My passion as a player was largely driven by dreams. Personal success and satisfaction was the ultimate goal.  My motives as a coach are different. I want to see kids enjoying soccer. That is my desire. They should be learning and aspiring to reach the highest level that their ability, focus and opportunities will allow.

Soccer is such a vibrant sport that captivates a huge audience. I love the way it brings families together. It’s so inclusive and can be enjoyed by all.  The culture and carnival like atmosphere at many tournaments could be described as an art form and theatre.

I don’t believe that many sports can rival soccers pace and freedom. They instead often have too many rules and an over reliance on tactics. Thus losing a certain dynamism, energy and magic.

No other passion of mine can be enjoyed 24/7 on the street, back yard or college field. There is no need for expensive equipment, teams or referees. I was happiest when practicing soccer with my brother before, during and after school. My dad would join in too. I always wanted to make him proud of the way I played. I can vividly remember the first pair of boots he bought me – such an exciting moment!

Soccer will always play a powerful and emotional role in my life. It’s popularity and Universal appeal will continue to grow.  I will keep working hard to coach the next generation. This is the best way I can give something back to a sport that has provided me with so much.

——————–

Contest Rules

• Entries must be a unique and original story between 200-500 words with at least one picture
• Entries must be submitted electronically directly to AVID Soccer (Contest@avidsoccer.com)
• Entries should describe why the nominee meets the qualifications (self nominations are encouraged)
• There is no limit to the number of nominations, but each must be a unique and original story
• Entries must be received between April 1, 2011 and May 31, 2011
• Winners will be announced the week of June 21st
• The contest is open to US Residents over the age of 18; Youth entries must be submitted by a parent or guardian
• Employees and associates of AVID Soccer and their families are not eligible

AVID Player presented by Pele-Sports; Pele-Sports wants to reward your passion as a player with a prize package worth $400 (http://www.pele-sports.com/)

• “FUTEBOL BONITO” It’s Pelé Sports‘ mantra. Our identity, our philosophy, what our brand is all about. Futebol bonito means the beauty of the game. It honors Pelé’s beliefs and values. Futebol bonito means looking after your teammates, of caring for anyone who kicks a ball. And keeping fit and staying healthy means any player can enjoy the beautiful game more.  Futebol bonito means going back to the sport’s roots. To the street players, to the kids doing their thing on urban courts, dirt pitches, or any patch of ground. It’s football stripped down to its simple, straight-forward best: no frills, no fuss, no compromise: football that’s about free expression, just the way Pelé and the boys from Brazil played it.  Futebol bonito is about reclaiming the game – rediscovering the joy and love for football, feeling the way Pelé played. It’s what football is really all about.

AVID Fan presented by Calle Republic; Calle Republic wants you to look your best on the sideline with a prize package worth over $200 (http://www.callerepublic.com)

• Calle (KAI-yay) meaning “street” in Spanish – bears two massively iconic logos that you will soon see everywhere: The CALLE logotype and the Pigeon.  From Los Angeles to Barcelona, Sao Paolo to Seoul, every great city is filled with pegeons wandering the streets and living off tof the available.  Kinda like us…

AVID Coach presented by Select Sport; Select wants to reward the dedication of a coach (http://www.selectsportamerica.com/index.php)

• Select Sport is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of hand-sewn balls and produces approximately 2 million balls per year. SELECT is recognized as an innovator in quality balls and is represented by its own sales network and distributors that export to over 50 different nations. SELECT is credited with the invention of the first laceless soccer ball, the first 32 panel soccer ball, and the first waterproof soccer ball.  Our history of innovation and commitment to success has helped us become the Official Ball supplier to the Danish National Team, the Royal Belgian Football Association, as well several of the top leagues and clubs across Europe and Asia.

AVID Goalkeeper presented by Reusch; Reusch wants to protect the one who protects the net (http://www.reuschusa.com)

• In 1934, when Karl Reusch manufactured his first pair of gloves in a small workshop in Metzingen, he had a vision: to create incomparable, innovative gloves of the highest possible quality.  Since 1974 when Reusch designed the first soccer goalkeepers glove, They have been the premier brand for goalkeepers. They are world renowned for producing goalkeeper gloves with innovative foams, cuts and extraordinary fit. Reusch is first in innovative and patented designs that protect goalkeepers

The contest launches on April 1^st.  Look to AVID Soccer (http://www.avidsoccer.com)  for contest details.

