Having mentioned the impact of Robbie Scharpf and Scott Carter as the two key players on my first year team who played as seventh , eighth, and ninth players both exceptionally well as students and as good players, I kept thinking of the third player I just knew had to complete the three players....I was so sure, but have finally remembered the third player.

Shawn Niday, along with Robbie Scharpf and Scott Carter, was the third player who played well for me for three years. These three outstanding young men made my first team roster as seventh graders among the other eighth and ninth graders, and I am proud to realize what a great decision I made that first year...!!
Shawn was an impulsive and strong striker who over the three years he played set the record for 32 goals scored and proved to rank with Brad Collins in such scoring power. One example of his great scoring ability was his scoring three goals in the first half against a weak opponent and my sitting him out before the half was over. He became so "concerned" about being taken out so early that this star scorer "made a scene" to the point I had to hold him out in the second half. Another claim to fame this star player had was his being a brother of another player I was fortunate to have several seasons later who had a good power shot. His brother, Kevin, has played adult league soccer along with Ryan Ranson...and my son Chris..and several other ex players of mine that I have forgotten in my age.

Of course I had mentioned Robbie Scharpf before who was another original seventh grade player who showed maturity in his three years and scored seventeen goals along with the fourteen goals Scott Carter, the third three year player scored. These "famous three" all earned All District Player at least (there goes the coach's memory) their third year, if not more times...and are/were excellent representatives of this coach's twenty years of soccer....!!!

After beating Cave Spring in 1986 by an overtime score of 2 - 1 in the junior high tournament, Byrd faced Cave Spring in 1987 for the tournament championship again by beating Hidden Valley 5 - 1 in the first round game. Led by three outstanding ninth grade All District Players, Shawn Niday, Robbie Scharpf, and Scott Carter, the junior high Terriers faced a strong and determined Cave Spring team that surprised the Terriers and won the tightly fought championship game 5 - 1.

Other key players were Andy Crowder, Hunter Durham, Todd Etter, Bryan Holland, and Aaron Craig, and Mark Andrews. Andrews and Holland made All District in the '88 season.

From the '88 season until '91 this coach does not remember any more championship games for several potential reasons; after the '88 season which was another good season, the young Terriers probably had the weakest won-lost three year series of their twenty years thereby maybe disqualifying for a chance in the tournament, if tournaments were still viable, AND the thought is that the County school system had begun planning for a middle school sports program that would not use tournaments and involve seventh and eighth graders only while changing to a middle school program.

Starting in '92, junior high became middle school and the young Terriers again became competitive and, along with Cave Spring, usually ranked number one or two.

William Byrd Junior High soccer (originally) won its first championship in its second year of competition ('86) when tournaments were used in junior high soccer. The first year in '85 Byrd tied regular season with its-to-be regular foe..Cave Spring as we lost the first round of tournament held at Glenvar.

The captains of this tournament champion team were Mark Milton and Ryan Richards who led with determined leadership. Leading in scoring were four outstanding high scoring players: Richards, Shawn Niday, Robbie Scharpf, and Eric Jennings. Byrd proudly led the district with four players Richards, Niday, Ryan Ranson, and Mark Milton who made the team a second year. Ryan Ranson had proven to be a real soccer leader as he had been a strong and tough defensive player who also has continued in the adult league with the same enthusiasm.

The championship game was tight and intense as it went into 2 overtimes with Ian McRoy scoring the winning goal with 25 seconds remaining for the 2 - 1 victory. The junior high Terriers proved to be tough and determined as they had beaten a tough Hidden Valley 3 - 2 in the first round and faced a tough Cave Spring for the championship....2 - 1...!!!

Reflections on Adam and coaching soccer:

Coaching soccer or any sport demands a lot of the man/boy....and....gives a lot to the coach. Approximately 500 young men (and there were about 3-5 young ladies before the advent of girls soccer) give their all physically...mentally...emotionally...and yes ...spiritually...... approximately five school days a week for roughly 60+ days in all kinds of weather.

The coach asks for commitment from the team and gives commitment...as a coach. Coaching...playing..is a joyful task....a fun endeavor....a try time....a meaningful meeting of the mind. When I volunteered in the fall of '84 to initially coach soccer for spring '85, I had a general idea...but not a real experience...what I was getting into. I had coached rec football...t-ball...basketball...and soccer and had done well, but this was real school soccer....Steve Lonker, my principal, had faith in me...!!!

Coaching gave my teaching an added interest and command, and I loved it. I felt that my knowing the kids so well built my soul....made me feel good about myself. My wife and two boys sacrificed for me, and for that I owe her dearly. She never cried or complained; she cared for the coach and our kids and for the boys on the team.

Two more things: Adam's life and death have made an impact on this coach that I'll never forget. He was an example of living and his death was a way of living so hard.

Second and last thing: When I called my team together in the auditorium for a final word that fall in '04...I hurt....yes, I cried....and I wrote. I hurt and cried because all these players were a part of my life and I knew I would miss them. I wrote each family a typed letter ( my handwriting was.....is terrible) explaining to them that I was not leaving them because I wanted to..................I physically had to......and I wanted them to know I was not quitting.........and I wanted/hoped their player...boy...child......would....not quit. either.................

Any reader of this blog may certainly gain at least one insight from this former soccer coach...that being (as I have stated before)...the many fine young men under my coaching. Trying to narrow the finest young men I have had the privilege to coach soccer under would be an enormous undertaking. There is one soccer player I only had in the seventh grade, who is now assisting the varsity coach, and is a good friend of my younger son who also coached PH now for the past 6 years. As I explain one specific incident involving Brad, you decide what you may about fine young men.

A couple of days before Adam died suddenly, Brad and I had agreed that he would take or help out in the specific practice that fateful Friday practice....not knowing the fate of Adam to be. After the ambulance had left the school ground with Adam for the hospital, I had announced or sent word we would practice for the last game that would be played next Tuesday. Little did I know the shock and the confusion to be as I had to meet the sweet, well-meaning middle school guidance counselor who appeared to be overly anxious to tell the parents that we were having no practice..or that she would get back with them.

