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.