Oost-Lievense, O’Dell: Thanks And Updates To Staples Soccer Community
Russell Oost-Lievense spent 9 years as a Staples soccer coach. His playing career included a captaincy. He writes:
To the Staples Soccer Community,
It was 5th grade when I saw my first Staples boys soccer game. I remember it vividly, because I was standing on my parents’ shoulders so I could see over the massive crowd on top of our beloved hill.
We were facing Fairfield High School, who at that time were our main rivals for a place in the FCIAC finals. It was a miserable, rain-soaked Saturday morning in late October, but none of that mattered, as I could not take my eyes away from the match.
One amazing game and I was hooked, which is exactly what this program does to you. Whether you’re years away from high school or an alum decades gone, there is a connection that simply cannot be explained.
Today, it is with a broken heart that I am writing this letter to finally force words onto a page, saying goodbye to the only program I have known and loved.
However, this letter is not to speak about the fine details and countless stories of my time as a player or coach. Instead, I want to acknowledge the large community that has been with us from Day One.
If you know anything about me, you know how important my family is. Staples Soccer was exactly that: my home away from home. It has helped me through some of my darkest periods, not because of the sport, but for the ones I have been lucky enough to meet, grow, and learn from.
As they say, we are only as good as the people next to us, and that could not ring more true for the vast number of players, coaches and parents who have stuck by us through thick and thin. To my coaching staff, Jim St. Andre and Elisee Joseph: This program, town, and especially myself will forever cherish our friendship and your guidance, wisdom and loyalty. This program I were beyond lucky to have you. I hope to see you on the sidelines together again soon, my friends.
To my partner these past 9 months, Chris O’Dell: Although many know him as the beloved alum freshman coach these past 20 years, I have been fortunate to see and understand why he is held in such high regard on and off the field.
If teaching you how to be the best soccer player or track star was what you thought O’Dell was doing for all these years, you are surely missing the point. I know I did. He has always put Staples soccer first, while teaching life lessons all along the way. Simply put, this man epitomizes what is right in this world. Without him, I am not sure where I would be.
Life, as he will tell me or any player, is unfair. How we choose to respond to its challenges is what will determine our outlook on life. This program has certainly navigated challenges over the past 3 years, but with Liam at the helm, the program is in great hands to do just that. I wish him and the boys nothing but the very best. I will miss you all greatly.
To come full circle with this letter, little did I imagine that the 5th grade boy standing on the hill and O’Dell would be accepting positions to coach the varsity program at Fairfield Warde. This time, however, it will not be as old rivals, but forever supporters from afar.
So if I may end with the quote used to close our annual banquet, now more than ever I feel it shines true…”If you do not stand for anything, you will fall for everything”
Thank you.
Russell Oost-Lievense, Staples Class of 2008
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Chris O’Dell spent 20 years as a Staples soccer coach. His playing career included a state championship and captaincy. He writes:
To the Staples Soccer Community,
This is a letter that would have been unimaginable to me that I would be writing, even as recently as the completion of my last season (20 years after I began coaching) which ended on a high note with us beating Ridgefield, to finish 12-1. What happened after that has shocked and saddened me. I’m not sure it could have been scripted by even the most creative minds.
I could make this an extremely long letter filled with gripes and accusations, but I have no interest in doing so. I am exhausted and worn down from the last 9 months. My wife Mary is all too happy to tell you how much time and effort I, and by extension my family, put into this program over the past 2 decades (3 if you count my playing days).
My home is littered with Staples Soccer swag and my kids, who were all born after I started coaching (2 in college now), grew up with Staples soccer as a big component in their lives. I have been part of some truly spectacular clubs both as a player and a coach, and will always cherish the lessons that I have taken from those years.
Just last summer we held a reunion at my home with players and coaches from the 1993 state championship squad. The relationships I have formed with teammates, players, co-coaches and alumni will always be a reminder of the special time I was able to share with this program.
I am excited for the new coach, Liam, to take over. I have heard great things about him, and can’t wait to see what he is able to accomplish with this current group of kids whom I love.
All of my current and former players know that I believe in one thing more than anything else: Shit will go wrong. It is your reaction to that which will define your future. Too many people look to point blame and wallow in self-pity.
I have always felt that is a waste of energy, and unproductive. It is important that you assess what went wrong, fix what you can, learn from it, and finally move forward better prepared for what happens when things don’t go right the next time.
It is in that spirit that Russell and I have decided to take coaching jobs at Fairfield Warde. We look forward to forming a collaborative relationship between Warde and Staples, but mostly look forward to having an opportunity to do what we love, and clearing our names after this past year.
Sincerely,
Chris O’Dell, Staples Class of 1995
Russell Oost-Lievense (Photo/Dan Woog)
Chris O’Dell
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