WESTFIELD, Mass. - Westfield State men's soccer celebrated the life of late head coach John Evans on Saturday, Oct, 14, at halftime of the Owls 1-0 win over Fitchburg State.
Friends, family and alumni gathered to recognize John's life and accomplishments coaching the Owls (photos)
"John exuded this love, this passion for the game of soccer," said his former assistant, Elia Del Molino while speaking to the crowd at halftime, while standing with former player and assistant Kevin Bengle and former Owls head coach Paul Whalley. "Everybody who interacted with [John] felt that. He loved the community that this sport brings, the roller coaster of a win, a loss, a win."
"We were a big family," said current Owls senior Coleby Andrade of playing for Evans. "Soccer had never been more fun … playing with him was an honor. He dedicated so much time and effort to Westfield, and working for him and the team was easy."
John's wife, Elena was escorted on to the field by Westfield State University president Dr. Linda Thompson, where Elena received flowers and several gifts from the team, including a signed soccer ball.
"If you knew him well he loved to talk, he loved his family, he loved his soccer family," she said. "He watched the game, he played the game, he coached the game. He loved it, and Westfield meant a lot to him for the opportunity to be a coach here."
Elena closed her remarks by quoting John, that "with a smile, and a soccer ball, you can make a friend of anyone."
Friends and alumni were invited to the Gameside Homecoming tent to raise a pint in John's memory.
The Owls got some divine intervention late in the game, as Paul Whalley (Paul's grandson) headed home a pass from Ryan Denehy on a set piece with four minutes left in the game to break open a scoreless match and get a 1-0 win over the Falcons.
"We work really hard on set pieces," said Dr. Christopher Streeter, the Owls current head coach who took the reins of the program after Evans retired. "We have a lot of aerial threats and big bodies and it's nice to see that training come to fruition. Ryan Denehy served a perfect ball, and Paul's six-foot-three and he went up and got it and it's in the back of the net."
"It was great day for our soccer program, a big MASCAC win pushes us to the of the heap," said Streeter, a 1998 graduate of Westfield State. "You know, I can't be prouder of the guys. Wonderful supportive crowd with coach Evans' family here, just a real great day for our program and university."