Almost immediately before I could begin....Brad showed up and immediately offered to take the team and practice (in some fashion) and allow me freedom to address the counselor who appeared about three times....and a father or two who dropped by while I talked with passersby.

Brad was mentioned in two previous blogs....is now assisting the varsity coach....friend to my PH coach son....and brother to Chris (his brother and my son's name). As probably mentioned before, Brad was/is a gregarious....sincere...likable....outstanding soccer player who starred for me one short season.....varsity...Carson-Newman College....and finally Va. Tech.

So that Friday...Brad stepped up and brazenly/NO...thoughtfully... offered to lead my confused team in practice as I stood in some shock maybe...conferred with the counselor...various teachers... and some parents....an absolute blessing that particular afternoon to this coach. As it turned out, the counselor came again by sometime after four and said she told the parents finally to come. That fateful afternoon was saved by Brad....smiling ...sincere...thoughtful...discreet...helpful...the right person at the right time....!!

The '04 team (my last) was co-captained by Chris Barnett and T.J. Frazier. As most of my 20 teams' captains, they were consistent and faithful and took leadership seriously. Both players were mature in leadership and well-liked by the team; they gained respect by their peers and teachers as well. This coach could think of nothing negative to be said of either leader (captain), and I followed their progress through varsity...as I did for most of my former players.

Chris played a strong and skilled center half, and T.J. excelled as keeper ...making several notable saves!
After their senior year, Chris graduated to Bridgewater and T.J. graduated to Emory and Henry...and have done well. The strength of character these fine young men exhibited came through in the fateful last two games specifically when Adam Wickham died while running P.E. laps two school days before their last game. This coach had pressure and decisions to overcome in the immediate light of Adam's death, and these two captains were supportive, calm, and quiet leaders.

I later learned from a close "associate" that Adam's death has had a specific impact on one of these two outstanding leaders. While in first year college, one captain wrote a very well-written paper on the lesson he learned from Adam's death ...or ...the force of Adam's death and the importance it has had on this captain's life. Unfortunately....this coach has never seen the paper, but coincidentally I wrote Adam's parents immediately after his death and I, too, expressed to them how positive and good Adam's life had been and how blessed I was to know Adam.

Chris and T.J. were the last two captains of my last soccer team, and I hope they realize how much I appreciate them ..........and ...coincidentally (having come to know their parents who were very understanding).........having come to appreciate them also.

Greg Moses was mentioned as a former outstanding player on the 13 and 1 team of 2000. This coach had referred to former players who in different ways were spiritually ministering to different peoples in different places. I refer to Greg again ....this time....because of his continued effort as he engages the youth of South Africa as they prepare for the World Cup in June and July of 2010.

Greg went over to South Africa in 2008, I believe, and is in his second year helping to organize....witness to....and encourage the youth for Christ. Greg has shown great development in his work in South Africa in planning for the World Cup and witnessing to the thousands of youth there.

Greg met his fiance overseas...and I think plans are still pending. He sends a newsletter once or twice a year, and after some initial misunderstandings within the program...things seem to be going smoothly and well.

Greg's skills and talents on the soccer field were a positive attitude...speed...excellent dribbling skills and great effort; these efforts and attitude serve him well in South Africa..!! Coach will keep the reader updated when he receives news on Greg....witnessing...and the World Cup.

Kyle O'Connor has been mentioned in a previous blog...and rightfully so. Kyle made his mark as middle school soccer leader when he started and played outside defender to replace Adam Wickham at the last two practice days of the'04 season. Adam, the heroic deceased eighth grader, was replaced by Kyle, a seventh grader, in the Andrew Lewis game which assured Byrd Middle at least a tie for first place as we handily won the last '04 seasonal game.

What was more important was that Kyle's performance was like Adam's in that Kyle played the entire game and did it well with only two days of complete practice. Kyle was a young, quiet, unassuming, but very alert defender who fought well and held his own. This coach noticed how well Kyle did during the game and made everyone available realize Kyle's impact in that game.

Even more importantly, Kyle (if my memory is correct) stayed with high school soccer ending up as a starter and running well in track/cross country. Kyle has been faithful by keeping in email contact with this coach and being a trusty soccer player who also in school played the role of rec soccer official.

Adam Wickham was a quiet, intelligent, well-liked, and hard-working young outside defender. He played as a substitute as a seventh grader and worked into a starter on defense as an eighth grader. When we ran running laps or drills, invariably he came in last, but did his best and always with a faint smile. He was not the most athletic-looking or fastest defender, but his skill and work ethic were all a coach could ask.

In our next-to-last game played at home, we had to win the two last games to tie for first, and Adam did a superb job as defender...playing the entire game...and helping his team in the victory !! The next day, Friday, at the end of the school day, after Adam had run P.E. times for the mile, I was called to the field because a player told me hurriedly that Adam "was down." Adam was taken to the hospital where he was declared DOA.

In a brief summary.....the entire team served as unofficial pall bearers and planned to make our last game, that we needed to win in order to tie for first, dedicated to Adam. Signs were posted; a large, encouraging crowd showed at the last game; announcements were given pre-game, and Adams' family was recognized where we won handily to gain first place as we dedicated this game in his honor and memory.

Adam's family was gracious in these moments ....and brave. They were hurting, but strong; I typed a personal letter to the Wickham family to boast their spirit...to help them realize how special and well-liked Adam was...to ensure them how Adam's life was not in vain...to emphasize the character of Adam Wickham...to remember special moments I shared with him on the field and in the hallways. His number 15 was memorialized and a special award was announced by me in his name first starting at the awards banquet. This season ('04) turned out to be my last coaching season (which will be shared in another blog) and unfortunately my successors never stayed with this honor. Three or four more blogs with different aspects of this day will be available...coming.

Andy McCaskill was an outstanding forward with great speed playing seventh and eighth grade for my last years of junior high and automatic starter in ninth grade for the varsity. If memory holds strong, he at least earned District Player of the year, if not State Player based upon his speed and hustle and scoring.

