IT'S ALL SET!
#DynamosDifference
THANKS TO VOLUNTEER CORPS
Newly-appointed Volunteer Coordinator Tanya Goytia penned this salute to the reliable pool of parents who make the wheels go around for the Dynamos:
What is a Dynamos volunteer? The answer: a selfless expression of love and dedication poured into our players and the beautiful game of soccer, parading around in Dynamos blue, gold and white! Dynamos Volunteers are top notch! From checking players in at tryouts to making sure the trainers with back-to-back game have lunches, every pre-game warm-up, high fives, and wiped tears, overcoming defeat and celebrating success with our players on and off the field and every email in between,.This club's success would not be possible without the amazing support of our volunteers! A huge thank you to Courtney Livingston, Amy Barton, Kathy Juenke, Renee Trager, Shanen Hajdik, Carrie Delancey, So Bellman, Amber Huff, Karl Bar, Kellie Weisner, Angela Pipes, Andrea Sharayha, Kristin Duncan, Martha Rodarte, Karen Nichols, and the Cy-Woods Key Club for helping with tryouts. A special thanks to Heather Cannon, who helped with the new manager orientation held at Spring Creek BBQ, and spending countless hours providing the wonderful table markers at orientation. Drum Roll please, our team managers have the thankless, but vital, job of ensuring that our teams run smoothly. THANK YOU MANAGERS! They are Derek Bale, Hector Mojica, Ticia Shiery, Roger Fritz, Gene Wilson, Valerie Wilson, Steven Goytia, Joen Preuss, Kristin Duncan, Jason McNabb, Shelly Wonson, Bret Wonson, Amy Barton, Courtney Livingston, Karen Payne, Leslie Valentine, Paul Cannon, Heather Cannon, Lisa Alter, Chevelle Hopkins, Naomi Favela, Karl Bar, George Bridges, Louis Mexia, Jose Ornelas, Linda Ornelas, Johnny Klander, Hilary Walker, Abigail Khatiblou, Eli Hernandez, Sheri Howard, J. Howard, Scott Lockett, Andrea Sharayha, Becky Hurt, Suzanne Pipes, Karl Koch, Maelia Davis, Jennifer Vaughan, Renee Trager, Kathy Juenke, Todd Burns, Russell Frost, Patrick Huff, Amber Huff, Juan Correa, Ryan Owens, Leslie Owens, Ed Grillo, Marcus Hajdik, Shanen Hajdik, Chris Jones, Andrew Bridges, Marsha Teng, James Beaty, Charles Funderburk, and Daron Peschel. We couldn't do it without you! I look forward to partnering with all our amazing families, trainers, players and volunteers! We are the #DYNAMOSDIFFERENCE! --Tanya Goytia
Dynamos Essay
MY SOCCER EXPERIENCE
By Michelle MacIntyre
(Awarded 2018 Dynamos Scholarship)
My soccer career began at the YMCA, moved to Cy-Fair rec soccer, and finally to the Dynamos. I never really blossomed as a player until joining the Dynamos' soccer organization. When our existing team merged with Dynamos, it was like starting over. I felt I had to prove myself as a player all over again. On my previous team I was a co-captain and continuously voted Defensive MVP. I had become accustomed to relying on my natural skills as a defender, and was never concerned with playing offense, but this all changed after joining the Dynamos. My first season with the Dynamos I had a rude awakening. I didn’t start, and this was a completely new experience. On the new team I had to reaffirm myself and prove myself to my new coach Oli and my new teammates in order to win back a starting position. This new challenge helped me not only to mature as an individual, but develop my soccer skills and improve as a player. My parents always taught me that if you work hard, good things will happen. I believe that setting a good example and proving yourself through actions on the field rather than words is more effective. With the Dynamos I feel a comfort level and peace I believe is unique to this soccer club. I could tell the staff and coaches really cared about me, and wanted the best for me both on and off the field. I’ve always been reserved and shy around new people and my soccer team was no exception. It took a couple seasons, maybe longer, but I remember Oli stopping practice and yelling to my Dad on the sidelines: "She smiled, she actually smiled at me!" A while later I saw the surprise on his face when I made a smart-aleck remark after receiving some good natured ribbing from him. It’s very hard to put into words the feeling of acceptance that I get from being around this amazing group of people. I can tell that everyone has a genuine interest in my well-being. From the coaches, the parents, and the players I have had the pleasure to spend time with, they have all helped to bring me out of my shell. And while I’m still not the most talkative person, I do feel that I can just be me and that is enough. So I want to especially thank Olivier for seeing me as more than just a player, but as an individual. I also wish to mention Stephen Gonzales, Mark Hunter, Charles Funderburk, James Beatty, Andrew Bridges, Larry Bittner, and Coach Jim Walker for all their help, support, and kind words. For the many years I have spent with the Dynamos they have continued to teach and embody the spirit of "Marty’s Team." I have always spoken highly of the Dynamos' organization and tried to spread the word as much as possible. I would tell anyone looking for a top flight soccer program to consider the "Dynamos Difference." I can tell from seeing and hearing from players in different programs that the feeling and atmosphere is just different. I am so happy I stayed with Dynamos and didn’t jump from one club to another since here, my best interests were always taken into account. I played basketball throughout high school and Olivier’s willingness to work with me on scheduling practices and makeups is something I am sure other clubs would have frowned upon. From top to bottom they show what it truly means to have great training in a truly fun and competitive atmosphere. I will always have a special place in my heart for everyone who has made this such an important part of my life. After joining the Dynamos, I was pushed beyond my previous boundaries and faced a more challenging environment. Olivier challenged me to push myself to have a more attacking mindset. Soccer has taught me many valuable and necessary life skills that I will utilize the rest of my life. Having Dynamos soccer practice three times a week and games on the weekend, along with school activities and basketball, my schedule was packed. In order to survive this hectic schedule I had to learn to properly manage my available time. Working out for hours on end in the Texas heat taught me perseverance and how to push myself physically and mentally. I’ve played with a wide variety of people while at the Dynamos, and I did not necessarily get along with all of them. But I was taught to cooperate and work with them despite our differences, for the sake of the team. Time management, perseverance, and cooperation are all invaluable abilities that will continue to benefit me as I continue my journey in life. I will be continuing my soccer career at the University of Dallas and never would have had that opportunity without the Dynamos. The opportunity to play in college was something I was definitely interested in but only at the right school. I found that I not only wanted but needed that feeling of closeness and caring that I felt with the Dynamos. As long as I continue to apply the teachings I learned with the Dynamos, then I can confidently say I will be well prepared for the next chapter of my life.
