The following article in tribute of the late Eddie Leigh was submitted by Ben Winderman.
Eddie Leigh
A Player’s Coach in Our Corner - A Soccer Saint in our Smiles
By Ben Winderman
Soccer at any level is impractical, unscripted, and unpredictable. It is soccer’s spontaneity that makes it irresistible. The high school game is often criticized by soccer enthusiasts for its frenetic and reckless pace. It is said, therefore, to lack artistry and elegance. Coach Eddie Leigh taught so many players to focus on what the game, at any level, is able to give. His enthusiasm was contagious and because he gave himself, he taught others how to do the same.
Generosity is learned, and as we mourn the loss of this wonderful coach, we simultaneously promise the spirit of giving. Ed Leigh was a “player’s coach.” The consequence of that is that players would stay on Ed’s teams.
“We loved him,” said his players collectively, and they all did. In fact, they loved him so much that they refused to leave. Imagine that if the heart of hyper migration in search of the next and the latest Eddie Leigh found a way to remain the here and the now. People like Walt Bahr, John Oberholtzer, Hal Heffelfinger, Stanley MacFarlane, Joe Guerreros, Eddie Leigh, George Todt, Mike Barr, Randy Garber, Mike Gorni, Paul Duddy, Dave MacWilliams, Stuart Malcolm, Bobby Wilkinson, Terry Underkoffler, Tom Quintois, Mike Koch and so many unmentioned here have cultivated an incredible community of teammates, players, player’s parents, fans,colleagues, competitors, and comrades. Most importantly players.
Here with Maddy Evans from Coach Leigh’s 2009 National Championship Vipers
Eddie was inventive in a creative and consistent way. His fundamental belief, however, was based upon the idea that certain kids love to play soccer, and other kids adore it. Therefore and predictably, Eddie's goal for any practice was to “get to the fun part.” If you’ve heard the phrase “the game is the greatest teacher” then you have been invited to learn soccer in the best possible way.
Eddie was quick to win over legendary coach Walt Bahr at Frankford, and after completing a very successful collegiate career, Ed went into coaching; but make no mistake, being a “player's coach" means that you play with the kids at practice. That was what Eddie not only taught so many coaches, but in a sense, he gave us permission.
Jason Zielke Albert’s oldest son...player!
For many years, I coached a team with my close friend Albert Zielke at the Ukrainian Club. It was through Albert that an old phrase started to emerge: “Who’s ready to play…” repeating the idea. I heard it at Penn State Soccer Camp. Coach Bahr gathered us all on the fields by the open tractor trailer. He looked around at his staff of current and recent PSU players and announced that all of them were completely unnecessary!
I remember Jerry Moyer laughing, so i laughed too. Then Coach Bahr gave us all a can of cool Coke, imagine, and invited us back to PLAY night soccer matches. We actually went early to watch the “coach’s game,”
Later that summer I made my mom buy me packs of solid grey t-shirts. Occasionally, I’d splash water on the collar to resemble sweat - that would make me look so something. I got it and I love it; that I was in the right place, playing soccer, coaching, watching it, talking about it at the UGH bar, dressing it, living it, and believing in soccer. When Coach Bahr said the next night befor our Coke break that it “never rains on a soccer field,” I accepted his statement without skepticism. I’m not sure if Eddie used that one or not. Obie would know. “Speed up so that you can slow down,” “Okay then let’s get em playing.”
Mike Koch’s 2013 State Championship TSC team that Eddie trained.
Years later I met Ed at an EPYSA Soccer Camp and you can imagine the first thing he said. But Eddie patted his own chest and smiled, “You don’t need me,” he insisted. You only need the game, the game is our greatest coach,” he paused and lowered himself from above. “Who wants to play?”
It didn’t work for players because of repetition, nor was it solely effective for its truth; it worked because Eddie said it, he believed it, and he was in - every way - sincere, believable, and beloved.
“We loved him," said both Tori Adlam and Ramsey McMennemin, two staples from that historic squad. I have spoken with so many people today who have echoed an affectionate sentiment. Marykate Bateman, a player on the 2013 State Title Team (shown above) continues her soccer career at the professional level for the French team (HAC) Havre Athletic Club today and eagerly credited Coach Leigh. “I cannot imagine anyone who has made a more positive impact on Philadelphia soccer,” Bateman said. “He let us all fulfill our goals and took the time to connect with us on a personal level. He was more concerned with character than our play.”
Cindy Knecht Pierce and husband Dan Mannella
I’m not sure how to explain the phenomenon of incongruence, but this soccer community is simultaneously intimate and enormous. Dan Mannella is the current director of coaching at FC Bucks, an assistant coach at Lasalle, and along with Dan’s wife, described Eddie Leigh as a “proud papa" watching his daughter for St Joe’s, and later becoming the primary architect for the advancement of the women’s game in this area.
“He made everyone he coached better,” Mannella said. “It didn’t matter the level - Eddie Leigh was going to make you a better player and person.”
Cindy and Dan have been instrumental in the process of elevating of women’s soccer in our area.
“Eddie is responsible for bringing us ECNL,” which provides a pinnacle for our growth. "Still,” Dan laughs, “It’s often about just getting them playing."
Mike Koch the Head Coach for Quakertown Women’s Soccer posted these words about Coach Eddie Leigh:
“The soccer community lost one of the true icons of the game. Eddie Leigh has influenced so many players and coaches and leaves a legacy that will be passed down for generations. Ed was the most unassuming person, never bragging about his accomplishments, but always willing to help everyone. He has grown the game he loved and developed players on the field and in life. I am thankful for the opportunity to coach with Ed and the lessons I learned from him. The quality of the women's game today is a reflection of Eddie and a select few others that blazed the trail. Prayers to his family on the loss of this great man.”
Coach Koch described walking across the Disney complex with Coach Leigh and watching 35-40 of the best collegiate coaches in the country running over to Eddie to say hi and shake his hand.
https://www.gofundme.com/Eddie-Leigh
Coach Leigh taught many people how to play, and most of them will tell you that they’re extremely thankful for that. Eddie Leigh learned the game well down at Lighthouse and taught it even better. But many if not all of those same people insist that what he gave them was much more significant that what he taught.
“Eddie issued invitations to improve for players of every imaginable ability," Dan Mannella explained, "He’d always make each player better.”
Eddie Leigh insisted that the soccer pitch was a place for giving not goading, respect and not “gamesmanship.” Glory, Ed understood, comes and goes, but friendship gives us an immortal immortal promise. This is about your old teammates or the people you have coached with. Soccer creates a sense of permanence, which I believe Eddie Leigh’s smile represents.
Or go further. Ask any of Eddie Leigh’s colleagues and competitors, disciples and divas, destroyers and Explorers, Eddie Leigh was a man of his word. Let’s honor Coach Leigh with some great practices (or games) this afternoon, get through the drills so they can get playing.
In honor of Ed momentarily forget the color of your kit and the address of your field. Your shirts should be grey anyway. Remember that an opponent is not an enemy, if not for their willingness to class, there would be no one to play, and real players always wanna play. Know that passion, all teammates, friends, and siblings in soccer. Here are a few pictures from an exciting week!
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