Andy was representative of the many fine young skilled, hustling, and savvy soccer players that played for me and developed even further for varsity. Andy never gave this coach any concern or trouble and was quiet and thoughtful on and off the field. This coach had mentioned him previously in a blog along with eight to ten former players who have succeeded in some aspect of ministry. An update on Andy was sent to me by Aaron Dowdy who is also involved in missions and corresponds with Andy; Aaron followed Andy in varsity play by maybe two years.

The latest news on McCaskill is that he and wife Susan are on the mission again in Thailand....now with two boys...Josiah and Elijah and sister Moriah. They are doing well after fighting the strong flu scare a few months ago, and Susan helps with girls' soccer; knowing how well Andy had played soccer, I would assume he might be involved in some sort of soccer level also. This blog will update the readers as news comes in on the progress of the McCaskills

David, Chris, and Johnny were the three original captains and leaders of the first William Byrd Junior High Soccer team. As I had mentioned in one of my earlier blogs, Byrd Junior High was one of the five original junior highs in the new soccer league from '85 to the establishment of middle schools beginning in fall of '91 when middle schools had sixth through eighth grades...while junior highs carried seventh through ninth grades. These three leaders were the soccer team's first captains as they led the new team both offensively and defensively.

Chris was previously mentioned in an earlier blog for receiving a red card in a crucially tight game when Byrd had to play "one man down." The bright spot was William Byrd still won that game, and as it turned out over my twenty years, Chris's red card was the first and only red card any of my players ever received....!

Johnny led the team this first year in scoring and played hard and intensely as an offensive player. The third captain, David, was the only player whose son I mentioned in a blog who lost his eye....missed his first year....and played his eighth year successfully. David was a good quiet leader who led by example, and I'm sure he probably missed following his son in high school soccer.

To have David, Chris, and Johnny as my first captains in my first year as soccer coach is a joy to be led by such skilled...intense....respected young men.....and.....David's son to play for me as a representative of the first year's player having his son on one of my last soccer teams..!!

Having mentioned this idea before, I wrote about soccer players having other interests...sometimes...and might (later) in high school choose another sport for fun ...rather than soccer. That would seem awkward to a "dyed in the wool" soccer coach, but we coaches have to accept that high school offers other likable sports that the athlete might recognize...and decide to choose.

Tyler, a genial, likable, good soccer player caught my attention immediately in his first seventh grade game at Ben Franklin Middle when he made his first assist in this first game of his first season. As a coach who recognizes quality when he sees it, I made him aware of such a good move in the first game...!! Tyler did well his two years at middle school and proved to be an enjoyable player. Tyler played soccer into high school...scored often....did well..making district and maybe region teams. (As always, I enjoy following my players and enjoying their successes). There was another sport that occupied Tyler's life that proved interesting for me as a coach to be aware of and observe from afar.

Tyler, his brother, mother, and father were heavily invested in snow skiing. For 2 to 4 months of late fall through late February, the family traveled to a certain ski resort (have forgotten its name)...sometimes on weekends...sometimes for several days...to engage in complete skiing...sometimes maybe competitively.........but almost every weekend. From what I hear and have seen pictures of , they were thoroughly involved....and very successful. They won competitions often enough and enjoyed the skiing that this coach has surmised from different opinions that they might move up there. Actually having talked to Tyler, I might get the impression that snow skiing might win out over soccer. Additionally, Tyler is a junior at a West Va. college that has those skiing grounds on campus or very near a skiing resort. It is my understanding that he also instructs skiing and is involved deeply in other areas.

I have written all this to clarify my thinking. An athlete can be outstanding in one sport or more...and it's not up to me or any coach to make judgment. We should realize and accept that the individual makes his own decisions...based on his own free will. Knowing that Tyler was skiing might have worried me because of soccer, but we have a responsibility to not judge .... to be flexible....and to support our players in whatever they may do.

Byrd junior high/middle school has had its share of tremendous scorers...most of whom finished out their school years as varsity players who may have eventually led the Timesland recognition or honor team for best scorer in this area. Brad Collins, as previously mentioned, is the one Byrd scorer who actually set the state scoring that unfortunately was broken within 2-4 years.

Below are the junior high/middle school's high scorers for one year (as some may have been)....two years in many cases....and three years possibly for some junior high scorers. As I have searched my records, I now realize that my scoring stats are not as complete as I had thought, and I do apologize for that oversight.
(A scoring "expert" will remember that the point system is 2 points for a goal...1 point for an assist.)

Single season highest score for seventh graders....Brad Collins, 47......Mike Berry, 45.....and Shawn Niday, 41..
.....................First year scorers cont.,, (second tier)....Greg Moses, 36......Derek Brown, 33......Johnny Lambert, 32......Chris Dowdy, 31......Ryan Richards, 31......Mark Andrews, 30......Josh Overbay.......(third tier)....Brett Hamlett, 29......Derek Lawrance, 26......Robbie Scharpf, 22

Two seasons combined for seventh-eighth graders....Shawn Niday, 122......Greg Moses, 101......
Mike Berry, 99......Chris Dowdy, 83......Mark Andrews, 79......Josh Overbay, 76......Brett Hamlett, 74......
Ryan Richards, 66......Derek Lawrance, 62......Rob Scharpf, 60

Obviously there were many skilled and potent scorers that moved to varsity and did exceptionally well...especially when one considers that several high scorers may have been a positive scoring factor for 3-4 varsity years.

This coach must make an addendum: mistakes are very much possible regarding record-keeping and coaching. Mistakes may surely have been made regarding names and numbers, and I make apology where needed..

I previously mentioned two of the original players who started Byrd Junior High/Middle School soccer and stars (Scott and Robbie) who played each game for seventh, eighth, and ninth grades....and both (if my memory is substantial) had commendable grades.
My memory is that of Scott achieving perfect grade averages through those first three years, and my instituting the Scott Carter Scholar-Athlete Award as an honor for the player who achieved best grade averages throughout the scholastic year. I made an effort to keep track of the players' grades throughout the year up to season's end.

