WCSC has seen several changes over the past few years. The devlopment of new
additional game and practice fields, the move to small sided soccer for the
Under-6's and Under-8's, the development of an Internet Web site, use of pre-printed
registration forms, and many other changes.
The one thing that has kept fairly constant over the years is the average number
of players in the Club. Even though we have some that graduate and move on in their
lives, Phillips and other companies in town transfer people into and out of town,
the influx of new people always seems to offset those that are leaving. Our numbers
have usually been between 900 and 1000 players participating each season, with the
recreational program comprising 75% and the competitive program comprising 25%.
The Adams lake fields and the Silver Lake fields were both developed mainly
as practice fields. However due to the large number of players and teams in the program,
the Adams Lake fields have become game fields. The Adams Lake complex recently had
trees planted at the site by the City in appreciation of Arbor Day. Someday soon
they will provide needed shade during those hot half time talks.
The Silverlake fields are used as practice fields. These fields are still being developed.
We have had a lot of support in getting the parking lot constructed as well as getting
the complex in good condition. The High School team also uses these fields for practice
in the late spring.
Washington County Soccer Club Officers for 1995 are (front from left), Bill Whitte, field administrator; Dan Wieder, president; Mike Makvand, secretary; (Back row, from left) Dan Schultes, games committee chairman, Dan Gordon, vice-president (Bartlesville); Chuck Linn, past president; Roger Stone, registrar; and Dee Friend, coaches coordinator. Those not pictured are Teressa Marshall, vice-president (Copan); Marvin Neuschafer, treasurer; Rex Bobsein, competitive coordinator; Alan Ford, referee coordinator, Brent Wosel, game and field scheduler; and Kyle Reeder, equipment coordinator.
In 1995 Evan Eastman approached the WCSC Board with an Eagle Scout project.
He wanted to construct a permanent bulletin board at the Benbrook fields for the
Club. Evan completed this project in 1995 and although there has been some vandalism
with the bulletin board, it is getting constant use and is a welcome addition to
the complex.
In 1996, GCSA adopted small sided soccer, according to the USYSA Guidelines. The Under-8 program went to 4v4 soccer and the Under-10 program went to 8v8. The Under-6 program also became more structured adopting a 3v3 program. Although these programs met a certain amount of disagreement, it is clear that the small-sided program enables the player to have more touches on the ball and develop soccer skills more quickly at an early age.
Returning Bruin Varsity Soccer player, Curtis Lehman, was not even born when his
family moved to Bartlesville in July of 1978. Washington County Soccer Clhb was in
its beginning phase with 10 teams competiting that year. Curt's father, Neal Lehman,
coached one of those teams. In 1979, 26 teams competed and Neal continued to coach
and referee and also assumed the position of Games Commitee Chairman. His wife, Marilyn,
was the Treasurer of the organization. Both of their sons, Scott and Bryan, played
in the soccer program.
Equipment, rosters, schedules and trophies filled the Lehman's downstairs. One would
think there was no room for a new baby. But no so! Curt Lehman was born in 1980,
the same year that his father was elected President of the Washington County Soccer
Club. The growth was phenomenal that year and has proven to be one of Bartlesville's
finest youth programs.
Curt's older brother, Scott, was one of the leading scorers on the first Bruin varsity
soccer team.
It seems only fitting that the Lehman's youngest son, Curt, a senior at Bartlesville
High School, is a member of the Washington County Soccer Club's U19 Boys comeptitive
team and is participating in the fall program that will mark the club's 20 year anniversary.
This team, coached by Chuck McClain, just won the 1998 GCSA Invitational Tournament
in Tulsa, playing in over 100 degree heat all three days of the Labor Day tournament.
We all wish this great sports program the very best and we commend all the players
and volunteers that have made this program what it is today.
In the Fall of 1998, WCSC decided to eliminate the first place trophies for the Under-10 division, being replaced by participation medals for all Under-10 players.
WCSC purchases land near Oak Park for new soccer fields. The fields, to be called the Gerard Fields, were purchased with money from the recent Bond Issue.