Spring of '99

I've kept this in a box for ten years. It has survived 8 moves with me, and countless reads. This has served as inspiration for me so very often. It is a true story... one which I think of often and look back on fondly. Thanks, Wilhelm, for providing me with motivation... still.

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1999 Girls Soccer Poem

By: Coach Ron Wilhelm

Just a few little words for these ladies of mine.

So prop up your feet, as I commence my rhyme.

I will start at the beginning, when I was first offered this position.

Coaching girls in sports was against my intuition.

How could I relate, I was this macho man.

What did I know about make-up, or artificial tans.

I heard we had some talent, a team with a lot of spark.

And a halfway decent forward, by the name of Debbie Stark.

So I said what the heck, I will give this thing a try.

I could appreciate plumeria lotion, just like any other guy.

I mean I have a 3 year old girl; this could help me my wife would say.

I could reach my feminine side, Yeah, ok… anyway!

So it is the first day of practice, and I could see the fear in their eyes.

They had heard horror stories from some Northwest soccer guys.

Could these girls be pushed, or would they buckle at the knees?

What transpired next would shock this coach indeed.

I had them crawling in mud, and running up steep hills.

Doing pushups and sit ups, just to test their will.

I even made them carry girls upon their backs.

But these ladies would not break, for guts they did not lack.

After a tough three weeks, we were ready for our first game.

It was at home against Fox, and we put them to shame.

Right then I knew this season would be great.

Not just in our record, but in the memories we would create,

Speaking of memories, I would like to share a few.

I wonder parents if you know, just what your girls do.

The first involves Kristen, the leading clown on the team.

She decided to flash some girls, if you know what I mean.

But it was not just the girls, who saw Kristen in the light.

A one Matt Stichling, had his eyes fixed on the sight.

The second memory involves, coach Amwary himself.

I wonder if he picks his outfits, from the male or female shelf.

He came to practice one day, with cute ruffly socks.

Not the kind worn by, tough masculine jocks.

As you can imagine, the girls had a field day with that.

They picked on everything worn, by this cool dressing cat.

I must admit coaching girls, brought something new every day.

Especially on the bus rides for the games that were away.

Girls and guys prepare differently, on the rides to the game.

Guys bang their heads, until they go about insane.

Girls get out their mirrors, put make up on their face.

Take out their combs, to make sure every hair is in place.

They lotion up their skin, take out perfume to spray.

Put on lipstick and eyeliner, now they are ready to play.

They step onto the field, and put on a new face.

One that says, “I am getting that ball, so you best get out of the way.”

Their competitive spirit, is better than any guys team I have known.

They have got so much heart and guts, they are just bad to the bone.

Our regular season was outstanding, with only one misstep along the way.

A loss against Seckman, in our Senior’s last home game.

This loss would prove to be, the best thing for this team.

We had to get refocused, if we were to fulfill our dream.

So, it was back to the drawing board, and back to the hills.

It was suicide sprints, and a test of their will.

How would they respond, when put to the test.

I will tell you what we got, Northwest’s best team yet!

We rolled off five straight wins, and it was now district time.

I felt sorry for our opponent, because it was our turn to shine.

First it was Fox, who thought they could compete.

Until Mandy buried a goal, and ensured their defeat.

Next it was Seckman, who had given us a loss.

But now it was our turn, to show them who was boss.

It only took one minute, to shut up the Jaguar’s team.

That whole game was turning out, just like I had dreamed.

Before you knew it we had victory, the score was four to one.

Seckman was out there crying, while the Lions were having fun.

We had finally won district, after a very long drought.

This, I was thinking, is what sports is all about.

It was also about motivation, and I did my share.

I was soon was transformed, into a stud with blonde hair.

Northwest was on the way, and we were not done with our dance.

But if you read the papers, we did not stand a chance.

They all called us underdogs, we did not have a prayer in the world.

One small, small problem: they forgot to tell our girls.

The girls knew they would be ready, to come out and play.

But, just for safe measure, we thought we should pray.

So Holly led us in prayer, and it was time to take the field.

This was the State tournament; let us see who was real.

After 80 minutes of soccer, there still was no score.

It was now into overtime, could our girls give anymore?

You could throw out skill, it was now about the guts.

It was time to take names, and start kicking butt.

It was one overtime, two overtimes, three overtimes and then four.

120 minutes of soccer, and still, a 0-0 score.

What transpired next, was to be my greatest coaching thrill.

A gut wrenching moment in sports, the ultimate test of will.

It is called penalty kicks, and the pressure is unreal.

I started talking to God, “Hey, let’s make a deal.”

But, it was Hazelwood who was, nervous as Janelle moved in the net.

She was psyching out the Hawks, who were beading up with sweat.

Their first shot went over, and it was Debbie’s turn to score.

I was very confident; she had done this, oh, 43 times before.

Next was Mandy K, our senior leader was set.

Before the keeper could move, the ball was in the net.

Next was Janelle, in my opinion, keeper of the year.

This girl is all heart, she knows no fear.

She very calmly walked up, and then tickled the twine.

Yes, Janelle Simpson, it was your turn to shine.

Our fourth kicker was Brooks; a little nervous, no a lot!

But, you could never tell, by the way she buried her shot.

It was four kickers up, and four shots made.

Come on Janelle, just one more to save!

And what a save it was, history was made.

Yes, Lady Lions, this memory will never fade.

Northwest was now, one of the best in the state.

We were now in the quarterfinals, among the elite eight.

I was so proud of these girls, and not just one or two.

It was a whole team effort that helped see this through.

As far as individuals, where do I begin?

Maybe my freshman sweeper, Amanda, who could stop a truck from going in.

What can you say about Debbie? Coaching her was a dream.

She is simply the finest athlete this state has ever seen.

But, she is much more than that, as most of you know for sure.

I can only hope my daughter; can grow to be like her.

And to Mandy, Janelle, Jessie and Amber G…

To Holly, Amanda, and to Carrie Girse.

Thank you, thank you, for all that you have done.

You special seniors, really make coaching fun.

And no I have not forgotten Kristen Riff’s special part.

You see she holds a place, very close to my heart.

She suffered a broken leg, a couple years ago.

And there is something about her that I want you to know.

She ran all our sprints, and all of our hills.

She never copped out on any of our drills.

She did not play much, but there is no shame.

She deserves a spot in our soccer hall of fame.

In my parting words to the seniors, you better come visit next year.

For although you may be gone, you are always welcome here.

A greater team, a greater season, I don’t think I will ever find.

Let us never forget just how magical, was the spring of ’99.