Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 28, 1995 TAG: 9506010035
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C13 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Standing on the sideline in his long black socks and black shorts, Tim Duncan looked like any other official at the Crestar Festival Soccer Tournament. Except he wasn't. He was coaching.
Even before his Pulaski Lightning had been whipped by the Roanoke Star White in a boys' Under-19 game on Field 4 at River's Edge Sports Complex, Duncan had maneuvered over to Field 3, where he worked the sideline during a U-16 game between the Kernersville (N.C.) Comets and the Beckley (W.Va.) Exile.
Duncan is one of many multi-disciplined people working at the tournament, which concludes today with championship play in 25 divisions. The tournament, which is in its ninth year, depends on many folks - including players, coaches and parents - wearing different hats. Or, as in Duncan's case, socks.
Duncan is doing everything short of actually suiting up and playing.
``Actually, I thought I would have to do that, too,'' said Duncan, who was up past midnight Friday trying to make sure he had enough players. The team had 11 for its game against the Star U-19.
``I thought I would have to forge my birth certificate or something.''
Duncan couldn't play, but there are players who referee. Immediately after his team won, Brian Sharp of the Star U-19 squad had to prepare to work as a game official. Bryan Jones, a player for the Star U-17 team, is also working double duty as a player and a referee during the tournament.
``There are probably more [players] refereeing that I just don't know about,'' said Danny Beamer, the executive director of the Roanoke Valley Youth Soccer Club and one of the tournament's directors. ``Normally, we don't like having players referee, but we don't have much choice. As long as they ref games out of their division [they're playing in], it's OK.''
Beamer knows a thing or two about being multi-talented. In addition to being one of the people running the tournament, he coaches the U-19 team that beat Duncan's squad. Last year, he coached two teams in the tournament. Almost immediately after coaching his team to victory, Beamer had to assume his executive pose and take a complaint from another coach about a game official.
There are 184 teams and nearly 3,000 players in this year's Crestar tournament. Many of the teams, including the Star squads, are composed of players from rival high schools who compete against each other during the spring then get together on the same team during the summer and fall seasons.
Bev Biancur coaches the New River Lady Express, a U-19 girls' squad made up of players from arch-rivals Christiansburg and Blacksburg. Those schools began girls' soccer programs this spring, but most of the players have played together in the past. Biancur coached Christiansburg, which beat Blacksburg two of three times.
``It was a physical rivalry,'' said Biancur, who also works as the head trainer at Christiansburg. ``In a way, I'd like to see it toned down.''
This combined team may go a long way toward doing that.
``It's a very intense rivalry in every sport,'' said Katie Daniels, a junior at Blacksburg who plays for the New River team. ``It's different for us [soccer players], because we're all good friends now.''
``I hope we stay friends,'' added Helen Smartt, a junior at Christiansburg who plays for the New River team.
So, it's one big, happy, soccer family at the Crestar tournament. That's why so many folks perform so many tasks.
``All this for the love of soccer,'' said Duncan, as he jogged off one field and onto another.
by CNB