Eric recalls many diving explorations in the Sea of Cortez (Baja California) he enjoyed with his father, as well as his father’s love of soccer and the Green Bay Packers. Rob’s passion for soccer was passed on to Eric.

Rob was also a great supporter and avid fan of Staples soccer.

Services for family and friends were held in Texas and Mexico City.

Contributions in Rob’s name may be made to Staples soccer’s Top of the Hill Team, c/0 5 Pritchard La., Westport, CT 06880

The Wreckers have 8 home matches, and 8 away. Their lone Saturday contest — September 22 — will be “Alumni Day.” A very tough part of the slate starts October 1, with an away game in Norwalk. Trumbull (away), Greenwich (home) and Darien (home) quickly follow.

The season ends just as brutally: with Westhill (home), New Canaan (home) and Danbury (away), in the span of 6 days.

“Of course, this is the FCIAC — every game can be a killer,” says head coach Dan Woog. “Right now, our goal is to be ready for anything when the season starts on September 11.”

Because there are 19 league teams, but the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) allows only 16 regular season games, the Wreckers miss 2 opponents. This year, those teams are Stamford and Bassick.

To view the entire schedule — including pre-season — click here, or select “This Season” from the tab at the top of www.StaplesSoccer.com.

Noah Bender -- and his teammates -- must be in top form by September 11. (Photo by Carl McNair)

Rob Millock

Rob Millock

Now, after graduating from Harvard University — where he was a 4-year starter, team captain, MVP and All-Ivy selection — Rob is back in the area.

And ready to share his soccer talents with young Westporters.

“With 20+ kids and only 1 or 2 coaches, sometimes it can be difficult to get the individual attention necessary to improve,” Rob says, referring to players on premier, travel and recreational teams.

“I’m offering training sessions to individuals and small groups, for kids of all ages.  Whether trying to make the freshman or varsity team, or simply to improve basic skills, I will design sessions that will help you reach your goals.”

For more information, email robert.millock@gmail.com.

Let the striker and Watermelon Cup stalwart describe it:

Igor Pikayzen

Please join me as I celebrate my 3rd and final year at Yale (pending approval of the orchestra and dean’s offices) with another lengthy and pretentious recital!

Following Handel-Thompson’s “Passacaglia,” which is unfamiliar to all those who are not violinists from the USSR, you’ll  enjoy the rather popular Beethoven “D Major Sonata,” and the much maligned Bach “A Minor Sonata” for violin solo.

For those arriving after intermission, the menu consists of 3 Paganini caprices, the gorgeous “Poème Élégiaque” of Ysaye, the charming yet ominous Shostakovich preludes, and the dashingly brilliant Wieniawski “D Major Polonaise.”

All above-mentioned adjectives are a direct result of my 7 years of top-quality college education. In lieu of flowers, imported beer will be accepted. Hope to see you there!

The Octathlon — open to all returning varsity players, as well as juniors on last fall’s JV team — features a different event every month. Each competition is designed by a different junior. Upcoming events include a 5K race, paintball and fishing.

Walker Marsh was in charge of bowling. He chose the venue (Rip Van Winkle Lanes), and designed the format (2-man teams; 3 games each) and points system (awarded for the team with the highest total score and runner-up team, plus individuals with the highest game and most strikes).

Ryan Petersen was the big winner. He and James Hickok amassed the highest 3-game score (632); Ryan also had the highest individual game (120) and most strikes (7).

Finishing 2nd were the team of Walker Marsh and Jon Denowitz.

With players receiving 1 point for competing, the totals after 1 event are:

Ryan Petersen: 21
James Hickok: 11
Jon Denowitz: 2
Walker Marsh: 2
Noah Bender: 1
Ethan Bradeen: 1
Joe Greenwald: 1
Tucker Rizzi: 1
Jack Scott: 1

The Octathlon of Champions bowling event included (from left) Jon Denowitz, Ryan Petersen, James Hickok, Walker Marsh, Joe Greenwald, Jack Scott, Ethan Bradeen and Noah Bender. Also competing: Tucker Rizzi.

