In Pursuit Of A Championship

Check out the coaching records page. It is a work in progress and will be updated as more records are verified.

Current Ozark Tigers and former Kickapoo Chiefs Head Soccer Coach, Tom Davidson, reached the 500 Win mark this Spring. An abridged version of the article for the book can be found on SGFsoccer.com.

The success would continue for Davidson as he continued to build on the Kickapoo tradition. In 1995, his team captured the first of six District Titles under his leadership and advanced to the State Quarterfinal, losing just three games in the process. In 1996, however a very talented Chiefs team made history by reaching the Final Four and finishing in a tie for 3rd Place. Tom’s top memory from coaching came in 1996 in the State Quarterfinal against Columbia Hickman. “They had beat us 3 weeks earlier in the regular season. They had beaten us 5-0. So just overcoming all those odds, It’s still one of those classic moments. Us being up 2-0, and then them coming back and tying it. It went to 12 Penalty Kicks. I’ll never forget any of that. Kickapoo won the Penalty Kick Shootout 10-9.

To read more of the article, click here.

Rolla Bulldogs Head Soccer Coach, Mike Howard, reached the 500 Win mark this Spring. An abridged version of the article for the book can be found on SGFsoccer.com.

The Bulldog program under Mike Howard has been very successful. In 17 seasons as Head Coach, Howard has compiled a record of 264-124-34, including a Team record 22 wins in 2002. During his tenure the Bulldogs have made it to the District Final 14 times (every year since 1993, except 2000) – coming out victorious ten times, made four State Quarterfinal appearances and one trip to the Final Four.

But that is only half of the story. In 1996, Rolla started a girls soccer program. That first year, the Lady Bulldogs posted a record of 14-6-0. It is the only season the they haven’t reach the District Final. In 1997, RHS made their first District Final appearance, losing in Overtime to Kickapoo.

To read more of the article, click here.

Welcome to “In Pursuit Of A Championship: The History of High School Soccer in Southwest Missouri”. This is the internet home of the upcoming book by Nick Schmitt. The book is a work in progress with an anticipated completion date of Fall 2009 (We’ll see if the timeline works out, this is my first attempt at writing a book). Check back often for sneak peeks.

None of this would be possible without the help of Steve “Ole” Olson of SGFsoccer.com, so please visit his site to stay up to date on what is happening in the world of soccer in Southwest Missouri.