Mentioning the winner(s) might be appropriate. Note that several players won three years in a row when we had the original junior high program, but I hope to be fair by naming the winners once per name roughly in order: Scott Carter, Derek Linderman, CalebTaylor, John Conner, Aaron Dowdy, Andy Babcock, Chris Dowdy, Brant Somma, Brad McConnell, Andy Goodman. Remember that this coach has bragged or will brag about the quality and number of student/players we have proudly discovered in numbers on each yearly soccer team..!! These names so far have covered about half the twenty year program under my coaching. The roughly last ten years of winners include Ian Terrell, Ashley Lugar, Drew Murray, Mark Armstrong, Greg Moses, Chris Shutt, Brian Hill, Alex Fisher, Garrett Page, and Kyle O'Connor.

Other awards were MVP that was begun in the beginning years (defensively Bryan Holland, Ryan Ransom and offensively Shawn Niday.) As a new coach aware of the significance of team honors, I changed to honors or awards like offensive leaders, defensive players, coach's award, most hustle, or top scorer..!

Brad and Chris are brothers of tremendous soccer prowess...yet different in certain ways. (Memory fade out again)...They played for our middle school team....separated by 2-5 years of age, and played for different Byrd Middle teams. One of these teams had a "weak" record with the difference being one team had the worst won-lost record and Brad played only one year on an 8-6 team since the JV coach pursued his "recruitment." Turns out the coach had foresight of how big an impact Brad would eventually make..!!

Brad, older than Chris, was polite and almost apologetic as the JV coach persisted in Brad's "encouragement" to think ahead with his talent. As it turns out, Brad played JV in eighth grade and started varsity ninth through his senior year. In so doing Brad set the scoring record for state soccer scoring which was held for 2-3 years until a Martinsville player broke Brad's state scoring record. Through the few years I worked with Brad (even that one year middle school), Brad was always polite...thoughtful...discreet...humble...and helpful....and came back to his one year coach often times to talk and visit. This coach dad has never forgotten this and will keep Brad's outstanding talent and kind ways forever in memory.

Chris, the younger brother, developed tremendously as he starred through varsity years...grew stronger and acquired a powerful shot. Both brothers have been good to know and coach......have gone to different colleges and done well on their respective teams......and led Tech and Roanoke College to successful seasons. This coach dad finds another reward of being coach in observing two brothers who have done so well on and off the field.

Bragging on or showing pride of these young soccer players who succeed in soccer and later as grown adults in life is a joy that I have repeated constantly to the readers. Of the hundreds of players that I have coached and enjoyed, there is a spiritualness that has not been mentioned....but is real. Most of these former players have done well in their lives, and I enjoy sharing their lives with the readers.

A few young men have gone on and shared their spiritual work that I need to mention to you also. Understand, if I have not shared your religious work in these paragraphs, it may be because of lack of memory or not being told . I would love to hear of my soccer players' work in church or missions if I have overlooked you...!!

Andy McCaskill became state player of the year in his senior year in approximately '95. He played for me back in his three years of eligibility (in the late '80's into '90). He and wife Susan served as missionaries after college probably in the late '90's...maybe up in the early 21st century. I found out about two years ago that Andy and wife are now teaching (I think) in Richmond. Aaron, my son, and wife have served in Kazakhstan in '07 and plan to go back this year...(contingent)... Greg Moses of the 2000 team has served and plans again this year working with youth and soccer in South Africa. Chad Morris works on Carson-Newman campus as advisor and is newly married. Darryl McCallum is now a pastor based (I think) in Christiansburg. Craig Janney is married and pastor in NC. Mark Givens and brother Kent are in the Harrisonburg area...one a youth pastor and one working for Campus Crusade.
(Again, these are sketchy details and my apology.)

One day....driving my younger son home from practice, we were talking about (can you guess?)...soccer. Leave it to this coach dad to make a teachable moment; I mentioned to my soccer player son some ideas about being a good soccer player and what it takes. Being a teacher and a coach, I conceived some key words needed to be a good soccer player that conveniently began with "S."

In no special order I thought of these key words:
size......speed.....strength......smarts......shooting......stamina......sight...and....skills...!!
These creative words may seem simple..short...and stupid to the reader, but they do relate cohesively to soccer success. Size...speed...strength...stamina...and skills are most obviously thought of and understood although of those five key words....maybe the reader may have some reservation. Strength is needed in order to fight off the defender...to win the ball shoulder to shoulder. Stamina is surely needed since running and endurance are key components during an active, continuous motion game. A hard-working player may overcome size...perhaps even in winning headers. Speed and skills (admittedly) are probably the two S's that a player most needs.

Included in the final three " S" words are smarts and sight and shooting; all of which can be related in a way. Smarts seemingly involves the player playing the field.....knowing the game....the teamwork.....how to use the clock.....knowing what to do in a field/game situation. Sight is an awkward way of saying a good soccer player uses his sight to know where to go...to know a "man may be on".....to see a chance to assist an easy or difficult through pass for a goal..!!! It is imperative for a good soccer player to play with his head up ....always watching for the slightest advantage...using eye contact ...or some way communicating to his teammate. Shooting has to be perfected. A good shooter has to work constantly on his shot...practice on the run...different angle shots.....and especially PKs. Along with shooting, the player has to strengthen his leg(s).... be able to to use either foot/leg.....concentrate...head down and follow through.........and stay focused..!

These eight "S" words to become confident and do well in soccer are hard to master; no one player is probably perfect or can easily master all the "S's." Trying and narrowing to a few favorite words, though, is important. The aspiring young soccer player might wisely narrow those eight "S" words to at least five.....to "get by." The more "S" words you can master or feel comfortable with.....the better....!! Try (for starters)....sayyy.....smarts....skills....stamina.....then....strength(?)

One of the captains of the first junior high team was a well-thought-of...very likable and skilled young man who was a ninth grader who went varsity the next year. This story is not so much about him as it is about his son who was the only player I ever had of a former player on the original junior high team...! Let's call him "JT," and you may find him good to know.

