Memorial fund for Ukrainian soccer coach continues to grow (03/08/98)

Memorial fund for Ukrainian soccer coach continues to grow

by Lisa Popyk

CINCINNATI - It began three years ago, as a humble effort to preserve the spirit and dream of a Ukrainian-born soccer coach whose life was the game he loved.

Today, the Walt Chyzowych Memorial Award is quickly becoming one of the most coveted and respected awards in American soccer. And the Walt Chyzowych Memorial Fund, created simultaneously, is now a national endowment that offers free soccer training to those who can't afford formal coaching and has grown to include volunteer athletes and coaches from across the county.

"We never expected this kind of national response and support. Both programs have taken off faster and grown beyond what any of us ever expected," said Ihor Chyzowych of Philadelphia, who helped found the programs in honor of his late brother and serves as president of the Tryzub sports association in Philadelphia. "I guess none of us really understood what Walter meant to the game until now."

Walter Chyzowych, who died of a heart attack in 1994, was and still is considered by his peers to be a "legend in his own time." Born in western Ukraine to a soccer club owner, Mr. Chyzowych emigrated with his family in 1944. He went on to forever change the game of soccer in the United States. Last year, he was inducted posthumously into the National Soccer Hall of Fame and the year before, into the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame.

A player and coach for several U.S. and international teams, Mr. Chyzowych led the U.S. National Team for seven seasons and served as head coach for the U.S. Olympic Team. He also was instrumental in defining the system of coaching and coach licensing in the United States. He served for 10 years as the director of coaching for the United States Soccer Federation.

His sudden death jolted the soccer community, nationally and internationally.

Almost immediately, friends and family established the award and memorial. The goal was to continue the work to which Walt Chyzowych had dedicated his life - advancing the game, improving the level of coaching, and helping the popularity of soccer grow in this country. His older brothers, Ihor and Gene, of South Orange, N.J., founded the effort. Within months, the award and memorial had been adopted by some of the country's top soccer players and coaches.

The fund was designed in hopes of organizing Walter Chyzowych's fellow coaches into a network of volunteers who would help run soccer clinics across the country, said Gene Chyzowych, who is ranked as the nation's third most winning high school soccer coach. He coaches Columbia High School in Maplewood, N.J.

All proceeds from the clinics would go to the fund, which would then provide scholarships to disadvantaged players and coaches seeking advanced training.

"We really didn't know how well it would work because we were asking for, and depending on, a lot of commitment and time from some very busy people," said Dr. Joseph A. Machnik, executive director of the fund and assistant to the commissioner of Major League Soccer.

The first year began with an advertisement for one small clinic to be held at the College of Charleston under the leadership and guidance of head soccer coach, Ralf Lundy. When word spread through the soccer community about the fund, coaches from some of the top professional, collegiate and national teams all over the country began calling to volunteer their time. A total of 40 coaches volunteered that year to instruct 150 players and coaches.

This year the program will hold eight clinics in the East the Midwest, with more than 1,500 youth and coaches expected to participate. More than 50 percent of the participants are underprivileged and will receive their training for free.

"We're all amazed by the support the program has been getting. But what's even more amazing is the number of youth players the program is helping," said Ihor Walter Chyzowych, a state and select-team soccer coach in Cincinnati, who is a nephew of Walter Chyzowych. "Some of the kids may only see it as a chance to learn a new sport. But others might use soccer to win college scholarships. And maybe some will go on to change the sport forever, like Walt did."

The Walt Chyzowych Memorial Award, given for life time achievement and dedication to advancing the game, has grown just as quickly. The National Soccer Coaches Association of America considers it one of the top soccer awards. And previous winners, all highly decorated, say it is their most cherished honor. When this year's recipient was honored at the NSCAA's 51st annual convention in Cincinnati, some of the top soccer names in the nation left no standing room when they gathered to watch and to listen.

"To me, to all of us really, this is the best of honors," said the 1998 recipient, Bill Killen, head coach of men's soccer at MacMurray College. "Even those who didn't know Walter knew of his legacy and his dedication to soccer, coaching and to his players - no other person or group of people have made more of an impact on the development of soccer in the United States."

Mr. Killen, who has been instrumental in sculpting the future of U.S. soccer, has served as head coach for nine collegiate programs, helping many complete their best seasons ever. He also has served on and directed several national programs for coaching and youth development.

In 1996, the award's first year, it was presented to Jerry Yeagley, head coach of the Indiana University men's soccer program. Under Mr. Yeagley, Indiana has won more games than any other school.

Last year's winner was Anson Dorrance, head coach of the University of North Carolina women's soccer team and former head coach of the 1991 World Cup Champions, the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team. Under Mr. Dorrance, the Carolina team has won 14 of the 17 national women's championships; nine of the 10 Atlantic Coast Conferences; and 13 NCAA crowns.

The Memorial Award has been reserved for the nation's best. And the best say they couldn't be more honored.

"No other award will ever mean as much," Mr. Killen said. "To be honored in Walt's name is something I'll cherish forever."