Tryouts begin on Saturday, August 25. Four days later — on Wednesday, August 29 — the Wreckers host Newtown. The SWC powerhouse was penciled in for 2011, but the match was canceled in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

Two days after Newtown — on Friday, August 31 — Staples hosts Wethersfield. That game — a kickoff to Labor Day weekend — is an annual, and much-anticipated, event.

On Tuesday, September 4, the Wreckers travel north to always-tough Glastonbury.

Thursday, September 6 brings Fairfield Prep to town. Though the 2 schools are less than 5 miles apart, they have never met. The Jesuits made a strong run through the state LL tournament last fall, and return most players.

Pre-season competition concludes on Saturday, September 8 with Wethersfield’s annual jamboree, a round-robin affair that also honors 9/11 victims from that town and Westport.

“Pre-season is very important,” said head coach Dan Woog.  “We use it to figure out who plays well where, and in what combinations.  We see what we need to work on.  And our players learn that there are a number of good teams out there. I’m already excited. This should be one of our best pre-season schedules ever.”

Dylan Hoy will help lead the pre-season charge a few months from now. (Photo by Carl McNair)

(Starting this fall, Academy rules prohibit players from also playing for their high schools.)

The former Gatorade National Player of the Year said that he spent his junior year at the IMG Academy in Florida, but returned to play his senior year with the Wreckers.

Kyle talked about how much the experience meant to him, noting: “All the people on The Hill cheering me on — and I loved the camaraderie.”

We look forward to welcoming Kyle — one of the Wreckers’ most loyal fans — back to The Hill this fall.

She weighed in at 7 pounds, 3 ounces, and was 21 inches long.  Daughter, mom and Eric — along with grandparents Carl and Linda Volckmann — are all doing fine.

Evelyn Mae Volckmann

The National Soccer Coaches Association of America gave the Wreckers a Team Academic Award — one of only 3 boys soccer teams in Connecticut to be so named.

To qualify, a squad must have a 3.25 grade point average of all varsity players.  The award is given for the previous academic year.  In 2010, Staples’ 25 varsity players had an average GPA of 3.38. That was .01 higher than the previous year’s award-winning squad.

“I’ve always said that our players are some of the smartest and most creative people at Staples,” said head coach Dan Woog.  “We want our guys to be as strong in the classroom as they are on the field.  What’s especially gratifying about this award is that it’s won as a team.  I’m proud that the NSCAA recognizes our team as one that strives for academic excellence.”

The Wreckers are not only strong scholastically, of course.  The 2010 team won the FCIAC championship.  Woog said that the 2011 side — which reached the FCIAC finals — should also qualify for the Academic All-American honor.

All high school students living in Westport are eligible to play.   Pre-registration is required (details below).

“The WSA has been a great partner with Staples soccer,” says Wrecker head coach Dan Woog.  “The coaching and competition provided each spring has been invaluable in preparing players for the next level.  Our guys have plenty of fun playing with their friends, too.”

The spring fee is $450 per player.  The season includes at least 1 practice per week (Thursdays, 6-7:30 p.m. — minimizing conflicts with other high school sports teams); approximately 8 games played against other town high school travel teams in the Southwest District league; competition in the spring Connecticut Cup tournament, and participation in the WSA WIN 2012 tournament (March 17-18).

Pre-registration for the tryouts is required.  To register, click here.

For further information, contact WSA travel director Bart Shuldman:  email bcs44@optonline.net, phone or text 203-247-5037.

But it wasn’t easy.

It took nearly 10 minutes of overtime — beyond the original 12 minutes — for “Team USA” to prevail. Matt Lamb’s toe-poke was the only goal.

In addition to Matt, the victors included Greg Bachman, Brendon Cristobal, Keaton Cristobal, Nicky Hoberman, Eric Meyer, Dave Sharpe and Craig Wolgast.