I knew JT prior to his seventh grade year and obviously was looking forward to his trying out and playing; this was because I knew his father whom I had coached and was expecting great things from this young man. Somewhere...sometime...somehow.......this hoped-for young man (I found out) lost his right eye by means of a sling shot while playing the previous summer before eligibility for seventh grade. He was down as could be expected; the team still did well without him, and JT and the team survived.

In JT's eighth grade year, he tried out for the team...made it...and showed good skills. JT was small, but a good ball control player with good skills. As coach I figured that his good eye being left, it might be smarter for him to play right half. What he lost by size and the missing eye, he overcame by control skill. He had done well and had overcome (if you will) disability. END of STORY

Well, JT did well...he officiated some rec soccer games.....and he played some rec or traveling soccer. Contrary, though, to what he told me while officiating rec games...he did not ever play varsity. JT did well to overcome his handicap....I think highly of him and his dad....so I choose to withhold my judgment.

No names are mentioned here, but this young man is an example of determination and encouragement who starred on the '94 middle school team. Memory fades from this coach; he did not play on the undefeated team of '93.... because of three or four reasons that I have to admit evade me now. This good, hardworking, hustling player did not play on the '93 middle school team because...(1) I foolishly may have made a bad cut...(2) his grades were not sufficient... (3) he may have not been aware of tryout times...(4)or his parents were not supportive and/or aware of their responsibilities to him as parents to son.

What I do remember well and am proud of is this: One day in my free period, I stopped by the detention room to talk to this potential player for the '94 spring soccer season. I knew him well for various reasons, so I felt as a teacher and coach I could talk with him. As we sat (privately) and talked, I made sure he understood that I was not mad at him....that our team needed him....that I wanted him to try out.....that he needed to keep his grades up in order to be eligible....that I kept track of my players' work, attitude, and grades during and before season....that I thought highly/positively of him....and that I believed he would be glad if he tried out. That took almost the entire period, and I had no idea what to expect although I knew my son who played was the boy's friend.

Long story...short: The young man did try out ...made the team...................and stayed with soccer through his senior year......yeah....... even to first year of college. I would like to take some credit....ok....I will. But most of the credit (if it is to be given) goes to his good companion...my son. My son and his friend (that I had talked with) did well in varsity...started in most games....made All District...All Region....and son...Second Team All State by his senior year. They were friends and shared many good times together. When the state championship game in '96 came up...they were playing.......when college came up, they "walked on" together.....and illness (Mono) for my son and a leg injury for his friend may have hampered my son's friend's "stick-to-ive-ness......but for many years the power of caring and friendship may have saved one player from ....not participating in sports that may have blessed his life.

One player who was consistent and helpful to his coach was (let's call him) BT. This strong and helpful young man "came up in the ranks" as a manager and ultimately the keeper in '88. BT was always willing to help and was a strong determined young man who always looked forward to being a keeper. Knowing that BT was willing and able to step up was reassuring to this coach.

What coach dad has found out recently was interesting and reassuring. BT, the hard working and determined young man, is now BT, the weightlifter and body builder. He earned a Masters from the Citadel and now works an Aquatics Trainer and Personal Trainer for a fitness center. He has a degree or works in exercise physiology and has done television promotions for bodybuilding and promotes cardio training and general wellness. It does seem from a brief look at his work promotion about wellness and bodybuilding that the reader might find it strange that alcohol and care free lifestyle are promoted also.

This former coach likes the idea that this young man seems to be a hard worker and promotes health and well-being. His personal promotions on television speak well and are done professionally by the hard working former keeper. What is also unique and positive about BT is his personal transformation and mature growth from a likable, thoughtful young man with a gentle smile to a developing, physically strong
positive, self-assured professional bodybuilder who knows what he wants. This coach dad is proud of BT, but cannot claim any credit for his success..!

Recently, one of my emphases was mentioning having 20-some pairs of brothers over the twenty years of coaching junior high/middle school soccer. In my desire to cover these brothers, I realized that I did not know sufficiently about their lives since graduation and naturally could not be fair to them in writing about their successes.....achievements.....families (if necessary).....and (maybe) how soccer played a part in their lives.

Rob and Kevin were probably (in my memory) the first or second pair of brothers on the first teams from '85 through '88. I had mentioned Rob (not by name) when I previously mentioned he and Scott being the original players on the first William Byrd Junior high team as they played seventh, eighth, and ninth grade and made all district the one year that I remember the league keeping record of that honor. Rob's younger brother, Kevin, played in Rob's ninth grade year and the next year which I know to be Rob's tenth grade year.

Trying to describe these young men is a delight and easy: both were tall...lean...skilled...experienced...quick-to-learn...quiet...and....excellent examples to their teammates and coach..!! A coach...especially a new coach...could not have asked for better players. In researching for this writing I'm attempting, I found that the older (Rob) has achieved a Ph.D in biostatistics from Johns Hopkins and researches and teaches. He is a father of two girls, and his wife has had some major accomplishments also.

To my interest and expectations, Kevin, is just as quiet or more so , compared to his older brother. Kevin graduated from Tech and is a software engineer and deals withe Defense Department. As a family man, he also has two children, and his wife is a rocket scientist who plays co-ed adult soccer..!

As a coach dad, I admit to being proud of all my players when coaching and even more so when the players have become responsible young men..!!

Caleb and Kyle are two fine young men who played for me as seventh graders on my last team in '04. They did not start, but were good learners who exhibited their skills when given a chance. Caleb broke or sprained his foot early in the season, and unfortunately could not see much playing time. Kyle practiced behind Adam and learned quickly...and both Caleb and Kyle proved to be earnest and steady student/athletes.

What made them stand outs was their eagerness, politeness, and willingness to learn and improve. Never did I have to call the two young men down or demand their attention or better attitude. The two young men graduated last spring, and Kyle to William and Mary.....Caleb to run track at Elon. The good news for me is their willingness to befriend this old coach dad (they made an effort in spring before graduation to visit and share with this coach dad ....kind of like a rite of passage). They had earned credit and money for refereeing and did an admirable job as I had asked them to be involved. In doing so, they have become good examples by being themselves.

