The weather tonight resembles Coach Duerksen's career at NorthWood. Before kick off, a torrential downpour resembles the 1997 season, Coach Duerksen's first year as the Panthers Head Coach (zero wins for all of you readers who have not heard us tell that story). But the game ends under warm and sunny skies much the same way Coach Duerksens career at NW ended with a Final Four and Regional Championship game in 2020. A great turn out tonight with so many former players! The oldest one (Heath Yoder graduated in 2004) and the youngest ones, numerous players from the already legendary 2020 team. And then all the ones in between!. We form two teams of 15 players and with the muggy Florida like conditions, that is about the perfect number. Before kick off, Coach Duerksen gets a plaque from his coaching staff with all his records at NorthWood. Mentioned on the plaque are the 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2014 and 2020 Sectional Champions, the 2020 Regional Championship, the NLC Coach of the Year 2011, 2012 and 2019 as well as the United Soccer Coach of the Year 2020 and Indiana Soccer Coaches Association District Coach of the Year. His overall record of 203-183-44 is listed on it as well. What a great career! Coach Duerksen will be missed as will his entire famliy. All the hours that Maggie has put in behind the scenes during all these seasons, all those soccer camps!! Maggie has probably cut the tops off about 9,670 popsicles thru the years! The coaching staff wants to thank all the former players who came out tonight and we know there were numerous players who were unable to make it. It needs mentioned that the coaches team won by two goals tonight, which might be a first as well. With all the families in the stands it was truly a sign of the soccer family Coach Duerksen has created thru the years at NorthWood. The good thing is that he is not leaving this planet and only moving to Florida and the remaining coaches will organize the next Alumni game where we hope to play again with Skyler, Chase and Coach Duerksen! On a personal note, I want to wish my boss and best friend a lot of succes in Florida in the coming seasons. It has been a great ride with some downs here and there but an awful lot of ups....it has been fun! I will leave all of you with some more impressions from last nights Alumni Game.
