THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 1, 1996 TAG: 9604300141
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, BEACON SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
OVER THE YEARS, there have been many influences on Beach District boys soccer.
There are several strong select travel clubs in the city that have molded players, some of whom have gone on to play for their respective age group's national pool teams. The Beach also boasts several athletes who have gone on to play at some of the top Division I programs in the country.
The arrival of professional soccer and a strong program at ODU also have contributed.
It is unlikely, however, that many people would think of the program at Green Run High as playing a role in the development of Beach boys varsity soccer.
But with four of the district's teams having head coaches who played for the Stallions, Green Run is clearly having an impact.
Todd Sherman is at Bayside, Matthew Delaney is at Princess Anne, Chris McVey coaches Tallwood, and Chris Jacobs has returned to coach his alma mater.
They have a winning attitude to pass on to their athletes.
From 1980 to 1987, Green Run was a power in the Beach, winning four district titles and three region crowns and finishing second in the state twice.
McVey played on the 1983 state runner-up team. Sherman was on teams in 1984 and '85 that finished second and lost in the semifinals.
Delaney and Jacobs played from 1986 to 89. While the Stallions didn't win any titles in that era, they were contenders ever year.
All were influenced by coach Bill Varga, who left the program in 1987 to pursue a career in school administration. McVey held the Beach career scoring record of 55 goals until his brother, Danny, of Tallwood broke the mark with 73 goals last year. Even with that kind of accomplishment, McVey said playing for Varga was his best high school memory.
``Everything about playing for (Varga),'' said McVey, who is in his first year as a head coach. ``Going to state, the team, the way we did things . . . those are my best high school soccer memories.''
Sherman was a defensive specialist and remembers the way Varga demanded hard play and work ethic.
``He taught us what it takes to be a winner and I'm trying to instill that in my kids,'' said Sherman, who went on to play at Randolph-Macon and is in his first season at Bayside after serving as the Green Run JV coach last year.
``I remember scoring the fifth goal in a shootout my senior year that forced a playoff against Kempsville. Those were some good times.''
Things were a little different in the years Delaney and Jacobs played at Green Run.
``I attempted to play striker,'' Jacobs said. ``I remember the intensity we used to have every game.''
Delaney played midfield for the Stallions, and it was the Varga practices he remembers most.
``Repetition and perfection,'' he said. ``We ran practices at game speed and he would make us do everything over again if we got sloppy. I run a lot of the same type things now.''
No matter what their specific memories, these four Beach coaches offer a situation believed to be unique in Beach District history. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS
All four of these Beach District head soccer coaches played at Green
Run High School under former coach Bill Varga (see related story).
They are, from left: Chris Jacobs of Green Run, Todd Sherman of
Bayside, Chris McVey of Tallwood and Matthew Delaney of Princess
Anne.
by CNB