Friday, August 27, 2010
The Dream Shared 1
The Dream Shared 2
AT LAST! The soccer field is complete and the field house is well on the way as the photos will show.
The man shown with a camera is Bob Stevens at the Dedication of the Sports Complex on Saturday, August 21, 2010. Bob is a very significant person since he, as you may know, was the original impetus behind the construction of the field once the planning of new construction got under way about six years ago. His daughter graduated too soon to enjoy the use of the field, but Bob’s enthusiasm and involvement continued. The benches you see on the convent hill were placed there by him so that the Sisters at the Heights could come out and enjoy the games, too. Enthusiasm + generosity = a winning game! Thanks, Bob!
The three blog entries below tell the Dedication story.
Dedication Celebration
After construction comes dedication—YES. In the blog below is the address giving the history of soccer at N.D.A.. Greg Johnson , the man in the yellow shirt, standing on the platform above Sr. Mary Shauna, read the address, while cameras clicked all around. The “Kentucky Life” section of Sunday’s ENQUIRER (Aug. 22, 2010) has a very nice spread on the front page, by the way. Photos here include the new marching band getting assembled, Sr. M. Shauna in front of the scaffold platform, the 2004 Panda soccer state champs, and the line up of coaches through the years, from right to left. They are named and honored in the address below.
Address Given At Dedication
History of Soccer at Notre Dame Academy
In 1976, Paul Tipton and Ron Staurovsky developed a recreational soccer league for girls and boys, played at the fields of Villa Madonna Academy. The league was such a great success that in the following year, two separate leagues were formed; a Villa Hills league directed by Ron Staurovsky and a Park Hills league directed by Paul Tipton.
In 1978 - after 2 years of recreational play – four area high schools formed interscholastic teams.
Villa Madonna, Dixie Heights, Scott and Notre Dame Academy!!!
Thirty-four student athletes attended the first NDA soccer practice, thirty-two years ago. The enthusiastic turnout made it necessary to form two teams, appropriately named, the Blue and Gold teams.
Here, with us today, is the Pioneer of Northern Kentucky Soccer and Notre Dame Academy’s first coach of the Blue team - Coach Paul Tipton!!!!… Paul coached 5 years and compiled a record of 21-11-1. In 1982, Paul entered the Pandas in the State Soccer Tournament. However, only one State Soccer Tournament existed and all participating schools were boys’ teams. The state accepted the offer to allow NDA to participate, but the Pandas later withdrew, in order to ensure the safety of its players.
Paul’s wife, Alvera, was instrumental in forming the NDA Athletic Boosters organization and was named its first secretary. Because of their wonderful contributions to the athletic program, both Paul and Alvera are inductees of Notre Dame Academy’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Thank you, Paul Tipton.****
Next, we are pleased to welcome the first coach of the 1978 NDA Gold team – Coach Sarah Kelsch-Good! Sarah’s first team recorded 4 wins and 6 losses. In 1979, Sarah assisted Paul Tipton with the Blue team and together they compiled a season record of 5-1-1. Not only did Sarah coach soccer for two years, she also coached volleyball, cross-country, basketball and softball, while teaching 8 years at NDA. Sarah was inducted into Notre Dame Academy’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992, and with her coaching versatility, it should come as no surprise! Thank you Coach Good!****
The third coach in NDA’s program is - Coach Bob Fincken! In his solo year with the Pandas, Bob coached the 1979 Gold team to a 2-2 record. Bob Fincken ****
A big welcome to Pandas coach– Art Eder! Art coached two spring seasons with Paul Tipton and one fall soccer season. In 1982, Art’s team recorded an undefeated season of 6-0! After two years with the Pandas, Art compiled a career record of 9-6. ***** Let’s hear it for Coach Eder!