The team that fell in the final was a great mixture of ages: Kurt Dasbach, Shane Dasbach, Matt Hendrickson, Trevor Lamb, Michael McCarthy, Chris Meinke, Dane Ostilly and Russell Oost-Lievense.

Nearly 40 players competed in a round-robin, followed by semis and finals. They raised $975 for the Loeffler Scholarship, an annual award of up to $3,000 named for the founder of the Staples boys soccer program.

The oldest player — Grayle Howlett, 51 — is a longtime friend of Staples soccer, who actually attended Staples High. The youngest was Shane Dasbach, followed by Jack Scott.

Trevor Lamb traveled the furthest to play: from China.

Click below for highlights of the final:

First, I want to thank our coaches Dan, Kurt, Tom and Rich. Without your constant belief and support it would have been impossible for us to achieve nearly as much as we did.

This was a group that was written off before the season even began. Nobody expected anything out of us. 2011 was the year the staples soccer dynasty was supposed to finish. Had it not been for this special group of guys that might have been the case.

All of the credit in the world should be given to this team and the character of individuals who made a difference.

It was evident throughout the season that Taylor McNair grew to be a third captain. Taylor single handedly kept us in games with his ruthless determination and leadership.

Switching out of the center midfield position is no easy task. However, when the coaches called on Tonz to play left back, he put the team above himself. Tonz played with the skill and fire at left back of somebody truly devoted to the team’s achievements not his own.

A mark of a great teammate is somebody who always gets the job done whenever called upon. That being said, I think everybody can agree that Aaron Liu was a great teammate. Every time Aaron was on the field he played with unmatched intelligence and calmness.

Whether it was Max Hoberman’s overtime-game winning goal against Manchester, Dylan Evans sparking our midfield with relentless work down the wing, Steve Smith running the show from the most difficult position on the field, Ben Root’s always solid play in the back, David Hoffman stepping up game after game, Terence scoring clutch goals, Will Meinke and Jay Kaplan working hard every minute they were on the field, or Kyle Hoberman’s toughness…much of our success was due to the often unnoticed leadership and hard work of the members of this team.

This was a group of guys who refused prove our critics right. We worked day after day during the offseason, pushing ourselves to improve, pushing ourselves to be better. Although we had set goals to win championships, there is no doubt that above all we worked hard for each other. This was not a team divided among seniors, juniors, sophomores and freshmen. This was a team that was one solid unit.

Before our New Canaan game, Tom told us that the most important thing we would take away from this season was the solid and unbreakable bond of being teammates with some of our best friends. He explained how we would carry this special relationship throughout our lives and let it resurface whenever we might cross paths in the future, well Tom must have understood this group perfectly.

There is no doubt that we will cherish each other and the memory of being teammates for a very long time. I can say with complete certainty that the friendships and relationships that we solidified through this program will last much longer than 80 minutes on a soccer field.

2011 captains James Hickok and Jake Malowitz. (Photo by Carl McNair)

And here is co-captain James Hickok’s speech:

I want to start off with a quick story that Dan told me during my post-season meeting. After one of the games this year MSG Varsity filmed an interview of me, and was supposed to broadcast it that night. But for some reason they did not air my interview that night. Hmm. Well, Dan let me know in my post-season meeting that my interview was literally incomprehensible. Most of the guys know that I “mumble” sometimes and make fun of me for it, but this was bad. Anyway, just letting everyone know that this speech is part of my road to recovery from the mumbles, since Dan has recommended I get a speech teacher and my dad wants me to get voice/singing lessons! So keep that in mind.

So many years players try to extract the meaning of Staples Soccer in their banquet speeches, and for me as a junior, I want to leave that to my co-captain Jake Malowitz. I am a pretty lucky guy right now, because it is so rare that you get a second opportunity to lead a team. For me to be able to look at what I did right and wrong over the past few months, then get right next year, is something that doesn’t happen very often. So, I want to first applaud Jake for doing such an excellent job this year. He always left everything on the field and I think we all know how much this team meant to him after we fell to Farmington. So thank you Jake for everything you’ve done for this team, and how you have been a role model for all future captains and myself.

