Vince.
Alright, so it took me a tad longer to get over this past soccer season than usual. But why wouldn’t it. I got to coach my oldest daughter on the Varsity Team for the last time. I got to coach my Seniors on the team for the last time…all 14 of them. I will miss all the players I don’t get to coach next season due to a new High School opening. I got to coach our program for the last time as one school one town, we call it…”One last time for the last time”. We also call it…”More than a game”. And that is what it is and was. But this little sketch is about another last…coaching with Vince. He is now retired from coaching soccer. I got to be part of his last season, and coaching career.
For the last 19 years Vince has been my “Rival” as we coached against each other, to my “Goal Keeper’s Coach”. Then my “Assistant Coach”, to my “Best Friend”, and eventually to my “Mentor “ and my “Brother” (in that order). We have been through laughter, blood, sickness, tears, joy, defeat and of course…victory! Coaching with you has been nothing but joy and success. I will never forget the times we had on the soccer field, on the bus, on the back of the truck….whatever and wherever (rain, shine or blizzard). You got to end the legacy of SPHS Girls Soccer with me. You have had your hand in the first Big 8 Conference Championship in school history for us. Now, onto the next. You get to ride into the sunset (whatever that means). Me….I get to start another Legacy. So thanks Vince for everything! I am going to love using your cones next season that are labeled in sharpie “Vincepad”. See you around brother. I will meet you in that sunset sometime…but not yet :)
