Many thanks

As the 2005 fall soccer season begins to fade into the past, I find myself doing a lot of thinking. There are postseason clean-up issues, ideas and changes in store for next year. As I reflect upon the past couple of months, what enters my mind first is thankfulness.

I'll start with the girls, the Lady Bulldog soccer teams. Spending this time together, working hard, having fun (hopefully), and dealing with whatever adversity came our way has been a wonderful part of my life. I miss you already. Thank you ladies. Roland Franks, my longtime friend and assistant, Alyson Dorr, our JV head coach, Sarah Erickson and Laura Strong, volunteer assistants, thank you for your dedication to the program and the girls. Hey Jay, Donny, and all of you at Northern Physical Therapy, we'd be in a world of hurt without you. These guys should be in the Guinness Book of World Records for going above and beyond. I couldn't say enough to express my appreciation for patching up, working out the kinks, taping and generally trying to keep us in one piece this season.

Also to Kim Van Duzer, the Whitefish High School trainer, for reporting in basically whenever we had to get taped pre-game or pre-trip (no matter how early). Thank you.

I would like to especially acknowledge Midway Rental for their endless generosity and support of our every request. You always came through with whatever emergency need that arose.

Chandler here at the Pilot, Dave Lesnick at the Interlake, Martin at KCFW, Rial et al. at the Missoulian, and Mike at the Free Press, you guys are awesome. I so appreciate the coverage and recognition you give to our deserving student athletes who work so hard.

Parents, too many to name, you know who you are. Without your parenting in the first place, I wouldn't have the opportunity to share a tiny bit of my life with your daughters. Your constant support and help wherever needed is huge. I won't always make the decisions you think are the correct ones, but I will always do what I think is best for your daughters and the team. Thank you for trying to understand.

Finally, but definitely not least important, a huge thanks to the crowds that gathered for our home games, especially the state championship. Whether you were just an all-around Bulldog fan or a soccer enthusiast, you must know what a thrill it is for our kids to have an incredibly loud, supportive crowd cheering you on. We thank you for being there.

I'm always ready at season's end to hang up my cleats for awhile and get reconnected with my home and family, but always excitedly anticipate getting after it again. Again, many thanks for the support help, generosity and time to all of the above listed and any I may have neglected here.

On behalf of the whole team and coaching staff, I would like to congratulate all of the fall sports teams. Hey Bulldogs, not a bad showing at all — two state champs, two runners-up, two quarter finalists, and one fifth place finish. That is something we can all be proud of. Until next fall … Go Bulldogs.

Lini Reading, coach

Whitefish High School

girls soccer