Coach Newt,
As I drove to Charleston for club tryouts last night ,I pondered and thought about the past and the future for NorthMyrtle Beach soccer and our chief's. I am still in shock and naturally very concerned for our program and those players that will follow me after i graduate in 2010. your love and passion for soccer has been a feeder program for our school for many years, I think I have known you the longest because my brother was a chief too, Remember the SeaDogs? I know I sure do and I still have a program from one of the games. In a country that traditionally supports HighSchool football and there is nothing wrong with that ,you began a journey to introduce this great game called soccer to hundreds of kids , Some played in highschool and some did not . you and your family ran camps in the summer which you were kind enough to allow me to attend when I was only 6, you made soccer fun and from there you had us going to watch NCAA soccer final 4 games, pro matches and let's not forget Lundy camps . You started nmb united with the older kids and before I knew it my mom was coaching too. lot's of great memories with you helping and teaching all the way ! You taught us how to win with dignity and loose with grace. I owe you so much because you encouraged me to spread my wings with a club team , and because of you I tried out for ODP and have been a part of the 92"s for 4 years . You pushed me to better myself ,do the work and it will payoff you always told me. You were always tough on me , everything I got I had to earn by hard work and pleasing you meant something to me. you are a unique coach that is fair minded , giving everyone a shot at scoring goals or playing positionsout of our norm, As a striker I always wanted to score more goals ,but you taught me to be versitile and stable anywhere on the pitch. It takes all eleven of us to win a match not just the kid up top. Because of your encouragement I now have soccer friends all over the state and country. You really have been a father figure to many of us especially me ,cause I never really knew my dad at all. Thank you coach, for instilling in me the passion to do the work ,cause soccer really is for me the only game. The journey you sent me on has led me to meet many other of your friendsand coaches in thesoccer community who have also been role models and mentors in my life. You see Coach Newt, I always wanted to be like you . You are a great man and teacher . My only hope is that ourhighschool program will survive and the next coach will take us to all the preseason tourneys and palmetto cup. You made all these things happen for us ,we all know this . your hard work and dedication will always be remembered . My only hope is that maybe after some time off you will come back to us . Ps we will mow grass , get a bus driving license, line the fields, washuniforms,whatever it takes , We need you ,I don't know if I can be a chief without you!!
Alan "BOO" Gore # 3