Admittedly, they owe their honest, honorable, and positive traits to their parents. They are raised in good, encouraging families whose parents in both families (and siblings) are a rewarding part of their lives. Have I mentioned how Caleb and Kyle played soccer and ran track during high school......and maintained high grades? Enough bragging..!! There is much more to share and one special happening involving Kyle that this coach dad plans to share at a later date.

At the beginning of 2000, middle school soccer reached its apex following successful teams that rank with the first four teams beginning in '85 and the first middle school teams beginning in '92 through '94......and '95 through '99. This team was comprised of later varsity players who made district and region honors and combined with other year players to make successful high school teams.

The 2000 season culminated with a 13 - 1 record (best record other than the undefeated record of '93 and the previous record the year before of 12 - 1- 1). Our only loss was at Hidden Valley's large soccer field when the strong and talented Terriers lost a close 1 - 0 game. Needless to say, when Hidden Valley came to Byrd for our return home match, the strong young Terriers handily won.

Important to notice is the following paragraph. Only three years before the middle school soccer transformation in '92, Byrd soccer had three years that were subpar years record-wise....including one close losing year. Important to note is the record of the following next team after the 2000 team had reached the ultimate competitive winning middle school team. This year, 2001, proved to be the weakest team (at least record-wise) that I had ever coached in any sport...anywhere. The record of this 2001 team (after the
2000 winning team) was 3 - 10 - 1.

A coach dad and good friend helped me coach; a key player went down near the end of the season with a knee injury...two or three players eventually moved out of state near the end of season or did not have a desire to pursue soccer ...many different rotations were tried in desperation...there seemed to be several personality conflicts...soccer skills may have needed refining....and most key players were younger players.

The following year turned out 9-4 and the young Terriers were a year older...wiser...and more experienced, and Byrd Middle School soccer never looked back. The father/coach friend and I had his year-older son to coach along with some new skilled players. As a coach dad...I experienced a rough time in 2001, but I learned patience and the understanding that I may not be as astonishing a coach as I may have once thought...!!

This coach dad tends to be wordy and talk a lot, although I try not to make "it" about me...as I mean to highlight certain players and/or special teams. There was one certain player (actually two !) who made the first three teams...seven, eight, and ninth grade ('85, '86, and '87) in the junior high years and concurrently made top grades and were really good examples by their attitudes and classwork and soccer skills. The student/player I had planned to mention graduated eventually and earned a scholarship to the Air Force Academy and went on to greater achievements...(my having lost track some 20-25 years later.)

Let me emphasize additionally (and I will elaborate in future blogs) that in 20 years of coaching school soccer, it appears to me that every year of the 20 this Byrd soccer team seemed to be blessed with high caliber student/players like the one I am trying to highlight. Of the approximately average number of ...say...25 players who made the team yearly, I can safely estimate at least 10 to 12 were on the scholastic honor roll.....and probably at least 2 - 4 student/players made straight A's. If I err on this number (high or low), I would apologize......but my numbers are verified during the season by this coach......

Back to the first three team years with the two top student/players...The key player I meant to highlight was much like his fellow player who had much the same qualities: these two student/players were respected...humble... quiet...intelligent...respectful...played without error or complaint....and were team players. This coach could say more, but there goes that wordiness..again...!

Starting the first or second year (memory does fade) at banquet times, I would announce the honoree/recipient of the newly named award named after that player as the ________ _________ Scholar-Athlete Award. That award was a true honor....and it made this coach proud of the winner...as well as the other deserving players...!!

Of the many joys a coach dad can enjoy in coaching, possibly none is more enjoyable than a young "unschooled"....eager and rough-hewn seventh grader who has no real understanding of soccer. From that point in preseason this particular tough-as-nails, strong football player was a "go-getter" who had no clue about soccer try outs and what was involved in playing soccer.

I'll use "N" as his cover name as he was in my homeroom, and for weeks I had announcements...both posted and on in-school TV reminding potential candidates of the upcoming day of soccer try outs...!! On the last day before soccer try outs were to be held, this talkative, yet likable, young seventh grader immediately awakened to my soccer try out announcement and wanted to participate. Knowing that he was "clueless," yet realizing he was spirited and already had a required physical from football in the AD's office, I thought to myself, "Why not?"

After checking with him and double questioning him and trying to make soccer clear as I could to him, I tried to explain what was expected of the guys trying out. To make a long story short, he made the team....and we worked repetitively on basic skills and teamwork. Knowing that "N" was a raw soccer talent, I made emphasis on ball control....carrying or dribbling the ball.... fighting for the ball.... protecting the ball.... chesting and trapping the ball.... heading and kicking the soccer ball.... and positioning.

Within about 3-4 games, "N" had begun to "come around." He seemed to be a quick learner by exhibiting the skills and the and energy he had previously shown at football last fall. Granted...he was not an elaborately fancy or skilled soccer player, but to this coach he was aggressive...hustling....and actually displaying the things he had been studying from this coach. The fact that he watched...listened... seriously learned.....and put the learned skills and soccer moves to work made a positive and real impact on this coach. This athlete actually made some key soccer plays and carried (dribbled) the ball upfield as he was instructed. These learned "habits" caught this coach's attention immediately.

Things like a raw talented young man who watched and learned and desired to do his best are the meaningful aspects of coaching middle school that make coaching worthwhile.

In coaching these fine young men on the soccer field, there was one unique similarity that 40 or more players shared.
This coincidental and helpful similarity would be that over the 20 coaching years shared with many hardworking players, I had the privilege of coaching at least 22 pairs of brothers. Usually the brothers were a year or four or five apart as were (sometimes) their attitudes and skills.

These soccer brothers could be paired or described in these categories: substantial difference in skills....... in hustle and attitude.......OR........some pairs ( and I remember one family had three brothers who played for me separately over a period of probably ten years).......were alike in their ability.......or their work ethic and general persona.

