Lot’s to enjoy as I offer a single resource for all the ’soccer junkies’ in the region to ensure you can get your fix this summer. The Southwest Soccer All-Stars play June 19th, the European Championships kick off June 7th, at the Beijing Olympics soccer kicks off August 6th.

Local Club tryout information and schedules are available, the first day is June 15th. Regional Camps start as early as June 2nd and run until early August, you should be able to find one to meet your child’s needs easily.

Jack Jewsbury continues his development and increases his role on the KC Wizards. You can find the complete Wizards schedule on page 29. The Springfield Demize have six more home games, have you made it out yet? Springfield SC U23 are offering a competitive club program for our young men now as well.

I’ll be holding watch parties throughout the summer at Coester’s, including give aways courtesy of the KC Wizards, as we take in some fantastic international soccer and Major League Soccer. How about a road trip to Kansas City? I’m thinking KC Wizards vs NY Red Bull on July 10th!

Unless we catch her on an amateur team over at Lake Country, or kicking it around on the Drury Campus, Katie Pritchard’s last soccer match was with her Waynesville Tiger’s teammates Tuesday in the loss to Lebanon. The video above is following the Catholic game Tuesday May 6th and the audio is affected by the wind. Regardless, I get the sense of a focused young woman, already prepared to handle the media as she now begins her quest for a National title with the Drury Panthers basketball team. Good luck and thanks Katie.

All-State Soccer - 3 years (likely 4)
All-State Basketball - 2 years
#2 Career scoring, Missouri Soccer - 171 (38 this season)

It took Catholic 60 minutes to score the winning goal against a stingy Liberator defense tonight in the class 1 district final. Tara Bailes scored the game winner with a penalty kick shot. The call and the goal took the momentum away from the Lady Liberators and Catholic was able to put in two more goals in the half to win 3-0. A tremendous effort from a young Bolivar team has the future looking bright for the Liberators. Bolivar finishes the season with a 14-7 record. Congrats ladies on a great season.

Update - Five minutes later Maddy Renner found the end of a Rachel Herron cross and knocked it inside the left post and Carsen Baron finished the scoring converting a pass from Anna DeLong in the 69th minute.

Catholic will face the winner of District 11 in the sectional match next Tuesday evening at 6:00 pm in Waynesville. Congratulations to all the girls on winning the district championship against a very inspired Bolivar squad.

Also congratulations to Tara Bailes on scoring the 100th goal of her career at SCHS. Watch!

Saturday in Willard it was as wild on the pitch as overhead

Willard Tigers - 4
McAuley Warriors - 1
story

Springfield Catholic - 18
Mt View Liberty Eagles - 0
18 goals is a state record for goals in a game and a half in girls soccer (page 340). The old record for a game was 17 twice by Rosati-Kain in 1986 and 1990

Bolivar Liberators - 3 (OT)
Greenwood Blue Jays - 2
For their second year, and the second straight time, the Jays are agonizingly close to advance. Last year a stoppage time goal by Patsy Middleton eliminated them. Remind me to attend all future District games!

West Plains Zizzers - 4
Marshfield Jays - 0
The Zizzers get their first District win since 2005

Monday:
#1 Catholic vs. #4 Willard - 5:00PM
#2 Bolivar vs. #3 West Plains - 7:00PM

In Penalty Kicks, the Springfield SC won 5-4 in 7 kicks. Captain Ryan Squires buried the 5th shot and the Fusz player put his shot over the crossbar, giving the defending Champions their second straight title. Goalkeeper Tommy Tombridge stopped two shots in the shootout, including the 5th won that could have won it for Fusz.

I got to the Complex early and the U16 game was 0-0 when Scott Gallagher loses their goalkeeper to a foul outside the box. A defender steps in, regulation ends and it goes to OT. I’ll let “Goalz” from the STLsoccer.net message board tell the story:

4 goals in overtime…first one was by a great Busch shot from Dominic Hewitt off a rebound. Then a 35 yard cannon from James Meyerkord leveled it up. After that Busch answers on a free-kick from outside the box by Joe Bettger that would surely put it away…

But the SG side showed resilience to come back from a goal in OT for a second time by getting a somewhat questionable PK for many Busch fans. Great run by the Gallagher player. Mike Yuede finished the PK…and the whole time gallagher was playing a man down with a field player in goal.

