"A Second Father"

Sitting on Bill's porch as a kid with Marc, my brother, and the rest of the boys on the street, we somehow ended up arguing about who's dad was stronger than who's. Eventually, Marc bested all of by saying, "my dad could lift our house with his pinky." Of course, we debated and argued the fact that it would be impossible for anyone to lift a house with their pinky, and that Marc was lying. In retrospect I have to say that although he may not have been able to lift a house with his pinky, Bill definitely lifted our team and many young people with his love, devotion, and giant spirit.

I hesitate to share memories and experiences that are so fond that I would repeat them in an instant for fear of not being able to adequately describe them. Some of by best memories revolve around being part of a team that Bill coached from our first years in AYSO to a state championship game. Anyone who had the chance to learn from Bill and to be on the receiving end of one of his huge bear hugs before a game or a kiss on the forehead with a huge bear hug after a hard loss was truly fortunate.

I still clearly remember being a six year old kid starting his first day of soccer practice with a big bearded man as a coach. I recall very vividly lining up in one of our first practices as Bill taught us one-by-one how to use something other than our toe to kick a soccer ball. I see him kneeling in front of me holding my foot and slowly moving my instep toward the ball as I hold on to his shoulder for balance. That memory was with me throughout my years of playing for Bill - a man larger than life who was willing to kneel down in front of a timid six year old to teach him the basics of soccer. Just as he was a source of stability that day, he was a source of confidence, motivation, discipline, unity, and love for those who played for him over the years.

Bill taught me confidence in myself. In retrospect I can see now that I was not the greatest player, but thanks to Bill I believed I could play great. Early on, Bill took the time to pull my parents and me aside after a game, to discuss with them the possibility of me being able to play college soccer on scholarship. I was young enough that I had never heard of a scholarship, but that day I began to believe that I had the potential to be great at something. Bill's confidence and sense of motivation was contagious. I never played collegiate soccer, but the sense of accomplishment, confidence, and potential he gave me translated to success in other areas of my life.

We were all lucky to play for and know Bill whether it was for all the years that we played or only a single season. No matter what was happening in our lives Bill gave us a second family and someone to be that shoulder of stability. In times of great personal or collective loss, he was our friend. When we lost one of our best and dearest teammates he grieved with us, lifted us up, and unified us. As others have said, Bill truly loved his players like sons, and we loved him like a second father.

Thank you, Bill. I hope that being wrapped in loving arms on the other side will help you know how much those hugs meant to us.