![Watching a small group scrimmage, Ben Lundt, St. Louis City SC goalkeeper and founder of Lundt Pro Soccer Training, shouts words of encouragement to players on Sunday, April 26 n the Lafayette grass soccer field. “The idea behind [the event] was to bring the professional soccer players closer to the community because usually people only get to see us on TV or in the stadium. [Families] actually having the opportunity to have their kids on the field with us is the most important aspect,” Ben Lundt said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6823-1200x800.jpg)
![In celebration of winning his second straight state title in the 215 weight class, junior Carter Brown backflips before leaving the mat. Brown won his bout against junior Kobe Rhymes of North Kansas City High School by fall in just 41 seconds. "Carter does what Carter does. We expect [success] out of him and his goals are bigger than the state championship," coach Sam Ritchie said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_2784-1200x800.jpg)
Five Questions with Craig Wideman
When not teaching or coaching LHS soccer, Craig Wideman enjoys traveling the world.
January 29, 2020
Chemistry teacher Craig Wideman has traveled far and wide. Between adjusting to his first year coaching a soccer team and teaching at LHS, he makes time to fuel his love for traveling.
How did you develop a passion for traveling?
My parents were divorced so I moved around a lot as a kid, so I was used to going from place to place. I got used to seeing a bunch of different places. My dad also traveled for his job, so anytime I wanted to visit him, I usually had to travel somewhere.
How do you find time to balance your responsibilities as a teacher and a coach and travel?
Usually, I take about two to three weeks out of my schedule to do it. Whether that is during the summer or Christmas Break, I can usually find time to do it that way. If I am doing summer school, I would take a week off from that and fit it in. I’ll plan around it; I’ll go to England for four days or just go to a place to see a certain castle for two days, then come home. I will also live in hostels or outside to save money.
What is your favorite place you have visited and why?
Peleș Castle in Transylvania, because it is found through hiking in the mountains. It appeared out of nowhere, and it was a beautiful palace in the middle of Romania. There was no one there, there were no tourists, it was untouched with lots of sheep and shepherds. Most of the village did not even have electricity, and then, all of a sudden, there was this beautiful Romanian, draconian castle.
Where do you hope to travel in the future and why?
Lots of places like Namibia, Botswana, Madagascar. If I had to pick one, I would go to Botswana because it is in the Sahara Desert. I really want to go on safari, so I hope I can do that there.
How has traveling impacted your perspective on different cultures and how you teach here at LHS?
You can name a situation, and I have probably seen it, so that helps. Seeing how different cultures adapt and bring their own identities and personalities to an overall culture and seeing the difference between the Polish, the Germans, the French, the Italian, seeing that all blended in the Saint Louis area makes it easier to see where people are coming from. Really, people are the same no matter where you are. Everyone wants to be successful, everyone wants to have a good life, and loves their kids and their parents and everyone has troubles.
![Watching a small group scrimmage, Ben Lundt, St. Louis City SC goalkeeper and founder of Lundt Pro Soccer Training, shouts words of encouragement to players on Sunday, April 26 n the Lafayette grass soccer field. “The idea behind [the event] was to bring the professional soccer players closer to the community because usually people only get to see us on TV or in the stadium. [Families] actually having the opportunity to have their kids on the field with us is the most important aspect,” Ben Lundt said.](https://lancerfeed.press/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/IMG_6823-300x200.jpg)
