Ray Woodard

Ray Woodard (born c. 1937; died July 16, 2009) popularized the game of soccer in Alabama as the coach of the high school boys' soccer team at Indian Springs School.

Woodard was an All-American soccer player at the College at Brockport (State University of New York), which shared the 1955 national title with Penn State University. He began his career in education as a science teacher in New York but was recruited to Indian Springs to teach physical education and coach basketball, track and volleyball. He founded the school's soccer team in 1963.

For the next several years, Woodard's teams had to travel out of state to find opponents. Eager to develop interest in the sport in Alabama, he tirelessly encouraged prospective players everywhere in the state and held instructional clinics for players, coaches and referees. He organized the Dixie League of high school teams in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. He went on to found a girl's team at Indian Springs in 1975 and to organize a statewide tournament.

Woodard, who retired in 1997 with a record of 396-228-70, was by far the state's winningest coach. He was named "National Boy's Coach of the Year" by U. S. Youth Soccer in 2002. The metro area's coach of the year award is named in his honor.

Woodard suffered an aneurysm and stroke in 1997 and experienced declining health. He died of kidney failure in 2009. He was survived by his wife, Mary, four children, 23 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

References

• Megginson, Chris (July 17, 2009) "Legendary soccer coach Ray Woodard dies." Shelby County Reporter
• Crenshaw, Solomon Jr (July 17, 2009) "Ray Woodard, the father of soccer in Alabama, dead at 72." The Birmingham News
• Chandler, Kim (September 13, 2009) "He got soccer kicking in Alabama." The Birmingham News