ALITHSA Volunteer Recognition Program

Coach Jim McDonell - U14 Mixed Coach

ALITHSA would like to recognize U14 Mixed Coach Jim McDonell for his "above and beyond" volunteer work.

One of the nominations Jim received said:

"Coach McDonell always has an upbeat attitude. He puts up with the less than perfect personalities with subtle control and positive guidance. He has the patience of a saint and doesn't have a bad comment about anyone."

We took a few minutes of Jim's (pictured on right) time to get to know him a little better.

ALITHSA:

How long have you been involved in soccer and in what forms?

Jim:

I got involved with soccer when my son started playing U6. I like to tell the story that I was the assistant coach until one game day the coach told the team that he got a new job and one of the parents would have to step up to be the new coach. After the game my wife told me that the parents had “voted” me as the next coach! I said no way, I don’t have the time, but here I am four years later “still lovin’ it”!

ALITHSA:

What are the three top things for you as a coach?

Jim:

1 - Organization – I constantly look for better ways to coach the kids and coach the games. For me a lot of it has to do with being well prepared for practices and having a plan for the game.
2 - Teaching constant respect for all players – I teach the players to treat each other with respect regardless of size, ability or anything else. It is easier said than done, but they know that’s what I expect so in time it will rub off.
3 - Full Participation – Believe in yourself and don’t do things half way. Each kid has a “personal best” and I want them to work on improving their own abilities and understand that to be a team means to be able to play with all levels of players.

ALITHSA:

Can you tell us, for those that have players in other age groups, how to maintain the soccer interest up to your level?

Jim:

Having coached kids in U10 & U12 and now U14 the training focus has changed. Up to the U10 & U12 level the coach makes the practices fun and creative to keep the interest level high. There is a big change at U14, the kids show up to learn and work hard and the focus is more on creative ways to teach techniques.

ALITHSA:

Tell us about your most special soccer memory or event.

Jim:

I remember one game when I saw the kids “huddle up” before a kick off, they planned a new play and made it happen on the field. Wow, I was so proud of them, they were starting to think for themselves!! I’ll never forget a game when our goalie got bored and decided to bring the ball down the field, he almost scored a goal before the other team realized they could attack the goalie!!

ALITHSA:

How in your mind can we make soccer in ALITHSA as creative and fun as possible ?

Jim:

I believe we need more investment in the REC coaches. Most of us are dads who want to do our best for the kids and don’t know much about the art of coaching soccer. If there was a weekly “Coach the Coach” clinic I would sure go to it!! Making the coaches better would grow the kids, foster creativity, and make ALITHSA soccer more fun.

ALITHSA:

Anything special you would like to share with all of us in ALITHSA about being a volunteer?

Jim:

I would like to say thank you to ALITHSA, the parents and the kids. Coaching allows me to give back to the community and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

ALITHSA:

Thank you Jim!

If you know of any ALITHSA coach, asst. coach, team mom, referee or coordinator that goes above and beyond, please let us know about it. We want to regularly recognize those that stand out from the crowd.

Please send your nominations and the reason for the nomination to mvp@alithsa.org.

Home Page Recreational Program Travel Program Registration Parent Participation Rec Schedules Travel Schedules FAQ Medical Waiver Form Maps to Parks Incident Report Form Volunteer Recognition Referee Information The Laws of the Game ALITHSA Constitution Board Meeting Minutes Contact Us		ALITHSA Volunteer Recognition Program Coach Jim McDonell - U14 Mixed Coach ALITHSA would like to recognize U14 Mixed Coach Jim McDonell for his "above and beyond" volunteer work. One of the nominations Jim received said: "Coach McDonell always has an upbeat attitude. He puts up with the less than perfect personalities with subtle control and positive guidance. He has the patience of a saint and doesn't have a bad comment about anyone." We took a few minutes of Jim's (pictured on right) time to get to know him a little better. ALITHSA: How long have you been involved in soccer and in what forms? Jim: I got involved with soccer when my son started playing U6. I like to tell the story that I was the assistant coach until one game day the coach told the team that he got a new job and one of the parents would have to step up to be the new coach. After the game my wife told me that the parents had “voted” me as the next coach! I said no way, I don’t have the time, but here I am four years later “still lovin’ it”! ALITHSA: What are the three top things for you as a coach? Jim: 1 - Organization – I constantly look for better ways to coach the kids and coach the games. For me a lot of it has to do with being well prepared for practices and having a plan for the game. 2 - Teaching constant respect for all players – I teach the players to treat each other with respect regardless of size, ability or anything else. It is easier said than done, but they know that’s what I expect so in time it will rub off. 3 - Full Participation – Believe in yourself and don’t do things half way. Each kid has a “personal best” and I want them to work on improving their own abilities and understand that to be a team means to be able to play with all levels of players. ALITHSA: Can you tell us, for those that have players in other age groups, how to maintain the soccer interest up to your level? Jim: Having coached kids in U10 & U12 and now U14 the training focus has changed. Up to the U10 & U12 level the coach makes the practices fun and creative to keep the interest level high. There is a big change at U14, the kids show up to learn and work hard and the focus is more on creative ways to teach techniques. ALITHSA: Tell us about your most special soccer memory or event. Jim: I remember one game when I saw the kids “huddle up” before a kick off, they planned a new play and made it happen on the field. Wow, I was so proud of them, they were starting to think for themselves!! I’ll never forget a game when our goalie got bored and decided to bring the ball down the field, he almost scored a goal before the other team realized they could attack the goalie!! ALITHSA: How in your mind can we make soccer in ALITHSA as creative and fun as possible ? Jim: I believe we need more investment in the REC coaches. Most of us are dads who want to do our best for the kids and don’t know much about the art of coaching soccer. If there was a weekly “Coach the Coach” clinic I would sure go to it!! Making the coaches better would grow the kids, foster creativity, and make ALITHSA soccer more fun. ALITHSA: Anything special you would like to share with all of us in ALITHSA about being a volunteer? Jim: I would like to say thank you to ALITHSA, the parents and the kids. Coaching allows me to give back to the community and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. ALITHSA: Thank you Jim! If you know of any ALITHSA coach, asst. coach, team mom, referee or coordinator that goes above and beyond, please let us know about it. We want to regularly recognize those that stand out from the crowd. Please send your nominations and the reason for the nomination to mvp@alithsa.org.