LEGACY NIGHT STORY 2024 (3)

Legacy of 

Friendship 

E S T A B L I S H E D 1 9 9 2 

This is Who We Are 

OUR STORY 

by Roger 

Celebrating 31 Years 

WSA LEGACY 

NIGHT 

7 MARCH 2024 • 6:00 PM 

AGORA EVENT CENTER 

Photo, Circa 200, RiverCity Parks

THE MILESTONES: 

THE FOUNDING & EARLY YEARS, 1992-1995 

Founded by visionaries such as Keith Sullivan, Kevin McAllister, Larry Fincannon, Jim Eardley, and our own John Rhein, WSA took on it’s namesake in 1992, with a vision for a premier soccer 

program on the “west side” of Tulsa. An Alliance along HW 97 with Sand Springs and Sapulpa was forged. 

Outfitted in Umbro navy blue and white uniforms the club began it’s journey. 

The youngest team at the inception, was WSA 80 Boys, coached by Kevin McAllister, and eventually by Kevin Brown and myself, a team which includes members of our coaching staff: Kevin 

King, Barry Roberts, Ryan Bush, Josh McElroy, Yer Yang, Michael Daniel, Kiah Smith, Pedro Colina, Erik Block. That’s a “who’s who” of Oklahoma soccer. And yes, at one time they could all run, 

and they'd claim, "ball". Known as "The Men in The Arena", other WSA 80 alumni still support and follow the club: Dustin Dinsmore, Graham McAllister, Andrew Pinkerton (who attempted a 

WSA-Dallas), Shawn Byerly, Eric Isaacs, Nick Glosson, and possibly others. 

By 1995 the original club founders, had walked away. Judy Brown remained to assist Kevin and myself as we stumbled through understanding the full scope of leading and developing a team. 

She was key to WSA's future. Forming and building a club is difficult and is met with many challenges. So in the vacuum of leadership, John Rhein and myself, self appointed ourselves “Directors 

of Coaching”. Shortly thereafter at the kitchen table of my parent’s house, Catherine Grona, my lil sis, at about 13 years old, drafted the design for the club badge. It was a meaningful and 

thoughtful endeavor. An outcome that has stood the test of time. The first club in Oklahoma to use a "badge". 

In 1995 we hosted the first of many WSA Camps of Excellence (COE), and began the tradition of a World Cup Camp, and a club t-shirt with a slogan. 

Mr. Jim Roberts created the first tshirt slogan, "Striving for Excellence", and Lake Country Sporting Goods printed the 100 lot which were sold out immediately for $6/each to a club of 8 teams... 

At 15 years old, Coach Kevin King, was spending 2-3 weeks a summer coaching young kids at the WSA World Cup Camp. He was the most famous counselor in camp history - a foreshadowing to 

his multiple failed attempts to resign his coaching post since 2014. A camp that inspired young kids to paint their own World Cup jerseys and read the Associated Press Daily COE News posted 

on the long standing Field #5 Gazebo. An event so popular that over 500 kids per summer would attend. So expansive that Mr Steve Wilson and Mr Reed Oppenheimer would frequent the camp 

from '95 to 2000, spending time with the Rhein Brothers, in after camp talks (and drinks). In 1998 Tulsa World ran an article confirming a vision to build Valley Park Soccer Complex. Some of 

the vision took place in those after COE talks at RiverCity (now Case Community) Parks. 

Kids would wear their spray painted tshirts all week in the World Cup played under the modest stadium lighting at RiverCity Parks. And kids would wear the shirts to school! And today, kids, in 

their 30’s and 40’s have let me know – they still own – but only occasionally wear – their handmade, spray painted, World Cup COE tshirts of days old.

BUILDING CULTURE, LIVING VALUES 

Over the years other tshirt slogans, such as these few, helped identify a culture, and a who: 

Victory with Humility. Defeat with Dignity. 

Respect Everyone. Fear No One. 

