Sad and Tragic News

[CoachV]

I've been involved in coaching on the northshore for many years, and I learned last night that one of the finest soccer players to come out of the northshore area, Ned Welles, from Ponchatoula, died in an automobile accident late Saturday night in Hammond. He was 22 years old. I knew Ned and his Dad, Sparky, since Ned was playing U-10 soccer, and he went on to play Club ball and starred at Ponchatoula High. He played the last four years for Millsaps College in Jackson, and was and assistant coach for Millsaps while working on his Master's degree this year. He was also an outstanding referee who refereed locally every time he came home during holidays. Ned was as fine a young man as I've ever known. He was personable, kind, and polite off the field, and a fiery competitor on the field.
He will be terribly missed by his loving family and his many friends and teammates. May God be with you Ned.

Guys, please be extra careful, especially during these holidays!

Coach Hector
St. Paul's School

[thatsnotmuch]

that was sweet coach, ill say a prayer for him and his family

[cajunsoccerdad]

Ned was a fine young man and an outstanding referee. He represented both Ponchatoula and Louisiana soccer well at the collegiate level. He will be missed greatly and My prayers go out his family and friends.