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Light Drizzle Fog/Mist Successful season nearing completion for Eagles
This fall, the fields at Lenox Elementary School have been packed with kids from pre-K to fifth grade who are learning the sport of soccer on the weekends. The Baldwin Eagles Soccer Club had its largest turnout in more than 20 years for its fall intramural season and Eagles’ officials say it’s been a great season so far.
Bob Gandley, the Eagles’ treasurer, has been involved with the organization for 22 years. He coached for 18 of those years as his three children played soccer. When his son finished playing four years ago, Gandley decided to stay with the group to help out in a more administrative capacity. He also handles the Eagles’ registration, which made him busy this year.
Kurt Billouin, the vice president of the intramural program, had two children who played for the Eagles, and he also decided to stay involved with the club after his children moved on. Billouin, who is from Trinidad, played semi-professional soccer years ago and looks to teach young children the game he loves.
Gandley, who grew up in Brooklyn, didn’t have a soccer background when Bob Walters, the Eagles president for more than three decades, asked him to coach a team 22 years ago. “I never played soccer in my life,” he said. “I played, football, baseball and hockey, but there was no soccer in Brooklyn.” He attended some training seminars and was paired about with another coach who had soccer experience to learn his way. From there, he grew to love it.
Billouin said the most important things for kids in the intramural league is to learn how soccer is played and to have fun.
The Eagles also have a travel division that plays its home games at Baldwin Park for kids ages 9 to 19.
The Eagles’ membership has continued to grow over the last few seasons, Gandley said, and they’re now looking to cap off their most successful campaign. The season, which began in mid-September, is scheduled to finish on Thanksgiving weekend.
