RIP, Stan Glyde
Monday, July 5, 2010 at 10:59 PM I was saddened to learn today of this weekend's death of Stan Glyde, the British immigrant who introduced me to soccer and taught me how to play the drums. Most importantly, he taught me that I could accomplish things if I had the right focus and commitment.
Stan died in Fresno at age 76, and lived a long fruitful life as a musician, teacher and soccer coach. He inspired hundreds of kids to adopt the then strange game of soccer, taught drumming for decades and played regularly with local bands up until early this year. I was school friends in Fresno with his sons David and Shawn, and our parents (including Stan's wife, Emily) remain close to this day.
I met Dave in third grade and soon thereafter was playing soccer on a Holland Elementary School team Stan had inspired and coached. He turned a bunch of misfits who had never played soccer into a championship team. More importantly, he taught us the value of hard work, with daily practices that focused on fitness, fundamental ball skills and teamwork. We were called the Holland Hammers, named after the West Ham United Hammers, Stan's favorite British professional team. I can still visualize our purple and light blue uniforms, colors West Ham continues to use to this day.