In PKs each team made all 5, but the SG keeper (a field player) made a lunging save on the 6th to give his team an advantage. The 6th SG player scored.

I’ve got a few photos from the game you can see here via slideshow

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

The second half saw Catholic put significant pressure on the Tigers, with the best opportunity coming in the 65th minute, only to see Crystal Hutchinson get her fingers on the shot from the right side, tipping the ball up and off the crossbar. The Tigers put the game away on a late corner kick, Lord putting one of her fine balls to the far post where midfielder Erica Combs rose to meet it (pictured). The Irish got within one in stoppage time when Natalie Smid put away the rebound of a shot deflected by Hutchinson on Maddy Renner’s cross. Renner was tireless Tuesday night, making run after run into the offensive end from her midfield position, with balls from Parker, Bailes, Smid and her sister Ronnie offering a regular attacking option.

Congratulations to Katie Pritchard on setting the Class 2 state record with her 168th and 169th career goals.
Photo Slideshow from the game Photos will follow tomorrow afternoon, I’ve got a business meeting in the morning I’m still preparing for.

Helias Crusaders - 3
Rolla Bulldogs - 2
Trailing 3-1 for most of the second half, RHS got a goal from sophomore Olivia Cox with 12 minutes to play and then pressured Helias for most of the time thereafter (via the Rolla Daily News)

Glendale Falcons - 5
Camdenton Lakers - 1.
Falcon’s get goals from Lorin Opfer, Katie Brewer, Emily Jordan, Jeni Frewin and Emily Cline. Megan Manzer scored for Camdenton.

Bolivar Liberators - 2
Marshfield Jays - 0
Freshman Jonna Welch scored a goal in each half for the Liberators.

Parkview Vikings - 2
Joplin Eagles - 1
Shelby Stewart got a pair for the Vikings, one in each half, bracketing Rachel Lazenby’s goal for Joplin.
Stewart’s game winner came in OT.

Ozark Tigers - 2
Lebanon Yellowjackets - 0
The Tigers got their x shutout of the season on the strength of goals by Alicia Collard and Megan Gunnels.

Willard Tigers - 1 (PKs)
Nixa Eagles - 0
The Tigers nipped the Eagles in a penalty kick shootout, 3-1

Greenwood Blue Jays - 2 (OT)
McAuley Warriors - 1
Maddie Esther, assisted by Shaylyn Boyle, scored in the second half to give the Jays the initial lead. The Warriors Sam Graham scored to tie the game with the Jay’s getting the OT golden goal from Liza Salisbury.

In addition, the Tigers completed a 9-0 run through the Ozark Conference this evening with their win over the Vikings. Glendale is their closest competitor, and shared the crown with them last year, but it is the Tigers alone at the top this season. Congratulations to Coach Josh Scott and his squad!

Springfield Catholic - 6
Bolivar Liberators - 0
The Liberators visited this evening and fought hard (that’s senior Lindsy Archer pictured) but were unable to break through the Irish defense. Tara Bailes, playing her first full match without her knee brace, led Catholic with three goals and an assist. Anna DeLong scored twice and Shelby Hatz once, while Natalie Smid had two assists and Emily Kessler had one.

The Liberators had a few good opportunities in the first half (while I was there), the best when freshman midfielder Izzy Mersch sent Archer into the box with a nice diagonal ball. Archer was able to find space in the box and get her shot off but freshman Rachel Scott reacted well to the ball and pulled it in. The rematch will likely be Wednesday May 14th in the District Final. Photo slideshow from the 1st Half.

Glendale Falcons - 2
Lebanon Yellowjackets - 1
The wind was blowing hard tonight but the Falcon’s didn’t let it disturb them as they rebounded from an early goal by the Yellowjackets, scoring two against the wind in the first half to eke out the victory over last years vanquishers. Lebanon got on the scoreboard in the 3rd minute when Hanna Winkel won a 50/50 ball in the offensive end and broke past the defense. She shot quickly and caught the keeper off the line and the ball just went in under the crossbar. The Falcon’s evened it in the 14th minute when the defense was caught napping on a corner kick by Jamie Bond. Lindsay Sprouse was unmarked in the box and one-timed her shot into the left side of the net.

