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Post by m on Feb 8, 2004 12:17:40 GMT -6
After all the craziness of this weekends playoff games with running up scores and fights between teams I thought some people might like to read this. This was on the front page of the Houma Courier's sport pages today. I'm just going to provide the title of the article and the link. If you like the title and want to read the article just click the link. FIGHTING CHANCE: After beating leukemia, Vandebilt’s Doria couldn’t wait to hit soccer field again and here's the link: www.houmatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040208/SPORTS/402080336/1032
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Post by Bish on Feb 8, 2004 12:37:23 GMT -6
awesome story
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Post by im4christ on Feb 8, 2004 13:54:47 GMT -6
Great story............Remember......... always feel blessed that you can play this game, when so many others don't have that same opportunity.
This is the type of story that always helps me to remember why I coach.
Courage and effort, that is what being a true sportsman (or sportswoman) is all about.
Continued blessings to all throughout the playoffs.
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Post by soccermom2 on Feb 9, 2004 8:35:30 GMT -6
Great story! Makes you remember not to take life or soccer too seriously.
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Post by llodfloo on Feb 9, 2004 16:04:10 GMT -6
i loved the story thanks for shareing it with us.
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Post by usasoccerboy on Feb 9, 2004 22:43:58 GMT -6
I have a few problems with this story. Let me explain a few things first.
I was Alberto's coach when he came down with Leukemia. We had played a tournament on the weekend before he was diagnosed and we won the tournament, therefore we had played 5 or 6 games in 3 days. Alberto probably played over %90 of that time and he didn't show any signs of fatigue beyond the usual tournament fatigue one gets by the championship game. Then on Monday we were supposedly scrimmaging the U13 Blackhawks. We were at the time the U14 Pheonix. Anyway, the Blackhawks show up with referees, and parents, and banners, and all kinds of stuff, and I am like, I thought this was a scrimmage.
So I started Raul at his usual wing defender position. During the first half, it was tense and they were pressuring our defense. At one point Raul, Albertos brother who played for the opposing team beat Alberto on a 1 on 1 and Alberto looked slow. Later, the Blackhawks scored on the opposite side of Alberto, and we were down 1-0 at halftime. I was talking to my team, and many of them wanted to beat the blackhawks. Alberto was lying on the ground exhausted, but not anything out of the ordinary, at least it didn't seem like he needed medical attention. Anyway, I asked Alberto why he let his brother beat him and he replied that he was tired. So, I said Ok and I sat him for the second half. I sat many starters and I played all of my scrubs and tried a player who never played goalie to give him a chance to be in goal. That player wanted to come out after letting in 2 or 3, but I made him play the whole second half. We lost something like 7-1, the second half was ugly, but I didn't care. I was resting starters who played 7 games in 4 days, and I was trying to give my backups a solid half of play. Well the decision to sit Alberto turned out to be the best decision I have ever made, because the next day, we were informed at practice that Alberto was done for the season.
We felt concerned for his health and did what we could. Now, to comment on Alberto's play before hand. He was very good to the end. Like I said, he played the whole tournament and was one of my standout players. Alberto's play is to me comparable to a Tony Sanneh type of player. You think he looks lanky and uncoordinated, but then you realise that nobody gets by him, and to me, his best attribute, is when he wins the ball and starts the counter attack. He is very adept at making a quick transition from defense to attack, and he knows how to start the attack.
Now, 2 years later, I had coached this team again, and in the fall season, Alberto would come and practice with us. I always invited extra players, friends or relatives to come and practice. Alberto made about half of them, and he would come and watch our games. At that point, I could see that Alberto's coordination and skills were reduced, but they were not forgotten. I knew he could get back to where he was if he just put the time in. After the high school break and at the beginning of the spring season, we had some roster spots open up, and Alberto was back on our team. I could see that he was happy to play again. He really enjoys playing. Oh and by the way, I never had one negative thing to say about him. He is a great person. About the only thing I probably told him was to remember to bring his shin guards or something like that.
Well that spring season, we were really cooking and we were winning. Alberto, however, at first was getting limited playing time. At first, his time seemed that he lost a lot, but as he played, I saw him get closer to the player he had been two years before. Still, we were a better team then, and we had many good players in front of him. At the end of the season, Alberto was close to being back to where he was. In fact, in the state quarters, we lost 2 guys to red cards, and it was very hot May day in Baton Rouge. We were down 2 players with over 60 minutes to play and many players were giving up because things were going bad for us. Not Alberto. I remember our defense fighting hard to play. We were up 1-0 before we went down 2 players and Alberto was back at his usually right back position. The opponents attack was relentless and Alberto and his fellow defenders were hanging in there. I remember Alberto winning a ball and taking it up the field as he was so inclined to do at 14, and he was creating shot oppurtunities from the back. I was very impressed with him that game. Well, we gave up the tying goal with less than 5 minutes to play, and we went to overtime. Alberto was stronger than ever, but eventually the pressure of being two down in the heat got to us and the other team scored a bunch, but not before we got one of our own and we wound up losing 4-2 in overtime. Our season was over. But I remember the play of Alberto and thinking how far he had come in that game and how he showed me he could play socceragain.
Now, I have a problem with that article and the coach saying he is not a good player. Maybe the coach is not a good coach. Alberto, may have had a set back, but that didn't stop him from regaining his form. Again, he is not the prettiest player to watch, but he is big, and he can really mix it up. I am glad he got to score a goal, but it only makes me wonder why he was playing at the top in the first place. Maybe they wanted him to get a special goal. Myself, I believed he could have done it without the charity. I am glad that he is getting recognized, but I don't feel the story does his play justice. As for saying he fainted, at no time did Alberto faint on the sideline. If that would have happened, he would have been rushed to the hospital. Our team mother and manager was a nurse, so I think if I wouldn't have noticed, she would have. I think back about that time he told me he was tired, and I imagine what would have happened if I would have tried to pressure him to get back in there. I am glad I didn't and I reflect back and tell myself that that was the best coaching move I ever made. Yet, I feel saddened that it was the tournament weekend that weakened him. So, to all of you coaches out there, remember this story, and maybe it will help you out. As for Alberto, keep playing, because like me, you love this game.
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Post by m on Feb 9, 2004 23:42:07 GMT -6
You need to re-read the article. At no time did Doug say in the article that Alberto wasn't a good player. What you are referring to is an apparent editorial comment by the writer of the article.
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Post by usasoccerboy on Feb 9, 2004 23:44:38 GMT -6
I am sure it is because the Courier are always saying things that were never said. Really, I am being serious when I say this.
The thing is, he didn't faint, and the fact that Doug says he is not showing it on the field and that he should stick to cross country gets me fired up a bit.
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Post by usasoccerboy on Feb 10, 2004 1:14:08 GMT -6
Maybe Doug was misquoted. I wouldn't be surprised if he was.
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Post by jbsoccer on Feb 10, 2004 18:21:07 GMT -6
All I know is I hope Vandy Wins State
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Post by usasoccerboy on Feb 10, 2004 18:21:55 GMT -6
So do I.
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