Arlington soccer coach up for national recognition

Travel soccer players in Arlington Heights have seen the impact that Stein Garcia of Palatine can make on teams. Now his strength as a coach and motivator is drawing national attention.

Last week, Garcia learned he was one of 19 finalists -- from seven states -- for a national award given by the Positive Coaching Alliance, based in San Francisco.

He is up for the "Double Goal Coach" award, which recognizes coaches that want to win, but also try to instill lifelong values in their players.

"It is truly inspiring to read firsthand how coaches are transforming the culture of youth sports in their communities," says Lindsay Schedeler, program manager with Positive Coaching Alliance.

This year the Alliance received nominations from 14 states, including coaches representing basketball, lacrosse, football, volleyball, wrestling, cross country, softball, and soccer.

Garcia was one of three coaches from Illinois named as a finalist. With him were Steve Clegg, girls cross country and track coach at Lake Forest High School; and Kathy Young, a softball coach with the White Sox Training Academy, based in Lisle.

For years, Garcia had served as a trainer for Arlington Aces travel soccer teams, and more recently coached some of its most successful high school squads. However, a little more than a year ago, Elite Soccer, which provides all the coaches and trainers for the Arlington Aces' Academy program, named him director of coaching.

"He was a very popular trainer, and now the teams that he coaches have done very well," says Jason Meredith, athletics supervisor for the Arlington Heights Park District.

While Garcia now matches qualified coaches with teams, he still finds time to coach some of the squads himself, which boosts the entire program, supporters say.

"Stein runs incredibly crisp practices," says Jim Henegan of Arlington Heights, a former coach and team manager. "The girls move smoothly from one drill to the next, with little wasted time standing around.

"Stein is always encouraging," he adds. "He almost never raises his voice, but he still commands respect."

If Garcia wins the award, he will travel to Stanford University in April, on an all-expense paid trip, to the National Youth Sports Award Dinner, to accept it.