In the 23rd minute, it was Karis Hefton who got the game-winner (pictured). She was sent into the box on a fine through ball by senior Megan Garrad, and despited being challenged as she entered the box, Hefton hammered a shot from the penalty spot that blew by the keeper into the roof of the net.

The second half was scoreless, as both goal keepers stepped up tonight. Abbey Roam for the Yellowjackets had to face a half dozen corners kicks as the Falcons used the wind and their speed to get into the corners but she didn’t back down, including one remarkable sequence that finished with her diving at Lou Opfer’s feet to finish it. Rachel Duckworth, for the Falcons, continues her on-the-job training with a flourish. In the 65th, Lebanon counter-attacked from a Glendale corner kick and sent Chelsey LeFors in on goal. Duckworth’s instincts were excellent, coming out quickly and diving for the ball. The rebound was sent back in quickly but somehow Rachel was able to get back up and make the final save, diving once again as the attacker tumbled over her in the box.

Both teams went about their jobs in workmanlike fashion tonight, saving the real intensity for the District playoffs I have to assume. Lebanon needs to show patience in the offensive end while trying to avoid giving up the corner kicks and fouls outside the box. The Falcons are going to have to improve their efficiency on set pieces if they want to avoid these close games. All of it bodes well for the spectators as the District 11 playoffs offer some excellent soccer. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t send a shout out to Lebanon’s Emily Boyer, their sophomore midfielder is out with mono. I missed her energy. Janell Glidden was a talented, physical presence in the middle and up top for the Yellowjackets and a new face for me. Welcome back to the game! Photo slideshow from the game.

Camdenton Lakers - 3 (PKs)
Joplin Eagles - 2
The Lady Lakers defeated Joplin in a penalty kick shootout. Camdenton led 1-0 early in the match when sophomore midfielder Jessica Smith received a pass across the mouth of the goal from senior Meg Manzer. The score stayed 1-0 until the second minute of the second half when Joplin scored on a free kick that got past senior goalie Krista Murphy. The 1-1 score held until 10 minutes left in the match when Manzer was fouled inside the penalty area and senior midfielder Blaire Baker scored on a penalty kick. With less than two minutes left in the match, a Camdenton foul inside the penalty area resulted in Joplin tying the match up 2-2, again via the penalty spot.

After two ten-minute over time periods, the match went to a pk shootout. It was Camdenton’s third of the season and Joplin’s first. The Lady Lakers won the shootout as all five of Camdenton’s shooters made their penalty kick. Camdenton’s Krista Murphy was able to stop Joplin’s third shooter on a diving save that was pushed off the right post and rolled back towards the shooter. Joplin’s fourth shooter scored on a penalty kick which left it up to Camdenton freshman Ashley Paschel to calmly step up and hit her first ever high school penalty kick which ensured a Camdenton victory 5-3.

Willard Tigers - 2
Central Bulldogs - 1

Kickapoo Chiefs - 9
Hillcrest Hornets - 1

Ozark Tigers - 6
Neosho Wildcats - 0
Three seniors scored goals for the Lady Tigers on Senior Night en route to the shutout over district opponent Neosho. Kristen Glaubitz got two, Erica Hogan got one as did Jessica Bush. Sophomore Megan Gunnels and sophomore Alicia Collard rounded out the scoring for Ozark.

Nixa Eagles - 4
Marshfield Jays - 1
In the first ten minutes of the game, the Lady Eagles had scored two goals; one by senior forward Stephanie Allen and one by freshman out-side midfielder Kelsey Bartell. Both goals exemplified Nixa’s renewed confidence and hunger for goals. The Lady Jays’ Ashley Honeycutt slipped behind the Nixa defense and slotted the ball into the net soon after. Allen got two more in the second half for her hat trick.

At least 30 girls had signed up to express an interest in the program, and most appeared to be on hand at the board meeting. “We support the proposal to add girls soccer,” he said. “Kids do better in school when they’re involved in activities. They do better in their studies and attendance, and they’re more likely to graduate.”

