Evan P.

Melinda and Randall Cunningham- Former player parents (Testimonial)

Dear Gus and Rob, A while back we had an impromptu parent meeting with Gus, but it was halftime and we ran out of time before Randall and I got to say anything. Gus had asked how everything was going and what we thought of the club. Randall and I have Gavin (who will be turning 12) and Chloe (who is 15). Both started playing sports at the age of 3 and have tried a variety of everything. We have sure seen our fair share of coaches, and clubs and styles. We cannot express enough the gratitude we have for your program. The club as a whole is well organized, communicates well and asks for feedback from parents regularly....sadly that is a rarity these days and it is so refreshing to see your genuine thoughtfulness in providing a great service. We thank you tremendously. Not to overshadow the wonderful quality of the club, we write today mainly to talk to you about Coach Evan. Since Gavin was a baby, he has had great hand-eye coordination. He played soccer for several years as a small boy then took a few years off for baseball and just last year asked us to return to soccer. He joined a club closer to our home in Oviedo mid-season. We were shocked at tryouts this summer to learn they were cutting him...and did so in the most unprofessional and heartbreaking way. Gavin was crushed. Of course their tryouts just happened to be on the last day of everyone else's, sealing Gavin's fate for playing for another team. Randall worked tirelessly to find another club he could tryout for. He found you. Gavin tried out and Coach Evan said he was exactly what he was looking for and Gavin was jumping up and down. Two weeks after tryouts Gavin broke both bones in his forearm (the first break in our family). He went to every practice, at least to watch and support his team. Coach Evan would let him sit on the bench or shag balls and, as Gavin has just been able to return to the field these past few weeks, Coach Evan very carefully selected when he could play, making sure it was safe and if it wasn't he pulled him out (always explaining to Gavin why he chose to play him or not). My heart is overjoyed. You can tell Evan's love for the sport as well as the growth of every child on that team. Randall and I often talk about what we've seen from the sidelines. Coach Evan doesn't put up with any goofing around but he shows them fun. We love that he teaches them to be respectful. We love that he when he yells from the sidelines, it's instructions (different then the last club that would yell their names followed by a "what are you doing"). I have learned a lot just by listening to the things he calls out. We talk with other parents on the sidelines and we chuckle at times....our absolute favorite is when a kid misses a goal or a play, he yells "unlucky". What an amazing, positive way to say that! It's brilliant! I had the opportunity to talk to Coach Evan between games in the last tournament. We had such a nice conversation. He shared some of his coaching philosophies and I knew immediately why Gavin is so fond of him. I thanked him for believing in Gavin and for making him the happiest I have seen in a long time. He turned to me and said "you never give up on a hard worker" and it's everything I could do not to cry in front of him. He is amazing in every way, a true asset to your club! Thank you for the chance to be part of such a great organization and please thank Coach Evan for being such an inspirational leader to our son! -Melinda and Randall Cunningham