February 5, 2005

Real Parent's of the Year
Tisha and Calvin Chipman

This incredible couple has been dedicated to teaching and supporting Youth Soccer in Cache Valley for the last 7 years. They have been tireless in their service to the Program.

Tisha has served as the Recreational Referee Coordinator in our local program in Lewiston for the last three years. She has tirelessly worked to make sure that her youth referees were well trained by holding several "refresher" meetings at her home in addition to the clinics that they attend each season. She also assigns the referees, then observes them and then privately critiques their performance, always encouraging their improvement. In an environment where most areas have a hard time holding a youth referee for an entire season, she has cultivated an enthusiastic group of more than a dozen with 3 or more years experience. She is an unwavering advocate for her youth referees. I know she personally volunteers more that 20 hours a week throughout the recreational season for the good of the program. Although working with the referees is her love, she has also coached for three or more years, helped with registration, done scheduling, marked fields, and helped organize and run our local Tide Cup Recreational Tournament for the last 2 years.

Calvin has also volunteered much of his time to the program. He has coached in the recreation program for 3 years, and coached a Competitive team for several seasons. He is a conscientious coach, who emphasizes work ethics and team play at any level he coaches. His personal integrity and character have been inspiring for all of those that have played for him. He has also volunteered countless hours just helping out where ever help was needed.

In addition to all that they have done for our local program, they also attend and participate in all of their children's soccer related activities. They have two of their seven children playing competitive soccer, three of their children playing recreational soccer, and two of their children working as USSF certified referees. I think there are very few games and practices that either Calvin or Tisha have missed. And when they aren't chasing practices, games or tournaments, you can find them, with their children, playing soccer in their backyard. They are also involved in service in their community and Church, but it's their involvement in Youth Soccer that is unrivaled in this area. Can you imagine a greater commitment to the cultivation of Youth Soccer in Utah than Tisha and Calvin Chipman?