From http://www.cysadistrict2.org/coachpgm.htm

Stephen Liu has been named District II's Girls Coach of the Year for 2007. Steve has volunteered for five years as head coach of the North Valley Tornados, a U16G, Division 1 soccer team with players from Fremont, Milpitas, San Jose, and other neighboring communities.

Steve began his coaching career in 1999 as assistant coach for the Tornados, who were then a U8 recreational team. At the time, he did not have any children and only had limited experience working with kids, but his community-minded spirit, friendly relationships with the players and their families, and love of the game sealed his commitment to this team. The Tornados have been recognized by other teams, coaches, and referees for their sportsmanship, player development, and dedication to the sport. This year, five Tornados were selected for District II ODP teams, and all were selected for their high school teams—with thirteen playing on the varsity level.

Each year, Steve volunteers more than 700 hours to develop practice sessions, plan game strategies, coach the team, and provide personal assessments and guidance for each player. In addition to this time, he also sponsored and organized activities for the Tornados for “Take Your Children to Work” Day at Cisco Systems, participated with the Tornados in the 2007 Relay for Life at Milpitas High School, serves on the North Valley Youth Soccer League board of directors as spring league coordinator, and is a new dad to his six-month old son, Ryan.

"I hope every Tornado prioritizes continuous education.  It's important that players and parents demystify college sports and the process to pursue their goals so they understand what they can do now to give themselves a competitive advantage," said Coach Steve.  "I'm so grateful that Coach Craig prioritizes this too and provided his guidance."

The session was very informative, and covered topics such as:

• College life in general and the importance of deciding the right school for you
• The real demands intercollegiate sports place on student/athletes
• Eligibility rules and selection criteria - the truth about recruitment
• Scholarships and financial assistance
• What players should be doing to prepare themselves now - take active control!

A big, warm Tornado thank you for Craig to volunteer his time.  Go Spartans!

The Tornados survived Campista Loco VI and emerged stronger in fitness, skill, and unity. Steve is very proud of the girls and says, "This was by far the best camp in all the six years we have done this as a team. Participation, intensity, and positive energy were unmatched." Special recognition goes to the following players who made it through with 100% attendance: Amanda, Andrea, Angelica, Briana, Gigi, Helen, Justine, Kristen, Mari, Rachel, and Vanessa! They truly tested their perseverence and demonstrated committment to our theme "Rise Above" for 2007-2008!

Camp days were "extra-wide, double sessions" (two blocks of three-hour practice sessions) from 9AM to 5PM. The weather cooperated and fortuantely stayed relatively cool. The girls really maintained their focus and self-motivation. They pushed themselves in every exercise with minor need for motivation. What a great show of trust, dedication, and heart!

We had attacking and defending themes each day with a major emphasis on communication and identifying "visual cues" for smarter tactical play. We mixed in a variety of fun games in teamwork and communication building. We laughed hysterically as we raced soccer balls across the field without using hands or feet, embarrassing ourselves with "Barnyard Music", and miserably failing to create a good "Leaning Circle". By far, the most popular and most hilarious game was "Tank and Driver" (think total chaos). Every day, we also developed and discussed our team character and brand during lunch time. Themes included the importance of: attitude, work ethic, perseverance, courage, confidence, poise, and integrity. We are, after all, a total package of mind, body, and spirit!

Most of all, the girls really bonded (shared challenge works wonders ;-) and they have really started to play well together. They sweat together, learned together, shared thoughts together, and laughed a ton together. Follow up news articles will share some anonymous responses to various questions Steve had asked them throughout the week. It isn't important who said what. What is important is that a Tornado said them and they are all quite inspiring. You should be proud of having such fine daughters who have finished a huge accomplishment and have all found each other as Tornados!

