My football coaching world continues to take me on journeys with young players that shows the importance and relevance of taking on the coaching role that I have on Bainbridge Island.  In July 2000 I came to this island and started coaching kids. Some 14 years later the Island Magic young girls I started first coaching are now in their mid 20’s and for me it is unreal to understand that I was an important  part of their growth as young people.

Nurturing kids is my first job, and creating soccer players is my second, and whilst I have come across people in Washington who are better coaches than me, I have yet to come across anyone that has that combination of being able to connect with kids and coach them well at the same time.  It is what makes me most proud, more than any trophies, medals or awards.

I have been fortunate to generate that enormous bond between players and coach several times, and feel so fortunate that it continues.  Each journey with a team influences me, and teaches me how to be better, but eventually my players graduate out of club soccer and I have to move on to the next challenge.  It is hard saying goodbye.  It seems so unfair that my career brings me great players and families, but at under 18 season end it is all over.  The bonds that we forged, and the memories that have been made are set free, but will never be forgotten.

Recently my BIFC ’95 Blue boys graduated out of club soccer with a fairy tale ending.  In their final 14 games the team won 13 and tied 1, and rounded out with a State Championship.  That’s a pretty cool ending no matter which way you shake it, but that’s not the real story.

The real story is a six year love affair with coaching BIFC ’95 Blue, a team of committed soccer players and the chemistry of being part of something beautiful.