In skill difference, I coached about six pairs of brothers whose skill difference was noticeable...and a few pairs of brothers had some obvious gap in their work and skills. Admittedly....one pair of brothers was talented, but the older worked harder while the younger who came along five or more years later seemed to give this coach less hustle and more attitude...!!

As mentioned in a previous blog about staying in the soccer program, there were about eleven to twelve brother pairs (either one or both of the pair) who did not stay with the soccer program from middle school through their senior year...!!!

On the contrary, approximately eleven pairs of brothers who made the two years of middle school soccer had at least one brother per pair to make All District or Region in varsity play........and to my knowledge, there were four pairs of brothers where both brothers in each pair made All District...Region....and 4 brothers of two pairs (if my accounting is accurate) made All State...!!!

Therein lies the satisfaction of being a part of my middle school players who achieve.......from seventh grade to high school varsity soccer..!

As the reader will discover, this coach has enjoyed and benefitted from coaching these young men in junior high/middle school soccer. One particularly uplifting and proud moment came when we played one of the most competitive teams on our home field. As I learned from this competitive team from the start of this soccer league, they were powerful....aggressive.....and we and another SW County team were always the teams to beat.

We were winning the game and were the aggressor as our right wing was commanding attention from the opposing team with his speed and clean aggressive ways. On one particular play as my winger was walking back toward the "on" position, the opposing defensive player made a swipe at Wes...actually striking him in the jaw.

To my surprise and immediate pride (by the way I did not scramble hurriedly to his aid...but simply watched his reaction proudly).....my standout right winger simply turned away and walked back to the general area where I was standing. Quickly the center official lifted a red (a red is terminology for red-carding/ejecting the player who had done wrong). That meant that his team would play the remainder of the game with one less player.

Consequently my winger was back-slapped and huddled by his teammates, as this proud coach dad stood there and secretly vowed to himself that this moment would forever stand as a an example to refer to in following years of the quality of my team players. From my memory I do believe that proud moment lasted many years...!

Of all the approximate 470 to 490 players over the twenty years of junior high/middle school soccer, this coach found many joys in coaching and in realizing the growth and maturity as these players developed into husbands...fathers...and responsible wage earners who are making a difference in their lives and the lives of many people. Over the next few... weeks...months(?)...years(?) this coach dad intends to mention the joys of some of these players between '85 through '04 who were key players and the impact their lives may have had.

One sweeper in the early years of junior high soccer...(I found out)...to have been a soccer coach for approximately ten years and is now a middle school assistant principal in Virginia...The pride that this coach dad has is found in a player I once coached as an eighth and ninth grader....and now thinking about him and having emailed on a semi-regular basis...I am extraordinarily pleased and proud as we converse via email when possible and find we have like preferences such as travel soccer and the education field. Over the short time we have shared, we agree about teaching....coaching (what a coincidence!!)...faith....and the differences in young people as they may have changed compared to my insights of the 70's...80's....and 90's.........and now.

Being able to communicate and share similar things with a former student or player proves to this teacher the honest rewards and (yes)...joys of teaching and coaching...!!!

Being a coach dad in several rec sports .....rec and school soccer included.....proved to be interesting and enjoyable. I was blessed with two sons who were roughly two years apart and accordingly played on different age bracket rec soccer teams. Beginning with my third rec soccer team, my two sons......being young in the formation of soccer in those early years......played on my instructional soccer team and did well, and naturally my wife and I enjoyed having them together both because of convenience and the joy of watching them win their first tournament at such a young age.

After that first pleasurable year of playing and winning together, they remained separated for roughly 6-7 rec soccer years of being on different age bracket teams. As it worked out, I was able to coach the younger boy's rec soccer teams for about 4-6 consecutive winning years; my older son played on usually less fortunate teams during that same span. As both sons grew older....near their teens.....they both played on different teams uncoached by this coach dad and had very successful rec soccer teams coached by different fine men.

Starting soccer play in their teens, my sons played on successful older age teams as I had the blessed opportunity to work with both teams either as head coach for one team and assist the other team. If memory sustains my thoughts, I served as rec soccer commissioner during those last few years while I coached and assisted coaching another son's team.

During the last 3-4 years of my coaching rec soccer and being rec commissioner, my wife noticed my time at home and with her was being more stretched and harried.......not even mentioning the stress that I may have secretly felt. Having realized that fact, this coach dad by the end of the season made plans to be just a dad and not a coach...at least in rec soccer..!


Coaching soccer has been this dad's joy...and blessing..!! Add two fine young men who have done well athletically...educationally...spiritually....and are themselves now dad; this dad is grateful for the time I've had and for an understanding and giving wife.

My very first year of being a coach-but-not-a-dad did involve the two or three dads of the boys I coached in youth football my first year of graduation from college which was my first year of teaching high school in a small delta town in Mississippi. Memories fall short when one tries to gather all the memories of getting the head job.....having the key fathers volunteer to assist.....day to day practices.....and remembering names which have long flown away.

What this coach will not forget are the pleasantries that very first year as the dads so eagerly and thoughtfully showed me as they gave me free reign....trust....cooperation.....and....amazing support during my first coaching season as we celebrated a seemingly brief, yet undefeated season...!! My mind reflects on the few pictures of the boys at the celebratory party which I have no idea where those snap shots are now.

This coach has to admit that this delta town was a small country town where recreational sports played a major role in the lives of those around me, and being a teacher-coach must have made great impact as a "visiting" coach from out of state..!! I, as a first year coach that was trusted with such marvelous responsibility, cannot but be humbled to have had such a blessed and special experience for my first year of coaching.

The second year of middle school soccer was another promising year for seventh and eighth graders. The players were talented...challenging...enthusiastic...and, again,....absent their senior year. My count since these 17-18 years has weakened somewhat, but a coach's memory still hangs on...maybe feebly...but it tries...!