Please welcome NDA’s fifth varsity coach – Coach Chuck Long! Chuck coached the Pandas from 1982-1985 and his team only lost one game to another Kentucky team. In Chuck’s four-year tenure he compiled a 62-22-2 career record! Chuck was diagnosed with cancer during his years at NDA and states his players were instrumental in helping him fight his battle with cancer. In 2007, Chuck was inducted into the Northern Kentucky Soccer Hall of Fame for his contributions as a high school coach at Notre Dame Academy and Simon Kenton. In addition, Chuck founded the Girls Olympic Development Program in Kentucky, the Girls High School Soccerama, and was Co-founder of the Independence Soccer Club! ***** Thank you Coach Chuck Long
Following Coach Long in the line up of NDA coaches is Coach Mike Wolf! Mike coached 7 seasons for the Pandas from 1986-1992, compiling a career record of 99-51-11! Mike’s teams, like those preceding him, practiced on the field that we now use as our softball field. In 1992, Coach Wolf’s illustrious career was most noted for having the opportunity to coach the first NDA team in a Kentucky High School State Tournament!!!....Twenty years after the first Boys Soccer State Championship! Coach Wolf’s team won 4 games en-route to the state championship finals, including a regional title win over Scott, in a shoot out. Coach Wolf’s team was on a winning streak holding opponents to zero goals, as they approached the championship finals. The finals however were postponed several weeks due to snow, yet, the game finally took place on a very cold night in late November. Ten minutes into the second half, Lexington Lafayette scored on a perfectly placed corner kick. Despite out-shooting Lafayette 23-5, the Pandas fell short of winning the very first girls KY State Soccer Championship in a 1-0 loss. Awesome job, Coach Mike Wolf
Please welcome NDA’s seventh varsity coach: Coach Tim Prieshoff!
Tim has the longest tenure of all soccer coaches at NDA, beginning with 7 seasons as Coach Wolf’s assistant and moving to the varsity position, from 1993-2003. Tim compiled a career record of 177-53-9. Tim’s teams practiced at the rather small field on campus, but as numbers grew and play quickened, it became tougher to keep the competitive edge with other schools practicing on regulation fields. As a result, Tim moved his practice site to Marydale, Pioneer Park, and then to the front of the Sanitation District building. Home games were played at Boone Woods and Central Park. For many years, Boone County High School was gracious in allowing NDA to host a home game under the lights, for our senior nights. During Tim’s tenure, the addition of a freshman program was included, allowing 20 more players to experience the thrill of playing high school soccer. Tim was also instrumental in recruiting former players to assist in coaching the Panda teams. Some of the most notable are Kerrie Schmidt-Kramer, Julie Roesel-Belton,
Lisa Metz-Warner and our present coach Sara Raaker-McSorley. Tim’s teams won 7 district titles; 5 regional titles (including 3 consecutive titles in 1997, 98, 99); 4 sectional titles and 2 state runner-up titles in 1997 and 1999! ****** Thank you Coach Tim Prieshoff!
Let’s have a big Pandas “How do you feel” welcome for our 1997 graduate and our current head coach Sara Raaker-McSorley! Sara began her coaching career in style, celebrating her 25th birthday, with a semi-final win and a berth to play in the KY State Championship Finals. The Pandas became the first Northern Kentucky team (for both boys and girls) to win a soccer state championship! To date, Coach Raaker-McSorley’s teams have compiled 6 district titles, 3 regional titles, 3 sectional titles, a 2009 state runner up title and a 2004 state championship! Twenty-five of Sara’s former players have continued their soccer career in college. Sara’s teams, like those who preceded her, found it a daily challenge to secure a consistent home practice field. Practices were held at a variety of locations – Mills Road Park, CCH, Thomas More, Turpin, Anderson, and even in a meadow at Marydale, alongside Houston Road. (where Bob Stevens mowed the grass for the team every Sunday evening). High school and select soccer continued to grow in numbers. It became more and more difficult to find options for both practice and home games. During the last 2 years, Xavier University became home to the Pandas, for practice and home games. NDA is most grateful to Kevin Molony and Town and Country, who generously provided field time to the Pandas throughout the 10 years. So, not only does Coach Raaker-McSorely have the first state championship, Sara will also be remembered as becoming the first NDA coach to actually have a true home field advantage!!
