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...!