University of Virginia Library

Speaking Out

The
Soccer
Coaches

By Ernest Dempsey

YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, I walked down to Carr's Hill
Field hoping to obtain various opinions, particularly from the
coaches, concerning the 1970 version of Virginia soccer. What I
saw was the first string working out beyond the North goalpost
and the second team scrimmaging with a scrappy Albemarle High
School club. Richard Lewis was dividing his attention between
the: scrimmage and a conversation with Tri-Captain Jay Connor
while Ian Falconer, bright red trousers and all, ran up and down
the field acting as a referee. As has been the case in the practices I
have attended, both men seemed to be enjoying themselves a
great deal.

THE ORIGINAL TITLE of this column was, On Soccer 1970.
Included in the gathering of scraps necessary to produce such a
piece of writing was a Tuesday evening telephone conversation
with fourth-yearman Dave Bowman, a halfback and Tri-Captain
of this year's soccer team. Dave and I reviewed several key
matches of the fall, talked about players, harped upon Maryland's
ethics, and concluded by discussing the efforts of two very
unique and likable men for whom Dave, a soft-spoken, yet very
articulate person, had nothing but praise. "Don't forget to credit
Lewis and Falconer," he said.

FOLLOWING GORDON BURRIS' appointment to the
Admissions Staff and new Head Coach James Stephens' illness,
which put him in the hospital, Business students Richard Lewis
and Ian Falconer moved up to become Co-Head soccer coaches.
Both Britishers, they have lent their time and talent to an
informal, yet unified group of soccer players who carry a 6-2-1
record into their final, regular season game with Clemson this
Sunday.

LIKE ALL MINOR UNIVERSITY SPORTS, soccer has had to
put up with many ills including second-hand equipment and a
donated Rugby field. Yet, Messrs. Lewis and Falconer feel that
such miseries have contributed to the team's unity. "These men
all share a common interest" says former Oxford University
Rugby Captain Lewis, "They all came out here at the end of the
summer to play soccer, without such fringe benefits as free meals,
etc." It is this type of dedication that has earned the two mentors
team respect and admiration.

BOTH MEN FEEL that soccer has great potential in this area,
particularly at the University. The coaches point out last year's
ACC Soccer Championship and this year's fine record as an
example of the predominantly European sport's mounting
attraction at Virginia. In addition, while giving the second
stringers an enjoyable workout, yesterday's scrimmage with
Albemarle was at the same time an effort on the part of the duo
to encourage soccer in predominantly football-oriented
Charlottesville.

MESSRS. LEWIS AND FALCONER will leave the University
upon completion of the academic year; the latter to enter the
business world perhaps abroad or possibly in the United States,
and the former to accept a fellowship for doctoral degree study in
India. Obviously, both men will have left an impact on Virginia's
soccer program as well as on the players they have so ably
coached.