My name is David Lord. My daughters play U-18 Classic soccer in SCYSA in Goose Creek SC, and I would like to nominate their coach, Francisco Agbunag (Coach Cisco), to be selected for the Girls 2002 Coach of the Year. They both were on the Goose Creek "Rage" last year and will be participating on it again this year. My daughters have opportunities to play on other teams, but it is because of Franciso’s outstanding coaching abilities that they choose to return to him for a second year. It also pleases us as parents that he will be their coach. There are so many positive things I can say, but I will try to follow your criteria in order to express some of it.

For sportsmanship he has always set a good example. Never have I seen him show anger or any kind of hostility, frustration, or lack of respect towards another player, coach, referee, or fan. There have been several circumstances when it would have been very easy to be placed under such when opposing teams have shown and practiced complete lack of sportsmanship to our players. I've always seen him at the sidelines in a calm, cool, collected manner, rarely raising his voice except to give instruction to players on the field. He graciously congratulates and shakes hands after each game with opposing players, coaches, and referees regardless of the game’s end results and installs this in the players. He does not teach players how to take unfair advantage of other players or to make moves that could result in injury. The girls are taught and encouraged to play hard and to the best of their ability, but he will bench anyone thought to be playing in anger or a manner otherwise. Not only are the players addressed for sportsmanship, but also the parents and fans are spoken to about appropriate behavior at the field. He asks that we voice only positive comments to the players and he does not tolerate any unsportsmanship from the fans. Coach Cisco links sportsmanship and life in several ways. He refers to the responsibility to each other as a team and individuals both on the field and in their other activities. He stresses the importance of accountability that they have to both fellow players and fans, and the representation that their conduct reflects upon the team and themselves. Communication skills are highlighted as a necessity to function as a team and as people in general life situations. Most importantly, he demands that the girls give 100% at practices and games and rewards those who do regardless of their athletic ability, while placing the ideals that what someone puts into something is returned in similar or greater fashion. As a personal example Coach Cisco demonstrates these practices for his own self through his dedication to the players by being ready and on time for all practices, making himself available for any individual development. Also never going about the team functions less than % 100 and even being a listening ear for anyone having personal non-soccer related problems. Often he is not only their coach but also a mentor in many aspects.

Player development is something that I have witnessed in both my daughters’ skill levels. I have seen enormous skill advancement from his coaching. The differences between the other coaches and himself leaves nothing to compare as it is like seeing a new advanced player emerge under his guidance. He has made that much difference for them! All players get an attempt made to play in all games. Those that give their best and try to improve themselves even greater see more time on the field as a reward. He pushes the players to reach levels that they thought they could not attain. The practice drills he gives them are designed for player skill enhancement and confidence in their abilities. Above and beyond the soccer field Coach Cisco takes time to teach proper study habits for school, personal time management to the team members, and attends the local high school games during the school season. His arm is extended to the school coaches for any assistance that he can offer which most often is received gratefully. Cisco is not a dictator coach. The players are encouraged to submit their ideas, suggestions, and impute. They are asked if there are other positions for them to try and what is it they can they can bring to that position. He likes them to develop talent for several positions to become better players and build confidence. From these talents he encourages and promotes college and higher competition playing. He will contact college coaches and take the time to write player evaluations to help get players known. Scrimmages are made with higher competitive teams to show the girls just how far they can go with proper training. Besides regular practices, he asks the players to train on their own or with other players to develop individual tricks and moves he has shown them and to take all the training serious both at home and the field. When he finds very helpful or resourceful information for the players it is always passed along to the players via email or handouts.

Besides developing his players, Coach Cisco is always trying to better himself as a coach. He is in constant communication with other coaches both in person and online at chat boards sharing ideas with them. Taking courses has earned him with licenses as a coach and referee. He also has bought numerous books and videotapes on training and tactics to advance in the game. To his credit, this knowledge is shared with kids that cannot afford soccer camps with free clinics given by him. Cisco has played soccer since childhood and played in a mens indoor league in Charleston SC. Currently an Achilles tendon injury has him sidelined but he would be playing otherwise. Going from mens leagues to high school games, taping professional matches, and attending most every local match he can, I think Francisco lives and breathes soccer.

There are not many people that I have talked to in the soccer community that hasn't heard of Coach Cisco's name. While many of the Classic soccer coaches, especially anyone of his caliber, charge fees for their coaching expertise, his time has be given freely without any charges. Three of the local high schools as mentioned before receive his voluntary assistance to help whenever he can. He has befriended many of the high school and various league coaches establishing a camaraderie bond between them. Cisco always says that during the game there is competition but before and after games he laughs and talks with opposing coaches as non-competitive friends. Not only is he available for his own team but extends a hand to all the league teams if needed even helping out with developing the playing fields. He will continuously ask players for ideas and comments about the training routine or game situations. The assistant coaches are challenged to come up with their training ideas so he can watch others teach and he will in turn learn new things. He listens to parents and establishes great relationships with all. Several times he has opened up his home to cook outs and team gatherings and maintains a web site filled with information about the team, players, and links to helpful information. It’s because of positive coaching and attitudes like his and being such a good representative of the sport that he is, other clubs approach him to coach in their league. Thankfully he has remained here.

Besides all these things and many others not mentioned there is something else for me that also sets him apart from other coaches. As a coach of other sports myself, I can personally vouch what this means to me. His time most freely given as a coach, mentor, field worker and many other hats that he wears is given from the love of the game and people. I have never met someone that gives so much time to the players and children of so many people and yet does not have a child of his own on any of the teams. This represents the epitome of what unselfishness and dedication to a sport and the people involved can be. Along with the sport, he maintains faithfulness to family and full time job. I don't know how he pulls it all off but it must take an incredible amount of dedication and a Superman suit under his attire. No one could attempt to place a value on all his time and value to our community. I cannot think of a better suited person to receive a Coach of the Year than Coach Cisco whether it be from my daughters team or one of the boys team he also coaches when the girls are playing for the high schools so I give my nomination forth

Most of the following came from one of his team soccer web page. http://www.eteamz.com/cisco/

Goals/objectives: Attending college and will use his degree to become a teacher. His goals are to attain a

Masters degree and coach at the college level. He also striving to get the "A" license

Years coached: Began Coaching in Puerto Rico 1986
Coached in South Carolina 1987-1991
Played and Coached on Mens traveling US Navy team in 1995

Coached in California 1993-1996
Coached in South Carolina 1997-present
Teams coached: U-18 girls and numerous other youth and adult teams that I’m unable to provide

Teams played: Played from age 13 until 18 in Club teams and High School
Played on mens USO team at age 16 & 17
Played Division 1 in Charleston leagues from 1988-1991

Certifications/Licenses: Currently holds the "D" level coaching license and referee certifications

Community dedication and achievements: Expressed in previous paragraphs.