I have learned so many lessons in my three years here, one of which is how to lead a team, and I will continue to learn from Staples Soccer. But my time here is not complete, so I will have to save that until next year.

But what I found the most humbling yet important about this year was the memories. And like I said my days here aren’t over, so I just want to talk about the team that I had so much fun with this year.

The year started looking like there weren’t going to be any memories. Losing 8 starters and not having our annual team-bonding trip, there were doubters. But the mood changed in pr- season. You could see that 3 years of anxiety had been building up in many of these seniors — and they all wanted to be on the field. So, I want to credit the seniors for fighting this year and blowing everyone’s mind when we returned to the FCIAC finals, and came literally millimeters away, thanks to the refs.

And there are so many things I will never forget: the exciting bus rides with live performances by Joe Greenwald and Tucker Rizzi, who somehow know the words to every song on planet Earth and by Tenacious D.

Pasta dinners playing hide and go seek with Tonsberg’s car around the neighborhood.

Seeing “Planet of the Apes” as a team, and never letting go of Cesar… not to mention acting like Cesar the ape during warm-ups at STA camp.

Also our “Meet the Wreckers” questionnaire. Who knew that Taylor was born with 12 toes, that Tucker is the Batman, or that Max hasn’t had a carb since 2000?

Trying to secretly incorporate words like xylophone, Hufflepuff, llama, sock -puppet, and ambiguous into our post-season meetings. So Dan, if you were confused by what we said in the meetings at any point, you know why.

And the best for last: that infamous game versus Greenwich. Now that it is months in the past, I think we all realized it was one of the worst decisions of our lives, but at the same time, it made winning that much better. To inform everyone, most the of the team, including myself, decided to go to NYC to see a concert by DeadMaus.. yes it is an appealing name.

Anyway, we ended up meeting the entire Greenwich boys soccer team at the concert, so I already knew it was going to be an interesting game. Dan reported on the website that we came out “playing like dead mice” after going down 2-0 in ten minutes. But in an anomaly of a game, we somehow came back and scored 3 goals. It still baffles me today how we did it. How a team that struggled to score even 1 goal each game all season, scored 3 goals against a great opponent. Some people said we should go to a concert before every game… but don’t get any ideas. But like I said, it makes winning that much better, and that memory I will take with me forever, as I am sure the team will too.

The list goes on, but somehow with all that fun these guys managed to destroy New Canaan in the FCIAC semi-finals (not to mention receive serious threats from the other team) and continue Staples’ reputation as one of the most hated teams in the state. And even though our first game against Greenwich was an anomaly, our second was not. We proved both that we were better than them with a 1-0 win, and that we were hated thanks to a great quote by a certain person on that Greenwich team, saying, “the better team lost today.” That is victory.

But I have also realized that our teams aren’t just given that reputation, we’ve earned it. Earned it in the sense that every year the guys from Westport work their butts off on and off the field to have a winning season. And I think all of the alumni here can agree that they also worked extremely hard in their time to be the best. Staples Soccer means that you work harder than any other team in the state, and I really think we did that this year.

Also, our team became so close-knit throughout the season too, and our Facebook group is a great example. Essentially, the team was talking 24/7 for four months. Whether it was inspirational speeches, funny videos, organizing pasta dinners or finding out if Ben Root was actually still alive, I looked over the posts from that group and miss every day of our season. But one speech stood out to me. The senior can remain anonymous, but he said:

LETS GO BOYS, seniors tomorrow could be our last ever game playing for staples, think about that, never playing in front of all those fans ever again, never being able to represent your school, and most importantly never being able to play soccer in a meaningful game with one another ever again. I am not ready to let that go, i will not let manchester come into our home and take that from us, i couldnt wish for a better team to have spent the last 3 months with, and i want u all to know that i will do what ever it takes to win tomorrow, lets do it for one another.

That exact quote perfectly describes the will-power of this senior class.

