service consultant, working with the unemployed. Andersen then found his true passion working in Sports Administration as the Director of the Bergen City Sports. 

2012 University of San Francisco Hall of Fame Profile – Roar Andersen
USFDons.com is doing a series of profiles highlighting each member of San Francisco's 2012 Hall of Fame class. Part One features Dons All-American soccer player Roar Andersen. The Norwegian helped San Francisco to NCAA Championships in 1978 and 1980.

When you hear someone talk about the University of San Francisco, what are the first things you think about?
I think about both the wonderful campus and University and the beautiful city of San Francisco, that reminds me of my own hometown, Bergen of Norway. I have so many good memories – especially from my time as a soccer player for the USF Dons. I had such a wonderful opportunity to both study and to play soccer for USF and, also during those years, to travel around the country and visit many new and exciting places when playing against other university soccer teams. 

What was your favorite class/who was your favorite teacher at USF?
I enjoyed most of my classes, but those involving sport – like Sport Psychology, Exercise Physiology – that gave me greater insight in taking part in sport, was extra exciting and has been of great help working in sports myself later in life. George McGlynn was a teacher I liked a lot.

What do you remember about your first game wearing the Green and Gold?
We played a preseason game just after I arrived in San Francisco, and it was against a professional team called the Oakland Stompers. Their left full back was a very famous former Premier League and Liverpool player from England named Alex Lindsey. We played to a 1-1 draw and I scored our goal, and I scored again in the next game, so I was very fortunate to get a good start on my USF career. I also remember that our Assistant Coach, Lee Attack, played on that professional team at the time. Of course, it was also very exciting to be a newcomer, but fortunately I did fit in well, and I thought that we had some good players and that was of course great fun.

What is your favorite memory about playing for the USF Dons?
That is winning two NCAA finals both against the Indiana Hoosiers – 2-0 in 1978 and then 4-3, in a "sudden death" victory in overtime in 1980. We played at Tampa Bay Stadium both times and I was happy to score one goal in the 1980 final to tie the game at 2-2 just before halftime after being behind 2-0 after two early goals against us. I just remember everyone celebrating and being very proud and happy.  

What are three things that describe the teams you played for at USF?
1. Good team spirit, and everyone was very eager to win and we did have great self-confidence after winning so many games and being very highly ranked in the nation.
2. It was a very international team with players from many different countries and cultures being able to work together and with great understanding of the game. We also always had great goalies.
3. We managed to keep calm under pressure and never got panicked.

What are three things that describe you as a player?
1. Good with both feet – hard shot, good running ability, scored many goals and were also able to score from long range/ distance with both feet.
2. Good understanding of the game, gave good passes, good dribbler.
3. Kept calm, and got along well with my teammates and Coach Negoesco and never got in trouble with other opponents or the referee. 

What is the most important lesson your coach at USF taught you?
Coach Negoesco had great trust in us players. We were all involved. He listened to us and gave us much freedom, so it was great teamwork and not a "one man show". This kind of leadership was very motivating. 

What does it mean to you to be a Don?
Originally to be a Don means to be a gentleman or a nobleman, of Spanish descent. For me personally it means that I have been lucky enough to be, at one time, part of a great USF soccer and sports tradition. We managed to follow up those good results from previous USF soccer teams. Hopefully I did make my school proud and that I did my service there as a player in a gentlemanly manner of conduct.