Reed after the meeting said that Carthage has had a boys soccer program since 1989. He said a first-year budget for the program will be between $20,000 and $25,000, a higher total the first year because of uniform purchases.

UPDATE - the Carthage Press chimes in with this additional tidbit

Carthage is entering the Central Ozark Conference (COC) next year and all but one school will have girls soccer – Webb City doesn’t have the sport and Republic will introduce it in the 2009-2010 school year.

In addition to soccer, the Ozark Tigers are out working to support hungry kids in Haiti.

Ozark Lady Tiger soccer players donated their time and energy on Thursday to help the Springfield organization Kids Against Hunger package food for children who are currently starving in the island nation of Haiti. The organization’s current goal is to package and send 100,000 meals to the children of Haiti.

Skyler Russell (pictured - Kickapoo Chiefs) has been playing for the Scott Gallagher U16 US Academy team and they just returned from a Florida tournament where they faced off against the US U16 National Team, losing 1-0. The Academy is the highest level of play in the country, designed to provide a model similar to the International Clubs that develop youth players for their adult teams. It has also been designated as the way USSF will identify future National Team players.

Just down the road in Joplin, Max Duncan (Joplin) has been traveling North to play for the KC Wizards Juniors who have just been accepted into the USSF Academy program beginning next year. Max’s U16 squad currently plays in the Midwest Regional League, in the First Division that includes the Springfield SC squad.

I’ll be back with Nick Schmitt’s article by dinner time. Game pictures have been posted.

Tom Davidson – A Family Man and a Man of Passion

Tom Davidson grew up in Colorado, Springs, CO. He played soccer in high school and his Dad was his coach. Tom played sweeper a little bit in high school. “I always preferred playing in the back. I liked watching the game. But he also played center midfield and forward. “It gave me a different perspective just being able to play all over the field.”

Tom played soccer at Missouri Southern from 1984-1988. In College the coach ended up playing a 4-3-3 and Tom ended up playing Left Forward. “I played with a guy that was the Center Forward that was at the time, our all-time leading scorer at Southern. His name was Mike Bryson and he taught me a lot about just how to play forward. What to do and where to go and that kind of stuff. We had pretty good Chemistry. That’s where I ended up playing, basically my whole career.” The next two seasons Davidson helped coach the team under the direction of Jack Spurlin and Scott Poertner. The spring of 1991 proved to be a very eventful one for Tom. He got engaged to his wife Missy and also graduated from Missouri Southern.

Although it was time for Tom to move on, Missy had another year left in college. But things worked out. The Head Soccer Coaching position came open at Kickapoo High School in Springfield. Tom was hired in June to become the second Head Soccer Coach at Kickapoo, taking over for Jose Florez who started the program in 1984. Things worked out great as Tom and Missy would be just an hour away.

I asked Tom, “What do you remember from your first year as a coach?”

“I think you come out and you really think that you kind of know quite a bit about the game and about kids and stuff and I don’t think you do. That first year, I had a real talented team. I had a couple of kids that went to Drury that year. Brett Ulrich who is now my assistant coach at Ozark, he played forward for us that year. He was a Senior. He went to Missouri Southern. We were very talented. We had a good goalkeeper. But my biggest challenge was the parents. I felt, ‘hey, I could run the show pretty well’ and they had been use to running the show. The challenge of breaking that cycle was probably my biggest challenge.”

“I just remember that first couple of games kind of having this preconceived notion in your head, how it was suppose to be. And it really wasn’t like that. Those are some of the things I remember. The District tournament that year was held at Lake Country and it was brutally cold. There were only 8 teams in the area (in Class 4A) so we had an 8-team District. And you seeded 1-8 and it was 5 Springfield Schools, Joplin, Carthage, and I think Neosho. We got seeded second and then made it to the Final and then lost to Glendale in the Final that very first year. They had a good team. That was Chris Hendricks and Ty Keisker. That was a good team, too (Glendale went to the Final 4 that year).

That rivalry, it was so great to be involved with all those years. It started right after that. I had a lot of good times. Mike Hines was with me that 1st year.

