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| "Nail" competing in the MLS for the Miami Fusion |
Bilyk’s journey to the coaching ranks started at Clemson where he was an essential part of one of the countries’ elite programs. Success at the collegiate level launched Bilyk into the MLS as he was selected 18th overall by the Columbus Crew in the 1999 MLS draft. However, his ascent to achieve the domestic dream and play professionally didn’t come without its challenges.
“I’m a
case where I wasn’t highly touted, wasn’t always the superstar or the big name.
But, I used those ‘setbacks’ that life throws at you as a way to push me.
Disappointment just drove me to work and push harder. Those are the things that
led to me to be successful as a player all the time. Any adversity needs to be
viewed as a challenge that you can move forward from. You never know who’s
watching when you’re playing. Just so happens that my future coach at Clemson
(who was at Brown University at the time) came to watch a teammate of mine, not
me. I had a good game, caught his eye and he offered me a spot once he took the
position at Clemson.”
Once he arrived on campus, Bilyk knew that the work had only just
started, both on and off the soccer pitch.
“When I got to Clemson I realized that I was a little fish on a big
campus. I was playing next to national team stars and Olympic team players and
some really big physical guys. The speed of play was so fast and it was a huge
jump. It was a tough transition from being a good club player to being one of
many excellent players in the program.”
Along with his
long list of playing accomplishments, which includes All-American, All-South
and All-ACC recognition, Bilyk was an Honor Roll student-athlete earning a
Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing.
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| Bilyk (in white) at Clemson's Alumni Day |
Following his successes at the collegiate level, Bilyk played professionally with the Miami Fusion of the MLS (1999-2001), the United Soccer League’s Milwaukee Rampage (2002) and Virginia Beach Mariners (2003-06). In his last season with the Mariners he was named the club’s MVP. Shortly thereafter, Bilyk was coaxed out of retirement to compete for the USL's Charlotte Eagles during the 2008 season. It was here that Bilyk realized he would never lose his appetite for the game and moved in to a coaching role.
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| Working with the NMSC Youth Academy |
Most recently, Bilyk has joined
the coaching staff at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina
serving as the program’s top assistant.
