By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@thecitizennews.com

The Lightning soccer program produced two big winners at the recent Georgia Soccer Awards Luncheon.

Deanise Myers was named 2000 Girls Soccer Coach of the Year and Steve Weeman, president of The Lightning Soccer Club, was inducted into the Georgia Soccer Hall of Fame.

Myers was nominated by the club and supported with many letters from current and former players. She is well-respected by her team and her opponents, stressing hard work and fun. Many of Myers' players looked to her to be a role model, guiding her players on and off the field.

Weeman's award is a lifetime award that has been given to a small number of people who have made a big difference to soccer in the state. Weeman founded the Fayette County Youth Soccer League with Don Kemp and basically built the soccer complex at McCurry Park. He did the building, landscaping and maintaining of the fields. Buddy Cumbie was instrumental in the latter years, when Weeman took care of the fields.

In 1983, Weeman created the Lightning program, which pooled local talent to field competitive teams. He founded the group with Gary Nidifer, a Clayton County resident. In 1988, Weeman and a group of 14 other investors built The Soccer Centre. Soon after, Weeman brought in a paid director of coaching, David Chadwick, to elevate the level of play even more. Chadwick coached the first Lightning team to a state championship.

Weeman bolstered the level once more in 1998 with a complete restructuring of the club. He brought in a paid executive director and Weeman was once again the club's president.

Though his sons and stepsons are well beyond the age of playing youth soccer, Weeman has given a lifetime of dedication to area youth. He continues to support youth soccer and keep the Lightning at the top of all state soccer programs.

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