Thanks given to JC soccer coach (11/02/05)

To the editor:

We, the parents of the JCHS boys varsity soccer team, would like to thank Coach Alan Bailey for an excellent season. With his guidance, the JCHS boys soccer team has had another winning season, 10-6-1. They have also won the Olympic Athletic Conference Championship for the first time since boys soccer was introduced at JCHS in 1994. Congratulations.

We want to also thank Coach Bailey for the many opportunities that he provides the soccer players. For example, this is the second year that Coach Bailey has organized a summer soccer camp with UK Elite Soccer or Challenger Sports British Soccer. These are camps that come to Jay County from England. There is not only a camp for the boys soccer teams, but also a separate camp for all of the elementary through eighth grade soccer players. In addition to organizing these camps, Alan and his wife, Toneta, open their home to some, if not all, of the trainers. This provides the trainers with a pleasant home environment while here in Jay County. Coach Bailey also offers the high school players the opportunity to continue to play soccer throughout the winter and spring in various clubs and leagues. And, of course, he provides open pitches in the summer.

These are just a few of the many opportunities that Coach Bailey offers to our sons that add to their experiences, skills, and knowledge of soccer.

We appreciate the many hours Coach Bailey spends dedicating himself to our sons and to the game of soccer. We know that he is involved at Jay County because of his love of not only the game of soccer and coaching, but also because of his enjoyment and dedication to the young men that play soccer for him.

We thank him for the countless hours that he spends preparing for practices and for games. We thank him for guiding our sons in the areas of teamwork, life skills, physical fitness, and soccer skills. Thanks for challenging our sons and for having high expectations of them. We know that as each boy graduates and goes on in life that they have had the opportunity to learn much about the challenges of losing, winning, and playing hard under the leadership of Coach Bailey.

In closing, thanks to Coach Steve Zielinski for his work with Coach Bailey, the soccer program and with the boys. Thanks to Toneta Bailey for all that she contributes to our team, the big and little things that she does to support and make the soccer season extra special for the young men who play on the team. Thanks to Roy Adams for his assistance and expertise with the injuries that the players sometimes develop. We would also like to thank Mr. Phil Ford for his work with the soccer team, Dr. Barwick and Mrs. Downing for their support of the team, and the Jay County School Board for hiring, year after year, such a great coach for our soccer team.

To Alan: “OAC Champs! We couldn’t have done it without you!”

Sincerely,

Wayde and Kim Mills, Kevin and Diane McClung, Don and Sherri Ainsworth, Roy and Debbie Adams, Rob and Susan Moser, Ed and Linda Wellman, Joe and Shelly May, Jean Ann Poole, David Poole, Brett and Jean Darby, Rick and Linda Shreve, Jeff and Alice Budde, Diana Allison, Bruce and Sue Ann McLaughlin, Jim and Alice Bruggeman, Ed and Valerie Laux, Dr. Tom and Rita Dunn, Maria Garringer and Todd and Joni Penrod[[In-content Ad]]