The success would continue for Davidson as he continued to build on the Kickapoo tradition. In 1995, his team captured the first of six District Titles under his leadership and advanced to the State Quarterfinal, losing just three games in the process. In 1996, however a very talented Chiefs team made history by reaching the Final Four and finishing in a tie for 3rd Place. Tom’s top memory from coaching came in 1996 in the State Quarterfinal against Columbia Hickman. “They had beat us 3 weeks earlier in the regular season. They had beaten us 5-0. So just overcoming all those odds, It’s still one of those classic moments. Us being up 2-0, and then them coming back and tying it. It went to 12 Penalty Kicks. I’ll never forget any of that. Kickapoo won the Penalty Kick Shootout 10-9.

Kiley Cirillo, Missouri Southern Lions Head Coach, was a Senior on the 1996 Kickapoo team. Kiley (pictured below at an MSSU game last Fall) shared these thoughts on Coach Davidson:

“I think that the best way to describe Coach D is Integrity and the courage to keep that integrity in the face of adversity. I can remember Coach D was always willing to choose truth over popularity. Coach D was always willing to teach mistakes and never discouraged making them as long as we could learn to take the lessons from them. He pushed us out of our comfort zones only to help us feel comfort there.

Coach has and continues to have a huge influence on my life. He is still there if I need him and I know that he will always be willing to listen and give advice, but he also is never afraid to tell me that he does not have the answer and that is one of the things I admire most. He is okay with not knowing it all.

I think he coaches to be a better man, person, friend, mentor, leader and failure and these are the choices that he has taught me to measure my life by. Thank you Coach Davidson and congratulations on your 500th win.

Although 1996 provided the best finish for his boys teams, that wasn’t the end all. In addition to making it to the Final Four in 1996, Davidson’s Chiefs won 8 Ozark Conference Championships, 6 District Championships, made 4 State Quarterfinal appearances and compiled a 265-105-41 record in 16 seasons.

As successful as the boys program was at Kickapoo under Davidson’s leadership, the girls program was even more successful. Tom began coaching the girls in 1995, when the Springfield schools began playing games against each other. In 1996, the teams started play under MSHSAA guidelines and began competing in District play. In 12 seasons of MSHSAA sanctioned play, Kickapoo reached the District Final every season and won 9 District Championships. Former Lady Chief, Kaysie Griffin, had this to say about her former leader:

“I played for Coach at Kickapoo High School from 1998 to 2001. I started Varsity for him all 4 years. I have had a ton of coaches in my day, by far Davidson is the best Coach I have ever had! He helped shape me not only as a player but as a person also. Its an honor to be his assistant coach at Ozark. I’m learning how to be a good Coach by the best coach in Missouri.”

In 2002, the Lady Chiefs matched the success of the boys with their own memorable State Quarterfinal on their own magical run to the Final Four. “The Girls Quarterfinal game in 2002 when we beat Rockwood Summit was just….. I remember turning to my assistant coach, Jena Knopf, and when the last whistle blew and I turned and I said ‘We’re going to the Final Four. I mean we’re going.’ It was just one of those surreal moments when just….even driving up there I remember thinking, ‘Keep the game close’. But our girls just played out of their minds that day. And then, we didn’t have a great experience when we got to the Final Four, but……”

As Head Coach of the Kickapoo girls program, Davidson lead the Lady Chiefs to a 217-67-22 record in 12 seasons including 6 Ozark Conference Championships, 9 District Championships, 3 State Quarterfinal appearances, and 1 trip to the Final Four..

Nick Schmitt: “What are some of your other top memories?”
Tom Davidson: “I remember several of the Glendale games. I’ll never forget Jack Jewsbury’s sophomore year which was that ’96 team. Glendale had beaten us 2 years previous (1994) in the
District Final and we ended up winning that game 2-0. Just played an outstanding game.”

Jack Jewsbury (pictured), who now plays for the Kansas City Wizards, offered these words about Coach Davidson and what he has meant to him:

“To me, Coach Davidson has not only been good coach on the field, but has also been a great friend off it. He is someone that has taken his passion for soccer and spread that love for the game to myself and all the kids that have passed through his programs. He continues to be successful no matter what challenges he faces and I want to congratulate him for reaching this amazing accomplishment.”