This game has always been a part of me.  I was a one sport kid cutting every picture out of the Eurosport catalog and hanging it on my wall (especially the Americans).  Soccer was my passion growing up.  It was what defined me.  I can remember when calle [street soccer] first emerged in Utah, probably around my junior year of high school.  This was something that was perfectly in sync with my life philosophy.  My business is keeping the goal, but I have never been afraid to pull out the smooth rainbow on a defender in a street game, or nutmeg a striker trying to steal a goal on a back pass (ole’), or step up the spot and convert the 5th PK only to have the pressure of stopping the next shot for the win.  Nothing seems sweeter than duping players with my foot skill as they are outmaneuvered by the man with the gloves on.

Trying to think of a specific story that was my most exciting or most memorable moment is pretty tough.  Some of the stories that come to mind are:

• A run of great skill from my crew and I to the make final of the first annual Calle [Republic] tournament co-hosted by RSL, and miss out on being introduced at half time RSL game the next day
• Upsetting 3 #1 seeds in the state tournament senior year of HS to make the final; winning two of the games in shoot-outs
• Shutting out 5 straight victories to qualify for nationals in College and make it to the final 16 for the first time in school history only to loose 7-0 after a 1,690.45 mi bus ride. (that is right 1,690.45 I Map Quested it)

All great times; all memories I will carry for the rest of my life.  I am two weeks away from my soccer helping me pay for a college degree and facing the world without an organized team for the first time I can remember.  Soccer is just as much a part of me as it has ever been.  I will never stop!  Nothing can keep [me] from doing what I love.  I hope to have more heartbreaks and triumphs in the streets and on the pitch at every level of play.  NBD Never Back Down!!  GK UT=>NE  SLC=>OMA

• Know a dedicated coach?
  

  AVID Soccer Contest Sponsors

• Are you a rabid fan?
• Have you left everything on the field?
• Do you guard the net?

AVID Soccer has partnered with some of the biggest names in football to reward your dedication.   Write and tell us why you, or someone you know is a dedicated coach, faithful fan, committed player or  unshakable goalkeeper.  Nike, adidas, Calle Republic and Reusch want to join AVID Soccer and share your passion.

The rules are pretty basic:

• Entries must be a unique and original story between 200-500 words with at least one picture.
• Entries must be submitted electronically to AVID Soccer (Contest@avidsoccer.com) or added to the AVID Soccer
  Facebook discussion for the respective category.
• Entries should describe why someone meets the qualifications (write about yourself or anyone you know).
• There is no limit to the number of entries, but each must be a unique and original story.  Contestants can enter for each appropriate category, but can only win once.
• Entries must be received between March 29, 2010 and May 28, 2010.
• Winners will be announced the week of June 21st.
• The contest is open to US Residents over the age of 18. Youth entries must be submitted by a parent or guardian.  Some prizes may not be available in all sizes.
• All entries become the property of AVID Soccer.
• Winners will be selected by a committee and all decisions are final.
• Winners will be contacted by AVID Soccer for size and shipping information.
• Prizes will be shipped by the manufacturer four to six weeks later.

The Categories:

AVID Soccer Coach presented by Nike (http://www.nikesoccer.com)

The award honors a coach’s dedication to his/her players, organization and soccer. The selection committee will choose the story that represents this ideal. The winning selection will receive a pair of Nike’s amazing Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II boots valued at $400.

AVID Soccer Fan presented adidas (http://www.adidas.com/soccer)

The fan award pays tribute to the fanatical supports that keep the clubs and the press going. Tell the story of that pride and dedication. What better way to celebrate than with the $150 Jabulani ball (Zulu for celebrate).  It is the official ball for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

AVID Soccer Player presented by Calle Republic (http://www.callerepublic.com)

Players give their heart and soul to the game. Tell the story of a player who left it all on the field. Calle doesn’t just leave it on the field; they take it to the streets. They have put a package together valued around $150.

AVID Soccer Goalkeeper presented by Reusch (http://www.reuschusa.com)

The goalkeeper is the last line of defense and the first point of attach. No team can compete without a force in the net. Tell the story of that keeper and Reusch will give the winner a pair of their Magno Deluxe M1 Ortho-Tec professional gloves retailing for $150.