Dynamos scholarship winner Michelle MacIntyre poses with Dynamos Director of Training Olivier Finidori
DYNAMOS SUMMER CAMPS 2018
Select Camp, Aug.6-10
Future Stars Camp, Aug 13-17
Goalkeeper Camp, Aug. 15-17
Sign Up Now Online!
THE BUZZ
“Summer Sizzle,” our club’s newest program, attracted 79 boys and girls in the U6-U8 range Tuesday, enough for eight boys teams and four girls teams for the six weeks of Tuesday evening action at Dyess Park. Overseeing the opening activity were Dynamos trainer assistants Lindsey Griffin, Sydney Laird, Phil Bryan, Kyli Harvey, Mariel Parra, and Danielle Lessa. . .The Borussia Dortmund Academy coaching staff has chosen Dyess Park as the site for its 2018 Puma BVB Road Trip event on July 7, with the Dynamos hosting. It is a two-hour (2-4pm) coaching experience that will involve 60 boys and girls (from the Dynamos) in the 05 and 06 birth years. Borussia Dortmund is one of the biggest professional clubs in world soccer. Said Dynamos Director of Training Olivier Finidori: "We are extremely fortunate to get this opportunity through our partnership with Puma. It will be a great experience for our players and, did I mention the event is free?" For further information, contact Olivier at 281-304-5060. . .Alex Koch, who played with the Dynamos from under-11 through under-18, has officially registered to begin a soccer scholarship to Dallas Baptist University in the fall. He is the older brother of Jackson Koch, who plays for the 04 Champions League Dynamos. Dad Karl Koch saluted current trainers Roland Sikinger, Mark Wilkinson, and Dave Hill, and former Dynamos trainers Steve Williams and Eric Quill for their work with Alex. . .Joining the sweat corps for opening week of the Summer Conditioning and Technical Program at Dyess Park were Dynamos trainer Mark Hunter, former Dynamos player Kylie Austin, and former Cy-Fair and Dynamos coach Aleks Alanis. . .To submit items for The Buzz, or the Coaches Memo, email jwalker@dynamossoccer.com.
QUOTABLE
“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit."--Coach Harry S Truman
THOUGHT ON COACHING
In his book “Beyond Winning,” Gary M. Walton cited the thoughts of coaches from all sports, ranging from the demands for excellence by football’s Vince Lombardi to the “pyramid of success” formula constructed by college basketball’s John Wooden. After coaching soccer and working closely with hundreds of youth, amateur, and professional coaches, I was struck most by the personal philosophy of famed swimming coach James “Doc” Counsilman. His thoughts on helping athletes on a day-to-day basis contained eight basic elements. I can see where these guidelines for coaching would enable the athletes to maximize their ability, a goal for which we all strive. 1) Love and affection—let the athlete know you care about them and that you expect reciprocation; 2) Security—don’t bewilder young athletes with your own emotional highs and lows; 3) Status—work hard to make all athletes feel valued and important; 4) Achievement—applaud not only the performance but also explain why and how it was accomplished; 5) Group instinct—heighten the team concept by allowing a fair amount of decision-making by the athletes; 6) Recognition--an essential reward and motivator, so help athletes obtain it; 7) Self-esteem—further it for all team members; 8) Challenge—provide a dynamic and innovative climate for athletes to test themselves and grow.
ANOTHER THOUGHT
The United States is coming off friendlies against Bolivia, Ireland, and France this past Saturday that have been a great test for interim coach Dave Sarachan’s players. It’s these challenges, particularly against France, that will help strengthen the team. Had the U.S. been in a World Cup group with this trio, it would have amassed four points and reached the knockout stage. “The whole idea of programming games like this is to offer young players the opportunities to understand what it's like to play away. . .against what I think is a team that can legitimately win this World Cup,” Sarachan told reporters after the U.S.’s 1-1 draw in Lyon.—USSoccerPlayers.com
IT’S ONLY FAIR
Coach Cy Fair survived tryouts with dizzy spells and back spasms; some parents suffered worse. Live life as an exclamation, not an explanation, Coach Flo advised her players.