The spring of 2007 brought some news that came as a surprise to some people. Tom Davidson left Kickapoo High School to become the Head Soccer Coach at Ozark. “One of the reasons I moved to Ozark, my big reason was family. If anybody knows, I’m a big family man. That was the big reason was my family. I want to be able to say ‘ Hey. This guy was a well rounded guy. He didn’t neglect his family as he was doing all these things and helping so many people out.’

Although Tom has changed his colors and location, little else has changed. His first Tigers team finished 16-8-0. Entering his 30th season this spring, Tom has never had a losing season.

NS: “What do you think has made you successful as a coach?”
TD: “To me, I think I’m good to the kids. And I think I kind of figure out what makes them tick. I’m not a great motivator, I don’t think, but they trust me. I think that, especially with girls, that’s a big part of it. If they trust you, they’re gonna play hard for you. I’ve always felt like that’s what we’ve
done. We’ve always tried to treat kids fairly too. And I think kids really understand that. Parents don’t understand that sometimes. But kids understand that ‘Hey, he’s just trying to help me. He’s trying to treat me fairly.

NS: “When you first started, did you ever think you would win 500 games?”
TD: “No. I remember saying to somebody several years ago, ‘I’ll never be that guy that has coached for 20-25 years. At some point in time I’ll of just had enough.’ And now, I don’t see an end in sight. My son is in kindergarten and my goal is to at least get him to graduate high school 11-12 years
from now. But if I continue to enjoy what I’m doing, then I don’t see a reason to stop doing it unless I’m just completely neglecting my family.”

NS: “What does 500 victories mean to you?”
TD: “I obviously have been thinking about it a lot. I started really thinking about it this fall. Because when it became kind of a reality this fall, I really started thinking about it. I think it’s more than anything, it’s about all those kids that took what we had to offer and were successful with it. And all those great moments that I had with kids that we were able to achieve something together. And when I look back on it now, it’s all those battles we had with other coaches and other programs and some of those nights that you think that you got out-coached, but you still won the game. Or you out-coached the other guy and that was satisfying too. But I think more than anything, as I started reflecting on it this fall, I started reflecting on all the faces and all the people that had gone through my program for all those years, boys and girls.

NS: “Anything you want to say to the soccer community?”
TD: “Especially here in the Springfield area, we need to continue to grow the sport and continue to have more kids playing and more clubs come about. And include more of the area. Those things, we should be able to, our community, I’m talking about our whole…all the way down to where you guys are (West Plains) and everything, our whole community here in Southwest Missouri, should be able, there’s enough people living here now, that our sport should be able to have a few club teams. And have a
league, when the kids get to high school and not have to funnel everybody into one competitive league. Because in high school that waters down the high school programs if there’s less kids playing club ball. We’re to that point right now, where we should have lots of kids playing. I should here at Ozark. You should at West Plains and Mike (Howard) at Rolla and Mike (Gow) at Lebanon. Everybody should have 8 or 10 club players that are playing for them that are good players. We’re getting to the point where we’re growing where that’s a possibility. I would like to see that grow, because it only helps all of us.

NS: “Any thing we have missed?”
TD: ”To my wife Missy. All the success I have in my career is because you have always stood by me. It’s your unconditional love that has made me the man I am today. Your unwavering support has let me pursue one of my passions in life. Coaching has taught me many things about how to treat people and motivate them. I could not have done this without you helping along the way. You are my rock and I’m so thankful the Lord has put you on my TEAM. You and our family are my dreams come true.”

Tom. In writing this article, it has become quite obvious to me that you have meant as much to the people whose lives you have touched as they have meant to you. You have meant so much to this community and we are the better for you being here. Congratulations on 500 victories!
==================================
The story above is an abridged version of an in-depth interview that West Plains Coach, and History teacher, Nick Schmitt conducted with Tom Davidson earlier this month in anticipation of reaching 500 wins. The complete interview will be available as part of Schmitt’s book, tentatively titled “Pursuit of a Championship: The History of High School Soccer in Southwest Missouri” which he hopes to have available in the Spring of 2009. Thanks to Coach Schmitt for sharing it with my readers.