During the course of the day, the Tornados got to experience:

• A private guided tour of the Executive Briefing Center and Demo room where visiting CEOs and leaders of countries come to discuss the future
• A first look at new Cisco Telepresence technology (pictured)
• Private Q&A sessions with key executives: Sue Bostrom (Senior VP, Chief Marketing Officer), Rebecca Jacoby (Senior VP, Chief Information Officer), Paul McNab (VP, Marketing), and Maria Cannon (VP, Sales).
• Hanging out for the afternoon in the Connected Home Demo Room the home of the future

"I may have been slightly crazed to bring 15 teens to work, but there was an opportunity to expose them to more than just soccer.  It will be a day I'll remember for a long time, probably as the most "fun" day I've had at "work" in 12 years," said Steve.  "There was one rule.  It was the same simple rule the team had to follow any time we venture out into public... hotels, etc.  'Don't embarass me!', " he continued.  Fortunately, the Tornados behaved wonderfully.

Congratulations to all the Tornado players! They have successfully completed Campista Loco VI with flying colors! Tornado summer soccer camp has traditionally been an initiation into the new season. For 6 days, players test themselves physically and mentally in the ultimate sacrifice to themselves and their teammates. Most importantly, it is a time to align mindset and attitude to create a strong team bond.

I am very pleased with the positive outlook that the players share for the game, the season, and their teammates. I asked the Tornados the question: "Why Are The Tornados Special To You?" This is what they wrote. I am posting them anonymously because it isn't important to know who wrote what. The important thing is that someone on the team wrote these things and your daughter is one of them!

• I am VERY proud to be a Tornado because of the dedication and love this team has to the game and to each other. We work hard, but we also know how to play hard. We have a ton of fun!
• I enjoy being a Tornado because I don’t think there is a better relationship between the players and the coach than on our team. Like I’ve said before, the Tornados are my second family. If I am struggling, my “sisters” are there covering me. This team has helped me get through some pretty tough things in my life (since it’s in the past, don’t ask). I never worry about having no one there when I’m the last one across the finish line. My teammates are always there cheering me on.
• I like this team better than any other team I’ve been on because of the people, talent, and the desire to succeed and work hard.
• I am proud to be a Tornado because the people are nice and are helping me to be a better soccer player.
• The Tornados are special to me because they train skill and they always give 110% effort. They never give up and always work hard. We are always improving. So while being extemely tough, we still always find a way to have fun together.
• I think that if you have a great team like this one, you will play forever. I think the people on this team will still love soccer enough to be playing in college and beyond. Unlike other teams I’ve been on in the past, we have cool skills AND friendships!
• We may not be there yet, but we will be champions. We all have strong bonds with each other and if we keep that bond, our teamwork can help us win, be recognized by others, and simply be the best out there.
• I am proud to be a Tornado because “We-R-Fam-i-lee!” On my old team everyone blamed each other for mistakes or for losing. On this team, we always stick together!
• I like being a Tornado because I feel like I belong with my teammates. When new girls come on the team, we instantly become friends. I also believe that we have all the potential in the world and all we have to do is make that potential into a reality.
• I am proud to be a Tornado because I love my sistahs! Everyone is very nice and helpful. Duh!
• I am a Tornado because when I tried out, I liked the atmosphere, the positive attitude of the coach, and I was happy with the good skills of the team during the first scrimmage I went to.
• I am proud to be a Tornado because of the comraderie that all the players share. I think this team is one of the most dedicated teams to soccer and to each other. They pour their heart and soul into the game and give it everything they’ve got, win or lose.
• The Tornados are special to me because we aren’t like other teams who just play on the field. We are all best friends which makes it easier to play on the field. We all hang out together and unlike other teams we’re really cool!
• I am a Tornado because we appreciate hard work and we go through hard work together and have a good time doing it.

Ever wonder why Steve had selected certain nicknames for players? Is there rhyme or reason? Sometimes no... but sometimes yes! I'll do my best to give you the history.