So… it is safe to saw that this team will once again go down in the record books as a successful team. The FCIAC finals was no easy feat, guys, and I am proud to be on this team, and playing for this program.

Lastly.. none of this would be possible without two groups of people: the parents and the coaches. I realize now how much work the parents have to do too, behind that scenes, after seeing my mom going crazy trying to organize this banquet. I realize that every parent contributes to every pasta dinner, and every game they are out there supporting us. So, a round of applause for the parents.

Finally: the coaches. It is hard to realize that our 4 coaches have any other job in the fall, because each of them spends so much time with the team. Rich came to almost every practice and game just to make sure we were injury-free, and remained that way. Not to mention how heel pumps and inch worms changed our world, but Rich dedicated so much of his time to us and we all thank him for that.

Next Kurt. Kurt is one of our soccer masterminds, who has played at the very highest level, and coaches ask him year after year… how did you do it? Next, Tom can be considered the backbone of the team at times, bringing incredible intensity when he plays in goal (because I know how much he wants to steal my spot in the starting 11) but also focusing the entire team at the most urgent times. Finally, Dan. Dan brings all of this together, all of us together, and is the man that keeps Staples Soccer running at high gear. His constant involvement and coaching ability helps every team reach their potential every year.

So- Thank you to the 2011 coaches, parents, and most importantly, the team. You guys all made this great year possible.

I want to end with this fantastic speech written by a fellow goalkeeper after our loss at Farmington:

And the fellowship… though eternally bound by friendship and love… was ended. Three months to the day since Daniel sent us on our long journey… we found ourselves looking upon a familiar sight. We were home. How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on… when in your heart you begin to understand… there is no going back? There are some things that time cannot mend… some hurts that go too deep… that have taken hold. Someone once told me their part in this tale would end… that each of us must come and go in the telling. You cannot always be torn in two. You will have to be one and whole for many years. You have so much to enjoy and to be and to do. Your part in the story will go on.

The event — at the Norwalk Inn — included speeches by coaches and captains, a video, introductions of all players, and several awards.

“It’s always a joy to look back on the season, and celebrate together,” noted head coach Dan Woog. “The year is still fresh in everyone’s minds, but already we’ve been able to get some perspective on our accomplishments. It’s a nice, positive evening, spent with the most important people in our program — each other.”

The 2 highest honors — Block “S”s — went to seniors Taylor McNair and Alex  Tonsberg.

In a vote by teammates, Taylor earned the Most Valuable Player award. Woog said:

Taylor McNair

At our final meeting, I gave players the criteria:  The MVP is the person who, if he was not on the field this year, would have made the biggest difference in what we achieved.

Taylor was, quite simply, the rock of our defense.  He patrolled the back with skill, speed and strength.  He was powerful in the air, tenacious on the ground, and smart everywhere.  His presence helped allow our defense to play higher than maybe any team in the state.

We benefited from having an excellent goalkeeper, and great defenders around  him – they made several game-saving clearances – but it was Taylor’s skillful, solid presence that kept us in game after game.  And it was his tremendous spirit that kept our defenders together, and our entire team tight.  Taylor’s teammates have chosen well.

Alex received the Block “S” coaches’ award as Most Improved Player.  Woog  said:

Alex Tonsberg

We have several worthy candidates. Among them, Alex had a difficult junior year.  He didn’t play a lot, and felt frustrated. We knew Alex was a good player – but we wondered what would happen this fall.

We needn’t have worried.  Alex accepted – in fact, embraced – our request that he play defense, to take advantage of his attacking ability. He seldom came off the field – and when he did, it was for instructions about what we wanted when we put him back on at midfield, or even up top.

Most importantly, Alex did it all with a smile.  Most Improved often goes to a player whose skills get so much better from one year to the next.  Alex was always a talented player.  So the “improvement” really comes from that attitude – which helped our entire team improve.

