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Published on 08/10/1998 All articles from this issue

Los Altos resident Demling is TV voice of San Jose Clash

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By Vincent Tsai

Town Crier Editorial Intern

Soccer talker

Soccer has played a large part in Mark Demling's life.

The Los Altos resident has devoted a lot of time to playing the game and talking about it.

And Demling's been fortunate enough to get paid for doing both.

Demling's gone from playing professionally with the San Jose Earthquakes to doing television commentary for the San Jose Clash.

He even owes his marriage to soccer. Demling met his wife, Susan, while she was a cheerleader for the Earthquakes, a team he played on in the 1970s.

Demling, a defender, was the Earthquakes' first-round pick in 1973.

He caught the Earthquakes' attention during his stellar career at St. Louis University, which he helped lead to three NCAA championships.

The school has even named an award after him, which is given annually to the team's most dedicated player.

Demling played for the Earthquakes of the now-defunct North American Soccer League from 1974-78. He was traded to the San Diego Sockers in 1979, where he played one year.

Demling finished his career by playing indoor soccer for the upstart San Francisco Fog from 1980-81.

Although his pro career ended 17 years ago, his passion for the sport did not.

Today, he's calling plays from the sideline as the Clash's primary TV commentator. The Clash is part of Major League Soccer, a national pro league in its third year of operation.

Demling, 48, regularly travels with the Clash, whether the team's playing home games at San Jose's Spartan Stadium or road games across the nation.

However, since the MLS season runs from March to September, Demling still spends most of his time at home with his family in Los Altos.

"I really enjoy commentating, but the off-season gives me invaluable time to spend with my wife Susan and my daughter Ashley," Demling said.

Demling - who also works as the manager of a shoe distribution center in Hayward - got started with the television job in 1996.

"I thought of it as a way to be connected with soccer," said Demling, who started playing the game at age 7. "It was a great opportunity, and I took it. I have no regrets whatsoever."

Throughout his life, Demling has maintained a connection to soccer.

After his pro career, he sold soccer uniforms for Nike and was a sales rep for Patrick - a soccer clothing company.

Commentating seemed like the next logical step.

"When I was young, I thought I could play forever," Demling said. "But now I realize that is highly unrealistic. And that's where commentating comes in. It's the next best thing to being there on the field, kicking and running."

Demling's job as a commentator involves analyzing games and reacting to the play-by-play calls of partner Hal Ramey. Demling said he prides himself on not being overly critical.

"There are so many commentators that focus on the negative aspects of the sport and that's wrong," Demling said. "I try to accentuate the positive aspects to get more people involved and interested."

Prior to his job with the Clash, Demling worked as a radio broadcaster for numerous soccer teams and their respective radio stations.

Demling said he never expected to become a television commentator, though.

"Initially, I thought I was going to be the radio broadcaster for the Clash," Demling said. "But I got a phone call from the Clash's manager asking me if I'd be interested in a broadcasting position. I was thrilled and I took it. There was nothing to lose."

Demling said he feels like he owes part of his life to soccer. That's one of the main reasons he's still so involved with the sport.

"When you do something for so long, it pretty much becomes a part of you," Demling said. "And while you're away from it, you thirst to be with it."