Congratulations and a big thanks Coach Raaker-McSorley!
In closing, the Notre Dame Academy community would like to thank all of these wonderful coaches and our friends and supporters, who have made this Field of Dreams possible. Let’s give a final salute to our NDA coaches here today. They have dedicated their time and service to NDA, and have been instrumental in making our soccer program one of the best in the state! We are eternally grateful for your commitment to the program and know that we expect to see you back in the stands each and every home game!!! God Bless you.
In 1976, Paul Tipton and Ron Staurovsky developed a recreational soccer league for girls and boys, played at the fields of Villa Madonna Academy. The league was such a great success that in the following year, two separate leagues were formed; a Villa Hills league directed by Ron Staurovsky and a Park Hills league directed by Paul Tipton.
In 1978 - after 2 years of recreational play – four area high schools formed interscholastic teams.
Villa Madonna, Dixie Heights, Scott and Notre Dame Academy!!!
Thirty-four student athletes attended the first NDA soccer practice, thirty-two years ago. The enthusiastic turnout made it necessary to form two teams, appropriately named, the Blue and Gold teams.
Here, with us today, is the Pioneer of Northern Kentucky Soccer and Notre Dame Academy’s first coach of the Blue team - Coach Paul Tipton!!!!… Paul coached 5 years and compiled a record of 21-11-1. In 1982, Paul entered the Pandas in the State Soccer Tournament. However, only one State Soccer Tournament existed and all participating schools were boys’ teams. The state accepted the offer to allow NDA to participate, but the Pandas later withdrew, in order to ensure the safety of its players.
Paul’s wife, Alvera, was instrumental in forming the NDA Athletic Boosters organization and was named its first secretary. Because of their wonderful contributions to the athletic program, both Paul and Alvera are inductees of Notre Dame Academy’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Thank you, Paul Tipton.****
Next, we are pleased to welcome the first coach of the 1978 NDA Gold team – Coach Sarah Kelsch-Good! Sarah’s first team recorded 4 wins and 6 losses. In 1979, Sarah assisted Paul Tipton with the Blue team and together they compiled a season record of 5-1-1. Not only did Sarah coach soccer for two years, she also coached volleyball, cross-country, basketball and softball, while teaching 8 years at NDA. Sarah was inducted into Notre Dame Academy’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992, and with her coaching versatility, it should come as no surprise! Thank you Coach Good!****
The third coach in NDA’s program is - Coach Bob Fincken! In his solo year with the Pandas, Bob coached the 1979 Gold team to a 2-2 record. Bob Fincken ****
A big welcome to Pandas coach– Art Eder! Art coached two spring seasons with Paul Tipton and one fall soccer season. In 1982, Art’s team recorded an undefeated season of 6-0! After two years with the Pandas, Art compiled a career record of 9-6. ***** Let’s hear it for Coach Eder!