The Alumni Award — given to a player who “best exemplifies the values that have been the foundation of the Staples boys soccer program since its inception” — went to co-captain Jake Malowitz. Woog explained:

Jake Malowitz

Jake understands exactly what it means to wear the Staples “S.” He knows that he did not get where he is without a lot of hard work being done by generations of Staples players before him. He knows that he has an obligation to be a role model, pay it forward, and pave the way for generations of future players.

He loved being part of our program – and went so far as to say that playing Staples soccer was “an honor.” And, as any alumni could see, he continued our 53-year tradition of smart, take-no-prisoners defense.  Jake represents all the best values and ideals that our alumni appreciate and love.

The Jeff Lea Award — presented to adults for “long, enthusiastic and meritorious service to the Staples boys soccer program” — was given to Dan Donovan ’81 and Mark Noonan ’82, a pair of former teammates who, ever since graduation, have supported Staples soccer. Woog said:

Dan Donovan

Dan Donovan captained the 1981 state championship team at Staples, and went on to be captain of the Lehigh University team. Mark was Dan’s teammate on that ’81 state champion team – and the next year made it 2 in a row.  At Duke University he became the only Staples alum to win a D-1 national championship.

Dan went on to a very successful career in healthcare; he sold his company, and retired last year. Mark was assistant commissioner of MLS, among many other things, and now has his own sports marketing firm. But both Dan and Mark find time – they make time – to stay committed to Staples soccer – and they’ve done so ever since graduating from college.

They serve as evaluators at tryouts.  They serve as mentors to our captains.  They are key members of the Top of the Hill Team booster club.

Mark Noonan

But they also play a valuable role way behind the scenes. Each January I meet with a group of alums; we talk about where the program is going, what we need to do – and, very importantly, what I’m doing wrong. Their advice is honest, on target, and very creative. They never hesitate to criticize, and suggest improvements – but they do it out of a tremendous love for our program, and for everyone associated with it. I hope they continue to do so for years to come.

The final announcement was of co-captains for the 2012 team. James Hickok was re-elected. He will be joined by Joe Greenwald, who becomes part of the 1st father-son captaincy in Staples history. Joe’s father Tom captained the 1978 team to a state championship.

One other award was presented by Chris O’Dell. Jordan McNair earned the Stephen Martin Award, presented annually to a freshman player who “best epitomizes Steve’s special spirit, by combining the desire to excel with the willingness to work and the eagerness to share.”

The 2012 captains: Joe Greenwald and James Hickok. (Photo by Carl McNair)

The first father-son captains in Staples soccer history: Tom Greenwald '79 and Joe Greenwald '13. (Photo by Carl McNair)

“Wrecker Radio” took 1st place overall at the John Drury High School Radio Awards last weekend in Naperville, Illinois.

‘PT picked up many individual awards too — including “Best Sports Play-by-Play.”  That honor went to current senior Ben Greenberg and 2010 graduate Ben Myers, for their broadcast of last year’s state championship match between Staples and Farmington.

Congratulations, Ben and Ben and the entire crew at WWPT!

All alumni and current varsity players are invited to the 2011 Loeffler Indoor Tournament:  Thursday, December 29, in the Staples fieldhouse.

Players are asked to arrive by 5:45 p.m., for stretching and socializing.  Play begins at 6 p.m., with 2 games played simultaneously across the floor.

Parent and friend spectators are warmly welcomed too.

Albie Loeffler talks with one of his mid-1960s teams. All players -- from every team -- are welcome to play in the indoor tournament.

Since Mr. Loeffler’s retirement in 1978, the indoor tournament has served as the major fundraiser for the Albie Loeffler Scholarship.  It has become 1 of the most prestigious awards at Staples, awarded annually to an athlete who participated in one of the sports Mr. Loeffler coached (soccer, basketball, baseball [or softball]).  Alumni are encouraged to make a donation before playing.

Donations may also be sent to the Loeffler Scholarship, c/o Dave Wilson, 28 Craw Ave., Rowayton, CT 06853.

For more information on the scholarship — including a list of previous winners — click here, or email dwilson@ucsfi.com.