Message From Outgoing Richmond Strikers Chairman Ken Scott

Long gone are the Weeping Willow trees on Field 3 and long past are the days and early evenings I spent talking to friends and parents so long that my wife would accuse me of soliciting votes for public office.

Those days of recognizing the parents with their Striker players has passed me, however I always enjoy watching the youngsters having fun and appreciate the life skills they are learning.

In 1984, my wife signed up our six year old son to play soccer. A sport I knew very little about and one that I was not interested in spending every Saturday before he could play, picking up rocks from the playing area.

We played on Henrico school fields and on open areas large enough to mark a field in Innsbrook. We practiced on any plot of ground that a company, church or person would allow us the privilege.

That spring there were 1140 players in the House League, as it was called then, and in the fall season 1304 players. Twelve A & B teams made up the Travel program, about 175 players, and there was $32,000 in the checking account that paid for two part time overworked staff members. There was also a previous payment arrangement of a $12,000 quarterly contribution, and the highlight of the 1984 year was the Ground Breaking of Striker Park.

Through the years my four children played soccer and I have had the pleasure of being a part of this growing sport and this club. I’ve seen the Strikers faced with the same issues over and over as we have tried to arrange space to play for a growing population of youngsters at every skill level.

It has meant a growing army of volunteers was needed and presumptuous creative thinking by the Board to find ways to keep pace with the growth within our means.

The Strikers success has been through the interest of youngsters and the dedication of many people who have given of many hours of their time and talent to have a Club that is admired and resented by some, but without question has had success because a common goal was always the incentive, to improve the opportunities for the youngsters.

Each individual in an organization must make a choice as to what role he or she will play in the organization. The choice is either to actively participate or simply go through the motions from the sidelines. Being a reliable member of an organization means contributing to the success of everyone and the recruitment of these good people must be constant.

It is important for each person to believe that what he or she provides to the group is valuable. Realizing that success increases when everyone works toward a common goal is a powerful incentive for cooperation.

Together, individuals have a combined strength that is unbeatable and success comes with the involvement plus your enthusiasm that multiplies the rewards that are divided among the many we serve to create the smiles and lessons of life that are taught by soccer.

The concerns for the future have not changed from the beginning. Keeping expenses within our means and hopefully without reducing the quality of our programs or tournaments remains your responsibility.

The wisdom of this Board has had the courage to say no and faced the challenge to say yes to growth.

I step away with wonderful memories of the people I’ve worked with and the rewards my children experienced playing soccer.

I appreciate you allowing me the privilege to grow as a person, and as a member of this Board with the responsibilities you entrusted me. I have enjoyed the time with you.

Thank You for the honor.

Now, Lynne will you please join me. I would like to present my Strikers’ pin and gavel to you as the new Chairperson to address any new business before this Board.

Lynne Blain is a zealous advocate for the Richmond Strikers; she has served soccer in so many ways; as an involved parent, as President of the Richmond Metropolitan Youth Soccer League, as a strong voice on the Board and the Executive Committee and as President through some very interesting proposals.

Bill Stanley is known by all for his attention to field discipline and I have no doubt that he will also have the same discipline in the Office of President.

The Executive Committee is made up of dedicated Striker members, each with strong backgrounds in the area of their position. Jeff Robinson, CPA has been very helpful in watching over our finances. The club is in good financial supervision with Jeff.

John Strang joined us last year on the Striker Executive Committee and this year steps up to become Secretary and from working with him, I’m sure he is going to be a fine Secretary.

Brad Long has truly stepped forward to ask for more than can probably be arranged for the Recreational Program, but he is creative and I believe his advocacy in time will prevail.

The new Travel Chairman, Peter Albright, brings soccer experience from his coaching at the University of Richmond and I would expect to see his influence on the program very soon.

Lynne, Bill and this Executive Committee, I’m sure will give the Richmond Strikers excellent leadership into the future.

We have a staff that is second to none. We are very fortunate to have an Executive Director, Scott Turner, who believes in people and believes he has an outstanding team in the office that can accomplish any task given. You have heard from them tonight and of course many of you have worked with them in the past and if you are new to the Board please get acquainted. Your volunteer support can always be used. Remember they will give you a job description.

Get to know them and ask them how you can help or let them know of your background and professional experience, so they may call on you for ideas and connections.

I can not leave without thanking in addition to those that are remaining on the Executive Committee; some friends that have contributed many hours and talent to the Strikers over the past three years. Some are leaving the Strikers some will remain; nevertheless, they have all been instrumental in our decisions. Jeff Finch, Keith Oliver, Betsy Eckart, Anne Shaffer, Tom Donahue, Jeff Morgan, Tom Wilson and Ed Maino were all key Executive Committee members for different decisions that were made.

Mike Eisenman, Bob Bozarth, Mike Healy, Bob Nicholas, Joe Porter, Charlie Blair, and many others over the years have helped me understand the Strikers’ issues and they have led the way for their satisfactory conclusion.

I would like to make a motion for your consideration. There are three people that I believe should be permanently recognized for their service to the Richmond Strikers and there names included in the Ring of Honor at Striker Park.

Mrs. Richard B. Craig, Picky as she was/is known, was the founder of the soccer club idea in west Richmond and served as the first President of the Three Chopt Soccer League and the Richmond Strikers until 1984. Her determination to have a soccer club for the children is why we exist.

The second person was the man Pecky and the other members of the Board that Pecky ask to help create this new club collectively wanted to be the first Chairman. He was one of the financial pillows behind Striker Park and an individual that has continued to support the Richmond Strikers in many ways, Bill Goodwin.

The third person is John Purcell; he was one of the original parents in the Three Chopt Soccer League. He served as the first Secretary of the newly named Richmond Strikers Soccer Club, and later served as President for seven years and Chairman during some very important years of growth.

We all owe these three people enormous appreciation for our existence and I believe they should be among those recognized at Striker Park and I seek your support in recognizing them in the Circle of Honor, to be permanently remembered.

PASSED