==========================

Mike Howard has come a long way. It all began for Howie, as a young boy growing up in the soccer-crazed town of Quincy, Illinois. In 1978, his family moved to Sedalia, Missouri. Mike attended Smith-Cotton High School where he was a three-year Varsity player. In 1984, Howie was a 1st Team All-District Defender for the Tigers, who became the first non-St. Louis School to reach the Final Four. The Tigers finished 4th in the State after losing to DeSmet in the State Semifinal and losing 4-2 to McCluer in the 3rd Place Game. In 1985, Howard was named as an All-State Defender as the Tigers defeated Joplin in a Sectional match before falling in the State Quarterfinals 4-3 to Vianney.

Howard didn’t have to go far to continue his playing career. For the next two years he starred as a defender for State Fair Community College in Sedalia. In 1986, Mike was named to the All-Midwest team. It was there that Howard’s playing career ended. He had a scholarship offer to play soccer at Benedictine College for John Senkosky, but decided to attend Central Missouri State University (now the University of Central Missouri).

In 1991, Mike was hired to coach soccer at Rolla High School. The boys program was just a year old. Larry Roth led the program to an 8-11-1 record in it’s inaugural season (1990). Mike’s pictured at left following the win Saturday at the new soccer facility that his teams now enjoy, one of the finest in the region.

In his first season as a Head Coach, Howard led the Bulldogs to an 8-10-2 record, one of only two losing seasons in his coaching career. Things began to change quickly. In 1992 Rolla improved it’s record to 13-5-1, but still failed to win a district game.

The 1993 season caught everybody by surprise. The Bulldogs won a district game for the first time. They didn’t stop there though. In the District Final, Rolla squared off against their rival, the Waynesville Tigers. The Bulldogs prevailed 5-1 to capture their first District Title. In the State Sectional Match, Rolla dispatched of the Joplin Eagles 3-1 and advanced to face the Jefferson City Jays in the Quarterfinals. It took Four Overtimes, but the victory went to the Bulldogs 2-1, and Rolla was on to the Final Four.

In the State Semifinal, Rolla met up with the DeSmet Spartans, a team that included current LA Galaxy player Chris Klein. The Spartans prevailed 1-0, but the Bulldogs showed very well. In the 3rd Place Game, Rolla faced off against Parkway South. Parkway South won 1-0. The Bulldogs had nothing to hang their heads about. Making it to the Final Four is an awesome feat for a program in just it’s fourth year.

One of Coach Howard’s top memories is: “Going to the Final Four obviously, in 1993 in my third year of coaching. Pretty much just dumb luck. We had some great kids, very good athletes and they were very mentally tough. They probably went to the Final Four in spite of me, I would say, to be honest with you.”

One of the stars of that team was All-State Forward, Mike Kiefer. Kiefer would later serve as an assistant coach at Rolla under Mike Howard. Mike Kiefer offered these thoughts on Coach Howard:

First of all I would like to congratulate Coach Howard on reaching the milestone. It says a ton about his dedication to remain at one school and to accumulate such an accomplishment. However, like all great coaches, Coach Howard’s success goes above and beyond the wins and losses that are achieved on the field.

I had the privilege of playing for Mike during his first three seasons at Rolla. Like many young coaches getting their first head coaching opportunity, he inherited a program that was not an ideal situation to say the least. Throughout the years he overcame the great challenge of building and molding a successful program that had only been in existence one year prior to his arrival. Like any coach that lacks head coaching experience, there were tough times early and mistakes that were made along the way (one of which was not playing me enough as a sophomore:)). In reality, our disappointing seasons in Mike’s first two years were not a reflection of his abilities as a coach. The problem was we were not a very talented or disciplined group. However to Coach’s credit he persevered, instilled some discipline into the program, and became a highly successful coach.

Like all outstanding coaches, Mike Howard leaves an impression on his players that often extends beyond the field of play.

The Bulldog program under Mike Howard has been very successful. In 17 seasons as Head Coach, Howard has compiled a record of 264-124-34, including a Team record 22 wins in 2002. During his tenure the Bulldogs have made it to the District Final 14 times (every year since 1993, except 2000) – coming out victorious ten times, made four State Quarterfinal appearances and one trip to the Final Four.