The Tornados strung together 6 solid games over the Labor Day weekend at the Silicon Valley Tournament to emerge undefeated and capture the championship in the Girls U-15 Class 1 silver division! They displayed maturity and discipline to finish with a 5-0-1 record with 12 goals scored and 2 goals allowed. It was a grueling weekend to play 2 games each day over the three day period, but the Tornados proved they had the fitness and composure could get them through.

The weekend challenged the Tornados in many ways. It was wonderful to watch the Tornados overcome those challenges... not as a few individuals, but collectively as a team. When a player struggled, others stepped in to elevate themselves. It seemed that everyone had a moment to make a difference and they did it when it really counted.

Personally, I am extremely happy and proud of the girls on this team. I believe I speak for all the team when I say it was a crowning moment that had a lot of sentimental significance. The team has been working hard for about 18 months to "rebuild" ourselves. During that time, we stuck to our two core principles: committment and attitude and believed that time will create the skill and talent to beat our opponents. Along the way, our faith and dedication was tested many times. There were ugly losses and disappointing "almost could have done it" moments. This weekend, it finally "all came together". This is surely not the end, but it is an excellent proof point that we are on the right track. If anything, we have learned a valueable lesson in perseverance.

So ladies, congratulations! Let's keep building for the future and keep knowing that all the extra effort you do eventually will pay dividends

The Tornados recently returned from playing in our annual "out-of-state" summer tournament in Southern California. As always, the tournament was fun and a great experience. However, this year was a little extra special as unique challenges presented some opportunities for Tornados to rise to excellence.

Due to numerous vacation plans and unexpected injuries, the team was forced to face the weekend with a line up of only 10 players. We were to play anywhere from four to 6 games that weekend not only without substitutes, but also a player down. Essentially that equates to approximately 240 minutes of soccer without relief with the added expectation to give %110 to make up for the player imbalance. All this against four teams from a strong SoCal soccer community. I was nervous.

However, what I witnessed that weekend was motivating to me beyond belief. The girls played 4 solid games without one complaint. They needed to be fit, persistent, and smart to hold. The first three games ended in ties, and sheer bad luck prevented them from being wins. The first game saw a goal directly bent in from a corner kick called back for "out of bounds". The second game had an equalizer scored by the challenging team in the last few minutes of the game where fatigue certainly started to show. The third game was solid until the end where we narrowly missed a go-ahead opportunity high in the far corner. The girls had managed to get through three tough games undefeated, and narrowly turning those ties into wins... all with 10 players.

Looming ahead of them in the fourth and final game was the San Diego Surf who had soundly beaten all the other teams in the bracket. It was the fourth game in a long weekend. We were tired. We were sore. We had just played 180 minutes without a break. We even played with 9 for short periods of time for minor injuries. Yet the Tornados were fired up before that game. They had played 3 great games in a row and began to look like a team that craves overcoming adversity. And they played the Surf brilliantly. The girls were patient, purposeful, and moved off the ball urgently and challenged with intensity. We narrowly missed a few good scoring opportunities. Then Surf put a goal in that was arguably offside.

They were not discouraged and played with the same intensity until the end. And though they lost that last game 1-0, they certainly won the hearts of all that watched them that weekend. I heard many comments from non-Tornado observers that weekend. And though they also didn't go undefeated (0-1-3), they went 4 for 4 in coach compliments. Every coach that weekend shook my hand and asked me something along the lines of, "How do you get those girls to play with such heart? I wish I could for my team." To me, that is the biggest compliment I can hear about the Tornados. Because that is something much harder to teach than how to kick a ball properly, or how to run faster, or how to score goals. That is something that is built over time through the efforts of players, parents, and coaches. So my response was, "I guess I'm just lucky that way." (What, do you expect me to give away our best secrets? ;-)

And in true Tornado style, we work hard and we play hard. The road trip was a blast and the girls BARELY managed to uphold my one steadfast rule in the hotel... "Don't embarass me!" We had an awesome time at Disneyland. But, the highlight to the antics was singing karaoke (Hollaback Girl - by Gwen Stefani) to a crowded restaurant. I'll never hear that song the same way ever again... ;-)

