By Gary Curreri
A teary-eyed Lisa McConnell spoke to her McLaughlin Morris Law Warriors team and their parents following a tough loss in the Tom Cherubin Cup semifinals.
She individually spoke highly of every player on the team. As she got closer to the final player, her eyes grew misty, and her voice cracked. Her emotions showed how much she cared for every player.
As has been the case for her nine years with SABR as a volunteer coach, the payoff is watching the players improve; seeing the smiles on their faces, and most of all seeing players she has coached throughout the years, now on opposing teams, come up and share moments with her.
“I get to come out here after nine years and there isn’t an opponent who doesn’t have a handful of girls that I have had the privilege of coaching at some point, and they all give me hugs, high fives, and fist bumps,” McConnell said. “That means the most because you know you made an impression and a positive impact on somebody.”
It was no surprise that after she addressed her parents and thanked them for their commitment and support, SABR GU15 Division Rep Brian Scanlon presented McConnell with the Coach of the Year Award. It is her second COY award in the past four years.
“I can’t believe it,” McConnell said. “I am so honored.
Admittedly, when McConnell said, “Yes” to coaching SABR almost a decade ago, she was a relative novice. After playing college softball at the University of Maryland she started her two daughters Julie and Allison in SABR.
“It’s been very rewarding,” McConnell said. “The experience with the girls and the relationships. Obviously, I don’t bring tremendous soccer skills and talent to the game, but my strengths are with different balls, having played college softball. My journey in team sports is a lifetime.
“To be able to continue coaching sports and team to players and the values that go beyond the game of soccer itself and the technical skills,” she continued, “It’s very rewarding when the girls make a connection. We do our training and the leadership and support of (SABR Recreational Director of Coaching) Carrie Barker. She is amazing in developing a program and a structure for the coaches. I am a big fan of the goal to have these kids keep coming back, year after year.”
Scanlon said McConnell has all of the attributes of a great coach.
“Lisa is a true asset to our club,” said Scanlon, who has been with SABR for eight years. “She is not only respected here by the people who know and love her…We not only love her for her soccer acumen but her connectivity to her players.
“Her investment is unreal,” he continued. “The McConnell family has two daughters, so you have to take time away from your own family to invest in coaching. Her dedication is uncanny, not only raising two daughters, but she is here for every practice, working a full-time job and she’s here for every game. She’s motivational, inspirational and we all love her.”
Upon moving from Montreal to Boca Raton two years ago, Stephane Azoulay and his family registered their daughter Aaliyah for SABR. He said a friend, who also has children playing in the league, recommended he register her.
“We joined the league, and we were lucky enough to have coach McConnell,” Azoulay said. “She has amazing character and really brought out the best in Aaliyah. She was very deserving of the recognition.”
Aaliyah was also recognized by McConnell and was awarded the Tom Cup coin, which goes to the player child on the team that presents the values that Tom Cherubin supported — love of the game, good sportsmanship, leadership, camaraderie, attendance, and it doesn’t have to be the best player, but it has to be the best teammate. In late February 1998 – just before the end of the 1997-98 recreational season – then SABR President Tom Cherubin passed away from a heart attack.
“I like to be aggressive, get the ball, and have fun,” Aaliyah said. “I have learned to be more aggressive and when to pass and when to shoot.”
Azoulay, 13, said it has also benefitted her off the field.
“It has pushed me to get my homework done faster, so I can work on my soccer,” she said. “Coach Lisa was very nice. She pushed us harder to do well and she definitely helped me improve my skills. I was really happy about the coin. I didn’t expect it, but I worked hard, and I guess I earned it.”
Former SABR, Team Boca player also giving back
SABR Girls Under-10 coach Jill Robbe Smith knows what family all is about. After being coached by Dave Robbe in both SABR and Boca Raton High School, where he was an assistant coach. She tabbed him to coach her daughters when they were younger and then jumped in two years ago and has been their coach ever since.
“I wanted Dad to coach her first, so she got initial coaching from someone other than me and then I took over,” said Smith, who coaches Promo and Sourcing. She started in the SABR recreational program and played there until moving on to Team Boca, where she played from U12s to U18s. She graduated from Boca High in 1999.
“SABR it is amazing,” added Smith, who is an attorney. “My dad was my coach. It was the best experience for my dad to coach me, and we did win a championship, and now being able to coach both of my daughters is something I could only dream of. I am very lucky to have SABR still here and it is a generational experience for me.”
Dad is still around and will even offer tips to his daughter and granddaughters following the games. Jill said that her assistant Robbie Fennell has been with her for about four years and has helped because they have the same mindset.
“It is really special,” she said. “My dad coached me, and he’s coached my daughters. My dad is at every game, and he wants to add in his two cents, and I tell him, ‘Dad, I got this.’ I retired him from coaching my daughters about two years ago. We are a very close family. He is always involved, and it is really a special experience.”
Smith said she recalls all of her teachers and all of her coaches who have helped shape her into the person she is today. She tries to pass that philosophy along to her players.
“I take great pride coaching because I think with every coach or every teacher you have had, they pass little drops along the way that help you become who you are as a person,” Smith continued. “It really means a lot to be coaching these kids.
“I want to instill confidence,” Smith explained. “Obviously, we teach them the game. We really do. I want them to leave our team knowing a little more soccer than the first came in and I want them to have fun. I want to create a positive atmosphere and hopefully, if they have so much fun with us, they will continue with soccer.’
Smith said being an athlete her whole life gives her perspective. Her team last year won the Tom Cup, but there was a lower-seeded team.
“Yes, you want to win, but I told the girls that the one thing you want to do is know you left it all on the field,” she said. “If you do that, then win or lose, you leave the field happy.”