But that is only half of the story. In 1996, Rolla started a girls soccer program. That first year, the Lady Bulldogs posted a record of 14-6-0. It is the only season the they haven’t reach the District Final. In 1997, RHS made their first District Final appearance, losing in Overtime to Kickapoo.

The 1998 season was the beginning of a great streak for the Lady Bulldogs. Led by Three-time All-State selection, KC Williams (now KC Curler), and a Freshman named Anne Felts, Coach Howard and the RHS team won their first District title and reached the State Quarterfinals, something they would accomplish for four straight seasons. KC Curler not only played for Coach Howard during that time, but would later become an assistant under Howard. KC (pictured with current senior captain Kaitlyn Bramel following the Quarterfinal loss to Nerinx Hall in 2005) had this to say about him:

Coach Howard, is a superb coach. I have been fortunate to have played for him and coach with him. He takes pride in what he does and works hard and that shows in his teams. Congratulations Coach.

Top memories? “Coaching Anne Felts would have to be pretty high up there on my list.”

And Coach Howard is up there on her list to. Anne’s thoughts on her former Coach:

One of the reasons I think Coach Howard is such a great coach, is because he can dissect the game and make it understandable and doable for anyone. He has such a unique challenge in Rolla, where he coaches beginning players, three-sport athletes, and year-round soccer players, and he has the ability to form them into a successful team. He has something to offer to every player.

I find it really difficult to pick his best quality as a coach. He can gauge what his team needs, he knows what to bring to the team in all different situations.

For me, he helped me define myself as a player. He helped me realize my strengths, and taught me how I could exploit other team’s weaknesses. We always had fun - you play better when you’re having fun. Somehow he made running fitness fun…

It’s really hard for me to convey the magnitude of the impact he has had on me. He and his family are wonderful people to be around and be associated with. His players are incredibly lucky to have him for their coach.

NS: “Anything that we haven’t covered?”
MH: “My nice wife (Angie Howard). She’s been with me the whole time I’ve been here.”
Angie is pictured with Mike, again following the Quarterfinal game in 2005 at Waynesville.

I first met Mike Howard in the Fall of 1996 at our All-District meeting when I the Assistant Coach at West Plains. The next year I became the Head Coach at the ripe old age of 24. Over the years I have learned a lot from Mike Howard both directly and indirectly. He is humble in victory and gracious in defeat. We have shared some good times off the field and had some great games on the field. I am proud to call Mike Howard a friend. Congratulations Howie! I hope I have done you justice.

Dave already has a schedule with 14 games lined up for the Fall, including a weekend trip to Kansas City to take on Cole Camp and Smithton. He pointed to the trip as one of the numerous examples of the steps Branson is taking to embrace and support soccer. The enthusiasm from the community, including a large Hispanic contingent, ensures that he’ll have a good pool of players to work with from the beginning. The initial informational meetings have already happened and summer plans are also being put into place.

Home games will be played at the Jr High School, a bermuda/rye mix that has locker rooms, a press box and the other amenties that come with being the former home of the Pirates football team. The other great news is that there will now be an official Central Ozark Conference title chase to count on with the addition of Carthage, Nesho and Webb City as well as the Pirates.

I asked Nixa Eagles coach Evan Palmer (a former SMSU player) to share his thoughts on Dave:

I can’t give Dave enough praise. He has been a great assistant and will make a great head soccer coach. He already is a great head coach leading the Volley Eagles to a district title last fall. He takes great pride in what he does and will work hard to make Branson a contender. Branson is getting a great addition to their teaching and coaching staffs. Dave and Michelle (his wife) will be missed in the district.

Dave initially worked with the boys and the girls at Nixa but as Evan notes, he took over the volleyball team a few years ago which conflicted with the boys season. He’s been working with the girls soccer team for the entire period.

Dave will teach History at Branson along with his coaching responsibilities. He’s a 1981 Glendale graduate, where he played defense on the club soccer teams at Glendale before it became an official sport. He also played Rugby for SMS, something he picked up as an exchange student in South Africa in 1981, in addition to intramural soccer through college (became a mid-fielder and then a goalie). He continues to play one or two sessions a year in the over thirty indoor league at Lake Country Soccer.

Welcome and congratulations Dave!