Coach changes lives through soccer

Darice Weber first met Antajuan in April 2005 when he was placed on her U10 soccer team.  The first thing that struck her about Antajuan was his dazzling smile – followed closely by the realization that he was seriously lacking any emotional maturity or self-control.  This, coupled with the fact that Antajuan wasn’t a particularly good soccer player that first season was enough to make many coaches give up on him.

Not Darice Weber.

She didn’t care how many times she had to relegate him to the sidelines during a game because he fought with a teammate or had an emotional meltdown.  She continued to preach the importance of being a good teammate and acting appropriately.

Antajuan wasn’t just struggling in soccer, he was also having a hard time controlling himself at school as well.  Over that year, he was suspended 19 times for insubordinate behavior.  His grades suffered as well – despite a natural intellectual ability, Antajuan wasn’t working up to near his potential. Darice made a real effort to get to know Antajuan and take an active role his life outside of soccer. 

Antajuan’s evolution continues this spring with the start of this third year under the tutelage of Darice Weber.  Happily, she reports that this year he hasn’t been suspended once and he received a 3.0 on his last report card!  In addition, he was named the assistant captain on her U12 soccer team. “Our perennial problem child had evolved into a star student and become a joy to coach!” said Weber of Antajuan’s progress. “The lessons Antajuan struggled so mightily to learn on the soccer field will help him succeed not only in soccer, but in life.” 

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