Please welcome NDA’s fifth varsity coach – Coach Chuck Long! Chuck coached the Pandas from 1982-1985 and his team only lost one game to another Kentucky team. In Chuck’s four-year tenure he compiled a 62-22-2 career record! Chuck was diagnosed with cancer during his years at NDA and states his players were instrumental in helping him fight his battle with cancer. In 2007, Chuck was inducted into the Northern Kentucky Soccer Hall of Fame for his contributions as a high school coach at Notre Dame Academy and Simon Kenton. In addition, Chuck founded the Girls Olympic Development Program in Kentucky, the Girls High School Soccerama, and was Co-founder of the Independence Soccer Club! ***** Thank you Coach Chuck Long
Following Coach Long in the line up of NDA coaches is Coach Mike Wolf! Mike coached 7 seasons for the Pandas from 1986-1992, compiling a career record of 99-51-11! Mike’s teams, like those preceding him, practiced on the field that we now use as our softball field. In 1992, Coach Wolf’s illustrious career was most noted for having the opportunity to coach the first NDA team in a Kentucky High School State Tournament!!!....Twenty years after the first Boys Soccer State Championship! Coach Wolf’s team won 4 games en-route to the state championship finals, including a regional title win over Scott, in a shoot out. Coach Wolf’s team was on a winning streak holding opponents to zero goals, as they approached the championship finals. The finals however were postponed several weeks due to snow, yet, the game finally took place on a very cold night in late November. Ten minutes into the second half, Lexington Lafayette scored on a perfectly placed corner kick. Despite out-shooting Lafayette 23-5, the Pandas fell short of winning the very first girls KY State Soccer Championship in a 1-0 loss. Awesome job, Coach Mike Wolf
Please welcome NDA’s seventh varsity coach: Coach Tim Prieshoff!
Tim has the longest tenure of all soccer coaches at NDA, beginning with 7 seasons as Coach Wolf’s assistant and moving to the varsity position, from 1993-2003. Tim compiled a career record of 177-53-9. Tim’s teams practiced at the rather small field on campus, but as numbers grew and play quickened, it became tougher to keep the competitive edge with other schools practicing on regulation fields. As a result, Tim moved his practice site to Marydale, Pioneer Park, and then to the front of the Sanitation District building. Home games were played at Boone Woods and Central Park. For many years, Boone County High School was gracious in allowing NDA to host a home game under the lights, for our senior nights. During Tim’s tenure, the addition of a freshman program was included, allowing 20 more players to experience the thrill of playing high school soccer. Tim was also instrumental in recruiting former players to assist in coaching the Panda teams. Some of the most notable are Kerrie Schmidt-Kramer, Julie Roesel-Belton,
Lisa Metz-Warner and our present coach Sara Raaker-McSorley. Tim’s teams won 7 district titles; 5 regional titles (including 3 consecutive titles in 1997, 98, 99); 4 sectional titles and 2 state runner-up titles in 1997 and 1999! ****** Thank you Coach Tim Prieshoff!
Let’s have a big Pandas “How do you feel” welcome for our 1997 graduate and our current head coach Sara Raaker-McSorley! Sara began her coaching career in style, celebrating her 25th birthday, with a semi-final win and a berth to play in the KY State Championship Finals. The Pandas became the first Northern Kentucky team (for both boys and girls) to win a soccer state championship! To date, Coach Raaker-McSorley’s teams have compiled 6 district titles, 3 regional titles, 3 sectional titles, a 2009 state runner up title and a 2004 state championship! Twenty-five of Sara’s former players have continued their soccer career in college. Sara’s teams, like those who preceded her, found it a daily challenge to secure a consistent home practice field. Practices were held at a variety of locations – Mills Road Park, CCH, Thomas More, Turpin, Anderson, and even in a meadow at Marydale, alongside Houston Road. (where Bob Stevens mowed the grass for the team every Sunday evening). High school and select soccer continued to grow in numbers. It became more and more difficult to find options for both practice and home games. During the last 2 years, Xavier University became home to the Pandas, for practice and home games. NDA is most grateful to Kevin Molony and Town and Country, who generously provided field time to the Pandas throughout the 10 years. So, not only does Coach Raaker-McSorely have the first state championship, Sara will also be remembered as becoming the first NDA coach to actually have a true home field advantage!!
Congratulations and a big thanks Coach Raaker-McSorley!
In closing, the Notre Dame Academy community would like to thank all of these wonderful coaches and our friends and supporters, who have made this Field of Dreams possible. Let’s give a final salute to our NDA coaches here today. They have dedicated their time and service to NDA, and have been instrumental in making our soccer program one of the best in the state! We are eternally grateful for your commitment to the program and know that we expect to see you back in the stands each and every home game!!! God Bless you.
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