ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, June 27, 1996 TAG: 9606270020
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: N-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JAMES TOLLIVER JR. STAFF WRITER
HIS soccer career began when he played on the first team in the Roanoke Valley as an adolescent. He got hooked. And now, after 21 years of playing and coaching soccer, Johnny Sarber is a catalyst in turning a novice team into the region's first state champions.
Sarber is the coach of the 13 and under Roanoke Star Soccer Team, which won the 1996 Virginia State Cup Championship in Richmond. It was the first Southwest Virginia team to ever win the state championship.
"It is very difficult for me to to describe my feelings for the team," Sarber said. "Their accomplishment was truly historical."
Sarber's father, John Sarber Sr., was instrumental in bringing the world's most popular sport to Roanoke. The senior Sarber admits he knew nothing of the game when the team was established. "When we started soccer here, I didn't know what a soccer ball was," he said, laughing. "My first time watching a soccer game, I was the assistant coach."
Sarber's father may not have known who Pele was, but his son learned the game well. From his first experience on a recreational team in the mid-'70s, Sarber went on to play soccer for the Generals at Washington and Lee University.
"I wasn't that good in anything else," Sarber said. "Everybody could always fit in playing soccer."
It is obvious that the players "fit in" on Sarber's team. They came close to the championship last year - reaching the final four, then losing to the Virginia Beach Desperados.
This year, the Star got past the first hurdle, by defeating the Spotsylvania Hot Spurs. Then the only thing standing between them and the championship were the defending champs, the Midlothian Blast.
Goalie Charley Patterson didn't allow any goals during the final four. But Matt Dishner scored, to give the Star a 1-0 victory over the Blast.
"The primary reason we won was because we played as a team," Sarber said. "We had one goal and that was to work together as one."
The Star advances to the Region I playoffs in Niagara Falls, N.Y., on Saturday, which brings together state champions throughout the Northeast.
The coach believes the key to the Star's success so far is its ability to control the ball in the open field.
"We keep possession," Sarber said. "That way we make others chase us."
Sarber has a remedy - which he used in the state championship - just in case the team is nervous.
"I did the 'Hoosiers' (based on the movie) routine," Sarber said. "I told them that the field is the same size as ours, our opponents are the same age as you, and we are the same team. I didn't want us to change what we had been doing."
There doesn't appear to be any need for change; the Star has won four tournaments this year -including the Crestar tournament this spring and the First Virginia Bank Fall Classic. The team was honored by the mayor at a recent Roanoke City Council meeting.
"This is a real feather in the cap for the city, coach and guys on the team," said Douglas Butler, who does publicity for the Star. "Johnny does a great job with the guys."
"Johnny has a great attitude. He doesn't ask the guys to do anything he wouldn't try himself," said Cathy Bear, the team manager.
The Roanoke Star isn't having any trouble getting players.
When the Roanoke Youth Soccer Club recently had tryouts for next year's Star teams, approximately 600 athletes from various age groups showed up. Soccer players do not have to be from Roanoke to be in the club.
"We deal with some college coaches who advise the players to come to Roanoke," said Danny Beamer, executive director of Roanoke Youth Soccer Club. "We have a great coach here who truly understands the game."
"For me to coach the team that represents Virginia in Region I is such an honor," said Sarber. "I've never been prouder to be with a soccer team in my life."
For more information about the Roanoke Youth Soccer Club, call 772-3871.
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: 1. Members of the 13 and under Roanoke Star Soccer Teamby CNBinclude (front row, from left): Donny Smith, Matt Dishner, Bryce
Gannon, Kris Keilman, Michael Kraemer, Alborz Fatheddin, Zac
Hellkamp, Gilby Butler, Raymie Equi; (back row, from left) coach
Johnny Sarber, Michael Bear, Glenn Grunewald, Charley Patterson,
Stephen Platt, Brian Pirkle, John Hartman 2. Sarber (headshot)
color.