Another soccer season has come to an end for Allison. Her Hawks team didn't advance past this weekend's State Cup, although the played some amazing soccer. This season's end-of-the-year party was a lot different than previous years though. Next year will be our first season without Charlie as coach since 2007!
The team put together this fun gift basket for him
and the girls and families enjoyed a nice dinner together. A big thank you to Hank and Leslie for hosting! Charlie asked each of them to talk about their favorite memory of the season and about what they learned.
We watched the traditional team DVD and Charlie presented each girl with a soccer ball and copy of the DVD. He had very nice things to say about each of them and struggled through the tears to express his gratitude and love for the girls. He and I have worked together for some long and it is tough to say goodbye…not to our friendship, but our time on the field. Here is the speech I shared with the players and families about Charlie:
In 2007, our older daughter was placed on Charlie’s Rec U8
team. Since then, he has coached her in
multiple seasons of rec, 2 seasons of Allstars and 3 years of Hawks…including a
State Cup Championship. After a little
pressuring from our family and several others, we convinced him to start
coaching Allison’s age group as well and she has enjoyed 3 fantastic seasons
with him.
I have been up here standing next to Charlie giving this
speech many times before as a Team Mom, Asst Coach and Team Manager. Every time is emotional as we say goodbye to
a great season and an outstanding group of girls, but this year is eerily
different because there isn’t a next season with Charlie. Our family hasn’t had a season without him in
8 years!
He has been more than a coach! He and Mary have become some of our closest
friends. We have vacationed together, created
several annual traditions and spent many hours across the dinner table
discussing soccer and so much more. From
our family to yours, we are truly grateful for the friendship and the countless
memories.
I think I can also speak for the girls and their families in
saying you are truly one of a kind. We
have yet to encounter a coach and probably never will, who puts as much time,
passion and commitment into his teams.
You love the girls like your daughters and teach them much more than
soccer. You help build their character
and create memories that will last a lifetime.
They will all go on and do great things, but they will never forget the
time on your team. I know our friendship
will continue off of the soccer field and you won’t be a stranger to any of
these girls. I hope you understand the
impact you have made and I wish you the best of luck as you go off to do the
same for all of the future soccer players who will be lucky to have you.
