The best way to thank someone as wonderful and selfless as Dan is to begin with a quote:
(for all of the 8th grade soccer parents – this will mean a lot more to you)
"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."-- Calvin Coolidge
Dan has been with most of the kids in this ‘UNDEFEATED Championship Winning 8th Grade Division 1Under-14 SIYSL Team’ for about 9 years.
Let’s start with what Dan has given these kids:
- Teamwork, Commitment, Respect, Self Confidence, Sportsmanship, Lifelong Friendships
Dan has given of himself and I am sure his wife Ivette will attest; hours upon hours of time to the Petrides Soccer Program. He has built this program from the ground up and continues to build and develop this wonderful program. He is one of those people who practices what he preaches – it has never been about winning, it is about winning and losing as a team.
His whole ideals center around a team philosophy – that no one is above it. (Funny enough, he just mentioned the other day how he doesn’t believe in an MVP that it takes a team to win.) As a parent who was lucky enough to have him coach my son – I feel honored that he has been with me every step of the way teaching values and morals to my son and his friends.
Lastly to all of the kids who have been a part of his team, please take a moment every now and then to reflect on what he has given you and the memories you all share in being a part of such a fantastic program. The best way to do this is to try your best EVERY day and remember to live and give life your fullest potential. It’s people like Dan who give of themselves and expect nothing in return.
These are powerful words to live by…
(My thanks to Candy and the others for recognizing and appreciating the effort)
But remember....
“The test of a good coach is that when they leave, others will carry on successfully.” Author Unknown
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Season Ending Leads to New Beginning
As the Petrides Panthers Blue took the field for their final game today, Mark Murraso, Jr. took over the coaching duties and called out the positions. Coach Mark and myself sought shelter from the blistering heat on the parent's side of the field and settled in to watch the action amongst the distractions and the idle chatter.
The line stayed the same, with the exception of Katrina W. and Vicky R who decided to take on the roll of cheerleaders for the last game, ready to play at a moments notice. BJ started the scoring when he settled a Ryan H. pass and put it in the back of the net. Mike M. had a chance to follow, but his shot was knocked down by a hand in the box, and his PK stuck to the melting turf, making it an easy save for the keeper. A few minutes later Mike redeemed himself and found the goal. Game control from that part on wasn't an issue although Eddie R. and Richard A. had to run down a Hill player from time to time.
As the temperature hit 100, we started the second half. Katrina took time away from tanning to play some soccer and pushed a ball outside to a streaking Greg M who blasted a bullet. Minutes later Greg followed with a 'Flying Fajita' header off a Chris E. corner and ended up in the back of the net with the ball.
After Hill scored a couple of goals into what looked like an empty net, BJ answered back with a goal of his own and regained the team scoring title, much to the delight of the cheering fans. Mike M. chipped in the last goal of the game, of the season, and of the run to secure the 6-2 victory and the undefeated title.
...Can't wait till High School.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves."-Mike Ditka
Practice - None
Game - None
Party - 6/9 6pm Miyako
Party - 6/13 4pm Petrides
The line stayed the same, with the exception of Katrina W. and Vicky R who decided to take on the roll of cheerleaders for the last game, ready to play at a moments notice. BJ started the scoring when he settled a Ryan H. pass and put it in the back of the net. Mike M. had a chance to follow, but his shot was knocked down by a hand in the box, and his PK stuck to the melting turf, making it an easy save for the keeper. A few minutes later Mike redeemed himself and found the goal. Game control from that part on wasn't an issue although Eddie R. and Richard A. had to run down a Hill player from time to time.
As the temperature hit 100, we started the second half. Katrina took time away from tanning to play some soccer and pushed a ball outside to a streaking Greg M who blasted a bullet. Minutes later Greg followed with a 'Flying Fajita' header off a Chris E. corner and ended up in the back of the net with the ball.
After Hill scored a couple of goals into what looked like an empty net, BJ answered back with a goal of his own and regained the team scoring title, much to the delight of the cheering fans. Mike M. chipped in the last goal of the game, of the season, and of the run to secure the 6-2 victory and the undefeated title.
