Wednesday, February 27, 2002
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Wednesday, February 27, 2002 |
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Lightning's technical director inducted into Georgia Soccer Hall of Fame David Chadwick, commonly known by his nickname "Chaddy," was recently inducted into the Georgia State Soccer Association's Hall of Fame for his contributions to soccer in Georgia and the U.S. Chadwick currently serves as the AFC Lightning technical director. Chadwick, 58, came to the United States after playing in the English Premier Leagues for 13 years. He played in the North American Soccer League with the Dallas Tornado and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers before coming to Georgia in 1979 to coach the Atlanta Chiefs, which he led to back-to-back division titles. He returned to Fort Lauderdale in 1982 and was the head coach of the Strikers until the demise of the NASL in 1984. Chadwick then returned to Georgia and devoted his time and energy to youth and amateur soccer. In 1985 he led the men's amateur Team Datagraphic to the final four of the USSA National Championship. Three years later Chadwick coached the AFC Lightning 1980 U-18 Gold team to the USYSA National Championship. It was the first national championship won by a Georgia youth soccer team. Chadwick holds the highest coaching certificates in England and the U.S. and is one of only two Georgia coaches to be on the USSF National coaching staff. He is still heavily involved in developing players for the AFC Lightning Club, which has produced players like Clint Mathis, a member of the U.S. national team; Ricardo Clark, U.S. Men's U-18 team; and Marshall Leonard, U.S. Men's U-20 team. He lives in Peachtree City with his wife, Judy, who is a third-grade teacher at Braelinn Elementary School. They have three grown children, Andrew, Jenny and Katie. Chadwick is the second person from AFC Lightning to be named to the Hall of fame. Last year, Steve Weeman, President of AFC Lightning, was inducted for his contributions to youth soccer, especially for players on the south side of Atlanta.
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