Every other week, we choose a winner from entries in our "I'm a Coach Because..." campaign. This week, we select Bill Pingitor as the winner by reason of his devotion for giving back to the community and keeping kids off the streets.

Bill Pingitor lives in Anaheim, California. He works for Frito Lay as a District Manager and has been there for 13 yrs. Bill loves to play and coach and watch sports. As a board member of the Anaheim Soccer Association, Bill holds the Field Commissioners position, which is one of the most important positions on the board.

In his quote on why he coaches, Bill considers himself not only a soccer coach but also a life mentor whose influence transcends sports.

I’m a coach because of the kids and the passion I have or the game and sport itself. There is no better feeling than teaching a child the importance of discipline, hard work, team effort, dedication, determination and the heart it takes to win not only in sports but in life. I consider myself a life coach to these kids and the dad or mom they may not have. I believe there is no greater joy than knowing that you made a difference in that child's life forever. I believe that sports are the root to all great things. My favorite time of the year is graduation day, when I get to see all the kids I coached walk to that podium with their hand and head held high, saying "I did it". That's why I coach.

NSCAA: What is the story behind you being a soccer coach?
Bill Pingitor: I was helping out with my daughter’s softball team when she was 10 and all her girlfriends were signing up for soccer, so I signed her up.After the first year I saw a lack of discipline and conditioning needed to play the game, so the next year I took my daughter started a team and the rest as they say is history.

NSCAA: What are your thoughts on coaching education and it’s role in developing coaches?
BP: Coaching education is definitely needed not only in the development of us as coaches, but on how to get better at how to develop our kids properly and keep them engaged not only on how to win in the game of soccer but also the game of life.

NSCAA: How much do you think a coach can influence the players in their growth?
BP: We as coaches have a huge influence on these kids sometimes more than parents now a day with both parents having to work to get by, and all the single parents that cannot give the same structure that two parents can. This is where I as a coach can have the influence on helping these kids prepare for the curve balls life will throw at them.

NSCAA: What is your most memorable moment as a coach?
BP: Last year my recreational team "Velocity" played the best game I had seen them play and beat one of two undefeated teams to get to the semi finals in our Orange County Commissioners Cup. We lost our next game but that was the proudest moment of my coaching career outside of watching nine of my players graduate from Loara High School.

NSCAA: What motivates you to keep coaching?
BP: The challenges and competition that coaching brings every year and wanting to leave a legacy of teaching these kids the game of soccer and life to which they will remember and use for years to come.

Visit NSCAA.com/icoach to share your passion and enter to win great prizes from the NSCAA and our sponsors. 

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