The following are some exerts from Marie Langford’s presentation at the MSYSA Annual General Meeting (AGM) on June 1st.

There were many great nominations this year for Coach of the Year, but one nomination clearly stood out above the rest…

Coach Jose Benitez from Freestate!  As a testament to him you can see the back of the room is filled with players who have just come from a game, and players getting ready to play tonight.  Jose’s nomination was especially touching when you look at the original hand-written letters from his players who expressed their thoughts on Coach Jose.  Here are a few quotes from players:

“He taught me one time that playing soccer with your heart is what makes a good player great.”

“I believe with his support and motivation on the field we can accomplish anything.”

Originally from El Salvadore, Coach Jose immigrated with his family to Maryland and has made Maryland his home.  A graduate of Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring where he started all four years on the Varsity soccer team, he has maintained his connection with soccer youth in the local communities in Maryland .  His connection with the Latino communities in the state provides him with the unique ability to bring organized soccer to youth who may not have otherwise had the opportunity to play at a higher level. 

As a dedicated and caring person, he has organized annual donations of used soccer gear which he personally takes back to El Salvador to donate to youth in need.  He is currently collecting soccer gear for his trip this summer.

He earned an A license from the El Salvador Soccer Federation in 2006, and has been working his way through the licensing process.  Most recently he finished the MSYSA D License in February this year and is scheduled to travel to California in October for his C license.  In addition to coaching clinics, camps, club teams and high school teams, Coach Jose has been active as the Age Group Coaching Director for the U13 Boys and U14 Girls, MSYSA Central-East Region District Development Program.

His accomplishments with his players and the team include developing the team from a mediocre NCSL Division Three team to a competitive Division One team.  He started with no players involved with ODP and today has trained three players who play on the 1992 and 1993 State ODP teams.  Not satisfied with what could be provided in the US for style of play, he organized and led the Arsenal on an eight day international trip to Scotland.  The team won the Loch Lomond Youth Soccer Festival and played competitively against a professional team which was the highlight of the trip for most of the players. 

Coach Jose is a gifted and revered coach who displays genuine concern for his community, players, and their families.  Possessing a strong sense of integrity, creativity and dedication, Coach Jose Benitez is a leader in the soccer community who will define soccer’s future.  Loyalty and initiative are his trademarks.  I can think of no one more deserving for selection as the MSYSA Coach of the Year. 

Jose, it gives me great pleasure to present to you the 2008 MSYSA Coach of the Year Award.