Paying Homage to My Coach, Supporter and Most Importantly Dad

This Father’s Day, I’ve been spending a lot of time reflecting on the years my Dad spent coaching my soccer team. From the “squirts” level through high school, he was always on the sidelines supporting me. Even when he was relieved of his coaching duties and became a spectator, I could always count on him to be there cheering me on.

Looking back, I realize just how important that unwavering support was. Whether he was giving pointers, writing out drills, rooting me on, or debriefing plays in the car – he poured his energy into my love for the game. All of these moments meant more than soccer. They allowed me to gain confidence, improve my game and grow as a person with my Dad by my side.

Not only was he consistently present and involved, he also documented moments from every game he ever coached or watched. A moment that struck me from his archive of blogs was his point of view of my first varsity goal.

On September 15, 2015 he wrote, “Early in the second half Kingsway scored again to go up 2-1. Haddonfield kept pressing and was getting direct kicks, but nothing came of it. Then, on a direct kick, Ellie got a step on the defenders and poked one into the lower left of the net. Her first goal of the season...
It’s cool hearing your daughter’s name called out on the loudspeaker after she scored.”

It means a lot to feel the pride he had in that moment. It’s a reminder that our sports are bigger than ourselves—especially when our parents dedicate so much of their time and energy to them. I am so grateful for how much he invested into what meant the most to me. To this day, soccer remains one of my favorite ways to exercise, have fun and connect with my Dad.

This Father’s Day I am especially thankful for our time spent on the field together.