Brian Roach Scholarships
Brian Roach, one of our long standing coaches in the club, has passed away February 25, 2017. He has battled with cancer since 2013. His dedication and commitment was unprecedented and his passion for the game and the players he coached had no end. We have lost a great colleague, a kind person, a wonderful friend, a committed coach, and he loved the beautiful game. He worked for our club and with our players since the beginning days of Eugene Metro FC over 10 years ago. Even in his absence he never lost touch with the club and its players.
EMFC establishes two Brian Roach scholarship programs that will continue to honor Brian’s work ethic, his commitment to the club and sport and his players.
1. The Brian Roach Scholarship Fund will give out five $250 scholarships to EMFC soccer players who display the following qualities: Players who work hard, are good team mates, love the game, and need additional financial aid should apply for this annual scholarship. The award can be used to cover tournament travel cost, pay for EMFC soccer fees, pay for gear, or can be used for any other club soccer related cost.
Players should apply in a short application explaining who they are, what team they play for and what they will use the scholarship for. Players can use the Free/Reduced lunch form as proof of financial hardship or families can send in a copy of their last federal tax returns. The deadline for this Brian Roach award is December 31, 2023. The Brian Roach scholarship committee will respond to all of the applications. The application window for the 2024-25 season is now open.
2. The Brian Roach Coach Education Fund will give out one $300 scholarship to an EMFC coach who displays the following qualities: a commitment to the club and its mission, dedication to learning as an important part of coaching, and a passion for teaching the beautiful game to our players. The award can be used to cover travel cost for a license, US soccer licensing fees, or any other educational cost.
Coaches should apply in a short application explaining who they are, and what they will use the scholarship for. The application deadline is December 31, 2024. The Brian Roach scholarship committee will respond to all of the applications. The application window for the 2024-25 season is now open.
If you want to donate to the Brian Roach Coach Education scholarship Fund directly you can click here.
Donate here.
Brian Roach
Brian grew up playing soccer in Salem, and he coached at Sheldon HS for several years. He started working for Eugene Metro Futbol Club in May of 2006 and coached a number of boys and girls teams in the club. The 95 Rangers, the 91 Extreme, the 94 Phoenix, 97 Boca Juniors, 96 Azzuri, 03 Ajax, 03 Lyon and 00 Sol. Brian believed that “every youth player has potential, given the proper dedication, desire and coaching resources.” He also worked very hard on team spirit and proved that “a team’s success can be measured not only by competitive strength, but also by the attitudes, accountability, and habits of its player.”
Brian stated in his coaching statement in 2006 that his coaching philosophy and “my passion for this, the world’s most beautiful game, that are my greatest assets”. He proved this passion every time he stepped on the pitch.
Over the years, Brian worked with and mentored many of our coaches. I worked alongside Brian when both of us coached the 2003 Ajax boys’ teams. It was a pleasure to work with Brian who always saw the best in his players. Many of his players and families have contacted me over the years and shared their appreciation for Brian’s work, dedication, and commitment. His sarcasm was very humorous and often left us coaches smiling for days. He loved spending time with his family and brought his dad Ron to many practices. His girlfriend Julie learned probably more about soccer than she ever wanted to know. He loved fishing and his cat Beaker and his dog Steve. He shared all his passions with both coaches and players.
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