Granted....each individual player has his own varied talents, so this coach cannot be too judgmental. I do know that there may have been two-three of the middle school soccer players who eventually excelled in tennis by their sophomore year in high school. Baseball was another real competitor that provided a place for previous middle school soccer players. Recently, as more prevalent these last eight to ten years, track was a legitimate opponent to soccer also. That would be ironic because many up and coming varsity soccer players tended to have difficulty with extreme running...and, as it would turn out,...they may have turned to track..!!

This second year of middle school was a mix of talent...skill...and eager energy. The young men played excitedly and attacked; their talent was evident as they fought back against their skilled foe to come back and win in a tough away game. The last game of the season was away against a tough private school on a changed home field involving a loss of time and upset parents. If we win.....we complete the first perfect 12 and 0 season. A coach's key substitution in the last minute of the game allowed our talented and strong halfback to make a long , beautifully placed cross from the right tying the game at one and one...thus insuring an undefeated, but not perfect....11 - 0 - 1 season.

The spring of '92 began with the new middle school soccer rules. The format was instituted with the idea of giving all players some playing time by establishing a fifth quarter (post game) for any player who had not played in the primary contest. This new segment of middle school soccer was a positive idea to this coach dad as it allowed every player who practiced to get some earned playing time. Coincidentally, having coached rec football and other rec sports, this coach saw and understood the obvious need for playing time for all team members on the middle school team.....and I had initially tried to make an effort to use most players.....even before the advent of the new middle school rules.

The initial '92 spring season saw the difference in level of play as we opened with twenty eighth graders and 7-8 seventh graders. What I eventually recognized (and knew beforehand..!!!) was the tremendous potential of talent that this team possessed. These young men wound up the first season with an impressive 11-1 record...actually being upset by a lower place team on that team's home field. This first year middle school coach learned an important lesson that almost any team...on a given day or home field...can beat another team; this coach dad learned also never to take a certain team for granted.

At the end of this new middle school season, I met with the team (as I usually do) and challenged the older players to do their best and stick in sports (hopefully soccer). Point of interest: I always followed my players through high school sports (hopefully soccer) and kept track of their progress. In their senior year of high school, the high school soccer team went to double overtime...double shoot-out...and lost the state championship. This coach, and coincidentally a dad of a starting sophomore and starting senior, will never
forget that of the twenty eighth graders I had coached five years previously....only eight former eighth grade players were seniors on that high school "almost state champion"......makes you think...doesn't it???

Junior high soccer officially ended in the spring of '91. From the beginning season in '85 to the last junior high season in spring of '91, there were several county schools who were structured as junior highs.....but Byrd was originally intermediate, changed to junior high. The first four years in the soccer league for junior highs, Byrd was season co-champion ...tournament champion...and third place....averaging about 75% in win/lost. The last three years before the middle school designation, our soccer team hit a mediocre series of soccer seasons with one loss and two "so-so" records.

Our next blog will begin with this school's first middle school team in '92............!!!!

In our first season as junior high soccer, we were eventually competitive with a far southwest county team that seemed to often compete with us as champions during my twenty years of school soccer; the tone was set in our return match with this team in our first season in an away game. Trailing 1-0 in the first half, our tri-captain was yellow-carded for playing aggressively and pushing his opponent. In this first season of junior high soccer, being yellow-carded was like a warning, but I immediately took control by substituting my tri-captain to give him a chance to cool off and to say a word to him.

He was very animated...wanting to get back into play. As a rookie coach, a bad decision was made followed by a (I believe) wise decision...............for this new coach..!! The bad decision was to relent to my heated and aggressive tri-captain to quickly substitute him back in where upon he immediately went straight to the opponent he had pushed and pushed again even more forcefully......thereby being red-carded which automatically meant he was thrown out of the game.

I was in a quandary; my team had to play the last minutes of the first half and all of the second half with one less player compared to the opposing team. The wise decision I felt I made as a "rookie" coach "on the fly" was to drop the three man attack to a two man front which helped cover for the ejected player and use the stronger and more talented middle striker more as a half back who could play more defensively. To my comfort and encouragement, one of my dads I had previously mentioned to you had (without notice) sidled up to me and mentioned the same idea....not recognizing what I had just done..!!!!

We won 2 - 1.........!!!!!!!!!!!

The first day of try outs was exciting...94 players were trying out...!! This coach dad was surprised and wary of taking two-three afternoons to use drills..running..and previous insights to narrow the choices to below thirty.
As it turned out the choices were plentiful and difficult; finally my choice was thirty. As it became symbolic eventually, my numbers of those who made the team yearly turned out to be twenty-two to thirty....mostly near the high twenties.
Our first game was in windy and cold (snow flurries) Robert Patterson Stadium (home) against our arch rival who competed with us almost evenly in twenty years for first. The weather and conditions typically involved wind and some extreme weather...........and, as typical of our team and our arch rival, they won the first game of the twenty years.......2 - 1.
Since we played home and away each season, we met this competitive team at a neutral field which was their home field later in the season .......A most important play set the tone for coach dad that made an impact in the following twenty years of coaching junior high/middle school soccer..!!

Previously I had mentioned dads and their presence with rec sports who had helped me in rec football....t-ball....and rec soccer. This is obviously true more so in recreational sports because you have volunteers who graciously help each other out and usually have a tight schedule after work to make time to coach ten...fifteen...or.... twenty young, excited sons or daughters thereby keeping the rec program viable.

Starting coaching junior high/middle school soccer initially seemed like rec sports the first year when automatically I had three very considerate....kind....extremely helpful fathers who were previous rec/travel soccer coaches who knowingly stood aside as I began my stint at school coaching. I assume they were trying to be helpful (which they were)......maybe fearful that this supposed novice of a assumed coach did not know what to expect (which may have been true)....and were gracious enough to be available if the need came. High school soccer had just begun about three years previously, and the county school parents had pressured and won their effort to make (then) junior high soccer viable and real.

Naturally, those coach dads had a real and important investment in their sons and soccer, and I was aided by those three dads who stood by the sidelines ...readily willing to offer even the slightest of advice or (if need be) some help in running the soccer drills.
(next post:)...first try-outs and first game