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...!!!