Fellow MTAL coaches’ bid to allow the Anzar soccer team to play
a junior-varsity schedule fails
The Anzar Hawks’ soccer team won’t be demoted to junior varsity
level after all.
The Anzar Hawks’ soccer team won’t be demoted to junior varsity level after all.
Despite a plea from the Greenfield High School men’s soccer coach and a threat to challenge the Mission Trail Athletic League bylaws, MTAL commissioner Elgie Bellizio said his hands are tied.
Last week after the Greenfield Spartans 12-0 victory over the Anzar Hawks, Spartans coach Ruben Alvarez expressed concern over the demoralizing losses the Hawks have suffered since the team was founded four years ago.
Alvarez had said the MTAL should look into placing the Hawks’ varsity team on the junior varsity level for the sake of competition and the young men’s psyche. He also said that other soccer coaches in the MTAL expressed the same concern and planned to approach Bellizio.
Tuesday Bellizio said in order to be part of the MTAL or any other league on the central coast, a school must field varsity teams.
“The league’s priority is always varsity teams first, then junior varsity and so on,” Bellizio said. “If we scheduled only junior varsity games, it leaves the varsity team hanging. Teams are allowed to play on the freshman or junior varsity level for the first two years.”
Bellizio said it’s a “catch us if you can” league. Smaller schools come into the league with the understanding that teams, no matter the talent level or number of players, will play on the varsity level after two years, just as the Hawks did 1999.
Hawks coach Mick Brown did not seemed surprised by Bellizio’s response. Brown said he understood the rule and his only concern is finding 18 quality players in such a small school.
As for the team’s morale Brown said he does not think that will be an issue.
“Every kids that’s out there loves playing the game,” Brown said.
Just as it’s vital for the kids to have fun, it’s just as important for Brown to stick around for a while.
The Hawks need stability in its early years in order to be successful in the future. The Hawks have had three different coaches in four years. That’s three different personalities, three separate game plans and three distinct philosophies. Brown seems to have the right personality for the Hawks.
He’s firm when he needs to be, knowledgeable and committed. His son Nick, a sophomore, also plays for the Hawks.