Well, it was years in the making, but it finally happened! Steve and Leslie got married on July 1, 2006 at Palmdale Estates in Fremont. Tornados from today and yesterday were there in full effect. It was hard to recognize them without shinguards, ponytails, and sweat on their faces :-)

The food must have been good. The Tornados hit the buffet two, three, and I think maybe four times (Mari!). They got to meet Steve's famous aunt (the big liar!) and the rest of the family and friends. In the end, they even got to cut a rug with Steve (now I know who has rhythm!) and built their own Conga Line. Thanks to Jesus, Amanda, Angelica, Danielle, Elizabeth, Julia, Kristen, Liz, Mari, Rachel, Sarah, and Vanessa for coming. The wedding certainly was energized by your presence ;-)

Special thanks to Dani and Julia for working the video camera. The commentary is hilarious! Also, my warmest thanks to the Tornados of the past, Amanda, Boo, Desiree, Emily, Hayley, and Melina for coming and showing that you are forever Tornados at heart! It makes me feel great that this team is still special to you guys!

Yeah, what makes these girls pursue a game with complete passion and intensity? Why do they force parents to get up at 4AM or drive 200 miles or sit for two hours in the rainy, windy, chilly Winter? Let's ask and find out!

• I love the game! It’s fun and exciting! I love to be aggressive and LOUD! I like it when I accomplish things I couldn’t do before.
• I love the sport and spending time with my teammates. I also love the feeling of juking someone!
• Soccer makes me feel good. It teaches me discipline, patience, and teamwork. Obstacles like being unfit are a challenge and when you practice, you solve them. You build friendships and confidence too.
• It’s fun. I like the people, the atmosphere, the sport, the traveling, the color of our uniforms, the work put into playing, and the lessons discovered.
• I like to feel like I am part of a team that works together. I also like how when you are on the field, you forget about all the problems of life and focus on the game. Finally, I like to be competitive and I like the satisfaction of winning.
• Soccer has this amazing thrill like when you’re on a breakaway or you’re saving a goal and the crowd is cheering for you. It feels great. It’s a good way to exercise. It’s a team sport so you can make a lot of friends.
• It’s fun and I love my soccer tan.
• I enjoy the sport and the friendships it creates. It’s my life and my second family. It keeps me in shape. It lets me vent when someone gets on my nerves!
• Is a fun way to exercise, meet new people, make new friends, learn new skills, and express myself. It’s nice to have something that you are good at too. And even though it’s sometimes hard and challenging, it feels great to win and accomplish things both small and big.
• Soccer is a great sport. You learn a lot. When I tell people that I play, they respect me. And, every year I get better and when I do well, it makes me feel good inside.
• Unlike other sports that are just about how physically in shape you are, or how buff you are, soccer is about technique and how strong your will is to improve it.
• It is a sport that gives me a sense of accomplishment when I make a good play or do a drill correctly. It also gives me a way to express myself and if I’m angry I can vent.
• I love the challenge of leadership. I play to stay in shape, and I love the girls surrounding me!
• I get to play a great game with the friends I love.

At camp, we discussed how this team has a lot to prove to ourselves and our peers. We discussed that this year has the Tornados often facing these challenges as an underdog. We discussed what that means and how Tornados face challenge:

1. "A Tornado is someone who looks challenge in the face, and however hopeless it might feel, she takes it head on with all her might because she believes it is the right thing to do. And win or lose, she knows she is a champion because she has been brave enough to believe in herself and is confident she has done all she can."
2. "It doesn't matter how many say it cannot be done or how many people have tried it before; it's important to realize that whatever you're doing, it's your own attempt at it."

