Lucio goes to great lengths to be volunteer soccer coach

— When Jose Lucio attended his son’s Decatur High School soccer games last year, he noticed that coach James Garner was doing everything by himself.

The team - in its sixth season - had a very successful year and made it to the state tournament even though it played in the bigger 4A league. But there were still many tasks that Garner simply didn’t have time to complete on game nights, as he hustled to coach both the boys’ and girls’ teams, he said.

Lucio decided to find a way to help, but it wasn’t easy. After a year of taking classes and tests and undergoing a background check and medical test, Lucio became Decatur’s first registered parent volunteer - certified as a coach through the National Federation of State High School Associations.

The requirements to become a registered volunteer coach included many of the same coaching classes that teachers take, a CPR and first aid class, numerous safety classes, a state police and FBI background check and a tuberculosis test, Garner said.

Lucio now comes to practice and helps coach two hours a day, Monday through Thursday. Arkansas Athletic Association rules prohibit the school from compensating Lucio for his work or even helping him with his educational expenses, Garner said.

“It shows commitment that somebody will spend this much time and money preparing to do this,” Garner said.

Lucio, who has lived in Decatur for the past 15 years, brings a lifetime of soccer experience to the team, Garner said.

“I was born and raised with soccer,” Lucio said.

It has been the main sport he has been involved with throughout his life. In addition to his experience as a player, he coached an adult soccer league in Rogers.

“Coaching is coaching, but kids are different because you have to guide them through and be more careful with them,” Lucio said.

“I appreciate him using his time off work to come help the kids,” Garner said.

Many of the students on the soccer team are his son’s close friends, and Lucio cares for them as if they were his own children, he said.

Most of the kids - 70 to80 percent - don’t play any other sport, he said.

“They’re good kids, but without soccer they wouldn’t have anything elseto do after school except play Xbox,” he said.

It’s much better for the players to be at practice with their friends, working out, Lucio said. He wants students to enjoy their time playing soccer and learn teamwork.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about teamwork and companionship,” Lucio said.

“I’m really glad he has such a strong sense of community,” Garner said.

Lucio has brought a lot to the team and is focusing on helping players improve their basic skills, he said.

“He’s been having a great time, and the boys really respect him,” Garner said. “He primarily works with the boys because his son is on the team, but he doesn’t play favorites.”

Lucio doesn’t think he is doing anything out of the ordinary. The biggest credit should go to Garner, the teachers, principals and superintendent, he said.

Lucio gave an example of math teacher Amy Steele, who is also experienced in cheer leading and gymnastics. Steel took the time to help him develop stretches and a warm-up routine for the players, Lucio said.

“The teachers are here every single day with the kids,” he said. “They really do make a difference and make an impact.”

Sports, Pages 10 on 02/20/2013