A son’s letter…
The people who founded youth soccer, maintained it and now run it in the Waynesville-St.Robert area are numerous and otherwise unrecognized volunteers. Richland, Laquey, Dixon, and Crocker all owe a debt of gratitude to these people, for creating local interest in the sport and guiding them in the creation of their own leagues. Last fall, the Crocker boys finished their year at the State Final 4, a direct result of the regions development.
But the reason I write this letter is for one man. I doubt seriously the people of these communities know that the unassuming junior varsity girl’s soccer coach for the Waynesville Tigers is one of the founders of Pulaski County soccer. On Thursday May 8, 2008, my father Nelson Morgan, will coach his last soccer game.
He’s coached more than a thousand soccer players from ages 5-19 in the Waynesville area the past 22 years. He took a year off in the late 90’s from coaching high school, but continued even then with youth teams. During this period he’s been the common thread running through coaches, players, youth leagues, field maintenance, flood recovery, school board meetings, athletic directors, etc. He is, as far as I’m concerned the grandfather not only of my nephew, but also of Pulaski County soccer.
He’s been there for it all, from 1986 to 2008. And I thank him publicly for that. I play a soccer game weekly nearly 500 miles away from Waynesville, in Murfreesboro, TN. The field is full of 20-30 something soccer has-beens, a generation of people who grew up playing soccer. We all seem to have the same story, a small town league, where no one knew how to start a new sport. But we learned to love the game, as do thousands of people in Pulaski County on Saturday mornings now regularly. Thanks Dad, this is your legacy. It is a good one.
Skylor Morgan
Smyrna, TN
Nelson has done a great job maintaining and always trying to improve Waynesville soccer. I have gotten to know Nelson well the last 2 years and have found him one of the most prepared coaches I have ever been around. He is a student of the game and has a passion for soccer and the kids that is rivaled by few. Nelson is never out-worked by an opposing coach and he strives to put his players in a situations that allow them to be successful. On top of that, I have never in my life seen someone keep such meticulous statistics. Nelson, you may retire from coaching, but I am certain we will see you around some Ozark Conference matches with the floppy hat and the chair that must now say: the re-un-re-tired Coach Morgan. We’ll miss your excitement about the game in Waynesville.
Josh Scott, Head Coach
Waynesville Tigers
Nelson has been the face of Waynesville soccer since its inception. His hard work and dedication will be missed. He truly is one of the good people in our business, and I for one will miss seeing him at the Waynesville games. Thanks Nelson for all you did for soccer in our area.
Tom Davidson
Ozark Tigers
Nelson carried that clipboard around like a preacher carries a Bible. I have always admired his professionalism in everything he did. Through his efforts, Waynesville is one of the first programs that led the way on how to properly host a district tournament or state play off game. They saw the importance of honoring the teams playing by doing the small things to allow the participating teams the ability to just focus on the game. Nelson was a big part of that effort and for that I will always be grateful. Congrats on all the years you have invested in encouraging kids to learn and play the beautiful game, but more importantly the life lessons you have instilled.
Jeff Rogers
Glendale Falcons
Loyal is a word that I would say describes Nelson Morgan. In my 17 years at Rolla, Waynesville has had 6 head coaches, including Nelson himself. With that kind of turnover it is difficult to maintain any consistency, yet Nelson has given that to the Tiger program and that takes a unique quality. He takes a great deal of pride in the soccer program and I am happy that he has seen this senior group at Waynesville have some success as he certainly deserves it.
Mike Howard
Rolla Bulldogs
9 Comments
Skylor,
What a great letter honoring you dad’s long-term involvement to improving the lives of all the athletes and students he has mentored. While not all the community knows the genesis of the Pulaski County soccer program, those who have worked with your dad know the character and committment of the Coach and the teacher.
Nelson Morgan through Kiwanis Soccer introduced hundreds if not thousands of kids to soccer as four year olds. Those kids have spread his love for the game across the globe through Waynesville’s diverse military community. Nelson has overseen Waynesville’s program from a sure win for opponents to a program that is competitive with other quality soccer programs in the Ozarks.
Nelson,
As a parent who has a child that benefitted from your guidance I thank you for dedicating a large portion of your life to our children. As a resident of the Waynesville area I thank you for helping to introduce an activity to keep our youth active that helped them to develop in so many ways. As someone who considers you a friend I offer my congratulations on your complete retirement. As Skylor said, your legacy is a good one.
For those who missed the game Nelson had a great surprise today. His son, Skylor, showed up to support his Dad on this momentous occassion.
Skylor - you rock! Thank you for sharing this story with my readers and have a great weekend with your Dad.
I’m usually not for a loss of words, but I was today. My sincerest thanks to all of you for your kind words and acts of friendship. It IS a beautiful game and I know it’s all been worth it when I see kids I coached, coaching other kids. See you around the pitch.
Nelson,
I have thoroughly enjoyed the competition between our girls teams over the years…there have been some great battles! Thank you for everything you have done for our game during the past 20+ years. Your efforts have not only touched the Waynesville community, they have touched us all. I am among the many who are proud to call you a friend.
Coach Morgan has been a huge inspiration for me to continue playing soccer. I remember the 2nd day of try-outs my freshman year and asking him if he thought I could succeed in being a soccer player at Waynesvile. He told me that I could quit but I would never know if I would ever be good enough. Coach Morgan has be an amazing coach and Life teacher…….. seeing how he’s been through most of it just, joking coach morgan. We’ll miss you.
I remember when I first started coaching at Camdenton and we played Waynesville and good ole Coach Nelson. He had a strong team in 1998 and then the team dipped a bit and after one rough season where the Lady Tigers did not win very many matches during the All-District selection meeting I asked him about the season and he said something to the affect of, “This was a rough year, but we’ll be back again one year.” He was so calm and serious about it and now look at that girls team. Wow. He was 100% correct. They are definitely back and have been back for years. He is truly a class act and just his presence around the Waynesville high school team will be greatly missed. To have his son write that about him is such a great thing. I wish him the best and hope that he knows how his coaching methods inspired me to be a better coach.
My Congratulations to Nelson on his retirement and for all he has done for Waynesville Soccer. Twenty years have passed since my son moved from the Ft Wood youth program to Waynesville. At that time I met Nelson, and his wonderful family, and we spent many an hour together coaching, observing, and cheering on the Waynesville players over the next 10 years. Nelson was truly my mentor and go to guy during my years as a youth coach. For the teaching, friendship, and fun times he gave to our family we are eternally thankful for Nelson. Best of Luck.
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