Here's what they had to say:

• I view the challenge of being the underdog as an opportunity to prove the un-believers wrong. I see it as a chance to shine and blow away expectations.
• We don’t have the expectation of winning and when we do win, it's a great feeling and a big deal!
• Many wrongly think teams are underdogs because they are really bad teams. I think underdogs are just not well-known teams that are not expected to win. I’d like to be an underdog that ends up winning. Then we could be a top team. That’s the next step in the staircase!
• I know what it feels like and it’s not very easy. But, I think that it just makes you work so much harder to be the very best and come out on top. We have less to lose and a lot to gain.
• I feel that this opens up a lot of opportunities for us. We aren’t under the pressure of maintaining our place and can only get better. We have a goal to work towards. We can come up from behind and take the so-called better teams down.
• We can do it if we WORK HARD and BELIEVE!
• I feel both bad and good. I feel bad because we should be able to be champions. I feel good because other teams may underestimate us and in the end we will win and be on top!
• We can make things happen that no one else expects. We can go to the top and then be feared. Everyone cheers for the underdog teams deep down inside. We can be cheered for too!
• I feel that underdog doesn’t mean favored to lose, just more to prove. If you’re an underdog, you really have NOTHING to lose. You can put everything into a desired game and not have to worry about the consequences of losing. It just provides you with more experience. It gives you the chance to prove everyone wrong and show them what hard work, dedication, passion, and sweat can do.
• I think being an underdog teaches you that you always have to be ready to play. You always have to be ready for a challenge, and you have to work together to succeed.

The girls were taught to distinguish the difference between a goal (what you strive to attain and what you keep focused on during inevitable failure) and expectations (what you can control and what you should judge your success against.) Here is a list of what players hopes and goals are for the team, and what they personally will hold themselves accountable for along the journey.

The Tornados finished the 2005-2006 season with a big bang! We went to the Milpitas bowling lane and replaced our cleats with the lastest trends in bowling footwear (sadly a standard since 1950) and spent the afternoon chucking 14 pound balls across hardwood floors. Woo hoo!

We had fun watching Elisa try to pick up a ball as big as her. Melina ended up as top bowler. The rest of the team really showed the gutter who was boss. Quite a few pizzas were killed in the process too. At least no one dropped the ball on their foot to take themselves out for the season.

It was also coach Steve's birthday. Sarah and Julia thoughtfully baked Steve a cake. One thing though, I'm not 40. Nice try though guys. Xp The added bonus: it was decorated as a clown with a knife in it's head! See the picture! Everyone knows how much Steve hates clowns... so he says "Thanks! One less clown, one step closer to a better world!" Then out of nowhere, the clown attacked Steve. Briana smashed a piece of the clown cake in his face. Revenge is currently being plotted. It will come out of nowhere when you least expect it!

On April 24, six Tornados took part in the Stanford 4v4 tournament and finished in second place! This was quite an accomplishment as this was the first tournament that we have played together as a team. The weather was great and both players and parents had a blast hanging out all day together.

The girls looked really good in their first outing together. They focused on a controlled, quick passing game and ended the morning a perfect 3-0 with a couple of close matches. After a little Jamba Juice and muffins for lunch, the girls had a few good laughs as we chilled out for a couple of hours just getting to know each other better. Sarah came real close to earning her nickname... "It Wasn't Me, Welker". :-)

The afternoon began with the Tornados assigned to the upper flight. After a narrow loss in game 4, I was impressed with how well they bounced back to play tough and focused to win game 5. The girls came together on their own to decide just what needed to be done. I was especially encouraged to see this amount of "self-coaching". With minimal guidance from myself, they decided what they wanted to do, how they wanted to warm-up, and how they wanted to play. I always enjoy the times I can just be an active spectator! ;-)

The championship title came down to the final game and a win would have sealed the deal. The Tornados were ahead with only a few minutes to go when our opponent (Burlingame) buried one in the net to tie the game. With seconds to go, Sarah nearly put in the winning goal, but it rattled off the post instead... bummer! Although we didn't find the net in the final minutes, the way the team chose to fight hard until the end was a great display of Tornado character and clearly indicative of the great times to come!

Hats off to the following Tornados! Pictures from the event are in the Albums section.