...Can't wait till High School.
"The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves."-Mike Ditka
Practice - None
Game - None
Party - 6/9 6pm Miyako
Party - 6/13 4pm Petrides
Sunday, June 1, 2008
And now the end is near...
Today's game ended as expected and our play mirrored the way we played against the 7th graders in game 3. We dominated play on our side, took some shots but no one was playing with any real intensity. Joe Roda put it best "We were playing down to them".
Some bouncing balls missed there mark and a strong Panther White defense ate up all our shots in the first half. They were giving up corners but we were letting the ball through without connecting. Not until a Vicky R. corner kick bounced around the box and found the head of Jimmy D. did we finally get on the board. (an actual scoreboard) We ended the half up 1-0 and didn't give up a shot on goal, but only took 6 of our own.
After the half time ritual speech of the mistakes we were making and how to correct them, we started with a new look. Jimmy D. was a last minute sub at keeper after another player forgot the meaning of team play. We pushed the ball down field and had some chances, but the hustle wasn't there. Not until Mike M's aggressive play put a rebound past their outstretched keeper. The White answered right back, when they took advantage of a defensive miss play and a soft shot to the far post rolled through the fingers of our guest goalie. We had ourselves a game.
The push continued, and with Greg M. running the flank, crosses were being missed, but we kept the pressure on. When Mike M's second goal was stolen by Dean F. we were up by 2, and accomplished the team's mission...."EVERYBODY SCORED A GOAL THIS SEASON". Mike M. jambed in what would have been his hat trick in the final minute, and the Petrides Panthers Blue clinched their 2nd Straight Under 14 Boys Division 1 Title.
With next week being our 148th and last game as a team, I've asked Mark Murrasso, Jr. to coach the game and I will take up position on the parents side for the first time in 9 Years. I'll have my chair, a cigar...and look forward to enjoying the action with the other parents.
Thanks for a great run......
Last Practice: Friday 2:30 to 4:00
Last Game: Sunday 9:00 (Show Up 8:30)
Championship Party: Monday 6/9 6:00 pm
Miyako Sushi & Hibachi
939 Richmond Ave (Corner of Forest Ave by IHOP)
Some bouncing balls missed there mark and a strong Panther White defense ate up all our shots in the first half. They were giving up corners but we were letting the ball through without connecting. Not until a Vicky R. corner kick bounced around the box and found the head of Jimmy D. did we finally get on the board. (an actual scoreboard) We ended the half up 1-0 and didn't give up a shot on goal, but only took 6 of our own.
After the half time ritual speech of the mistakes we were making and how to correct them, we started with a new look. Jimmy D. was a last minute sub at keeper after another player forgot the meaning of team play. We pushed the ball down field and had some chances, but the hustle wasn't there. Not until Mike M's aggressive play put a rebound past their outstretched keeper. The White answered right back, when they took advantage of a defensive miss play and a soft shot to the far post rolled through the fingers of our guest goalie. We had ourselves a game.
The push continued, and with Greg M. running the flank, crosses were being missed, but we kept the pressure on. When Mike M's second goal was stolen by Dean F. we were up by 2, and accomplished the team's mission...."EVERYBODY SCORED A GOAL THIS SEASON". Mike M. jambed in what would have been his hat trick in the final minute, and the Petrides Panthers Blue clinched their 2nd Straight Under 14 Boys Division 1 Title.
With next week being our 148th and last game as a team, I've asked Mark Murrasso, Jr. to coach the game and I will take up position on the parents side for the first time in 9 Years. I'll have my chair, a cigar...and look forward to enjoying the action with the other parents.
Thanks for a great run......
Last Practice: Friday 2:30 to 4:00
Last Game: Sunday 9:00 (Show Up 8:30)
Championship Party: Monday 6/9 6:00 pm
Miyako Sushi & Hibachi
939 Richmond Ave (Corner of Forest Ave by IHOP)
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