Published Wednesday, April 30, 2008 10:48 AM
Updated Wednesday, April 30, 2008 10:49 AM

 

Soccer coaches will be missed

Dear Editor:

If you are part of the youth soccer world in Goose Creek, you are already aware of the significant loss suffered due to the untimely deaths of both Matt Slagle, a long-time coach and board member for Goose Creek United Soccer Club, and, more recently, Ralph Schmaltz, long-time board president, coach, cheerleader and tireless supporter of youth soccer.

Goose Creek United Soccer Club is a non-profit youth soccer organization in Goose Creek dedicated to teaching youth the game of soccer.  The board and coaches are volunteers on the club and provide their time and energy free of charge to promote and teach youth soccer.  The club has been in existence approximately 15 years and has experienced many championship teams in the leagues in which they competed.  

The club has seen many of its players move on to playing at the high school and college levels.  Over the years the club has seen many players, coaches and board members but none have dedicated more hours at practices, traveling to matches and tournaments, talking with parents, and attending meetings to further the purpose of the club than Coach Matt and Coach Ralph.

Although these two coaches spent countless hours teaching young people how to improve their soccer skills, how to execute team tactics on the soccer field their effort was far beyond just seeing these players succeed on the soccer field.  One can easily see that their hours of coaching and promoting the sport also served to provide these young people an understanding of teamwork, self discipline and commitment to having fun and improving their journey in the mastery of this wonderful sport.

It is our belief that the motivation from these two great volunteers was the connection that they understood between teaching skills and tactics and teamwork on the field of soccer to essential skills to be successful in the “game” of life.  

While their players were learning how to kick a soccer ball, how to pass it to a teammate, how to defend against the other team, they were also learning the mental, emotional and physical maturity and fitness required to succeed in our world today.  

Our community has lost two great individuals who dedicated many hours to volunteer their time to further youth sports.    However, our community will continue to benefit from the lessons learned by the players who played for these two great coaches.  

Our challenge to all youth soccer players, both past and present, is to continue to further this wonderful sport as an adult.  Your future support of youth soccer will provide the same benefits far beyond those simple soccer skills and tactics and will allow the wonderful legacies of Coach Matt and Coach Ralph to continue to flourish.

The Board of GCUSC

Submitted by Steve Woodford, Secretary

Goose Creek