Measure me not by my finish, but by my sacrifice on behalf of the cause. 

We are who you think we are. 

And eventually, quite simply and poignantly, “Side Before Self. Every time.” 

THE RENAISSANCE 1998-2008 

The WSA 80 Boys would graduate in 1998, and at the conclusion of their final game they did not immediately leave the fields, instead staying, reminiscing on the time they had spent 

together. This began a long standing tradition of WSA ensuring they would close down the State Cup by being last to leave. A tradition that included Bo Apitz (WSA 87) famously being 

left in nothing but his boxers at the 2006 State Cup in Edmond after brother Tom forgot lil bro Bo, driving off with his change of clothes. Bo chased down the car, in his boxers, in the 

Edmond Soccer Club parking lot for about 200 yards. The last time together mattered, because the time we spent with EACH OTHER was meaningful. This is who we are. 

The WSA '80 team was the last of a dying breed in American youth sports, an old-fashioned neighborhood team. Gordon McAllister, the Honorable District Judge McAllister, was on 

hand to watch the final game of nephew Graham McAllister, in 1998, and met me after the game to let me know, and I quote, “I want this for my daughter, Kelli”. The experience of the 

player is foremost to our mission. This is who we are. 

This moment breathed life into a mission and reestablished a momentum to continue the mission. In fact Judge McAllister shortly thereafter penned the first Mission Statement for 

WSA Soccer. It has been revised today, but unaltered - WE WILL SERVE. This is who we are. 

SERVE • CHALLENGE • TRANSFORM 

The MISSION since 1992

ELECTING A NEW PREZ, LEVERAGING A FOUNDATION TO BUILD 

And once you pen a mission statement then you get rewarded. In 1999 The Honorable Judge McAllister became the second president of WSA Soccer. WSA '87 and '88 Girls were formed. 

Kelli McAllister eventually was a Naval Academy officer following cousin Graham McAllister's footsteps, and launching from the springboard of WSA. The Whitehurst family soon joined 

the board, and eventually a WSA Cup tournament was born with Mr Whitehurst, a literal Rocket Scientist, leading the way. A relationship with the Sand Springs Parks Department 

developed, which eventually led to our organization’s strong relationship with Mr. Jeff Edwards at Sand Springs Parks. Relationships matter to our organization. We are blessed with the 

best ones. This is who we are. 

The WSA '81 Girls, which I had the honor of also coaching after a handoff from John Rhein, would graduate in 1999, abiding by many of the same values and behaviors, which began to 

form "traditions". 

A few year's later, Billy Wallace, an '82, would coach for WSA, and would write and perform "These Traditions", a song he applied to WSA Soccer, which featured on the radio on K-Love. 

Years later, Jimmy Gibbs, an '86, would write and perform "Side Before Self", a rap, which he may sneak into the program tonight. Do not be surprised if so. This is who we are. 

In 1999 and 2000 the '80 Boys and '81 girls would reconvene to have a reunion 2 years after their graduation. This past year Jennifer Bennett (WSA '81) invited me to Mr Bruce Bennett's 

70th birthday. He was the famous '81 Girls team manager, and began the current model for team managership at WSA, along with "Mama Isaacs" of the '80 Boys. The 80 Boys and 81 girls 

laid groundwork, by paving a road against the grain of the norm: a small-town team, with big seemingly outlandish ambitions, challenging a status quo (WSA Mission) and forging 

significant standards of achievement. Both were ranked as a top-50 team nationally by multiple ranking sources, both reached state semifinal matches, and both sent over 10 players to 

college programs. And outside of their own community, neither was well-known. Most important, both established that we can and we will. And this mantra of destiny forged lifelong 

relationships. A Legacy of Friendship. This is who we are. 

Tonight’s guest of honor, Gwen Johnson, helped the club win it’s first “girls” National Championship with the 2010 Girls at the Super Y National Finals this past December. Gwen’s mom, 

Ashley Johnson (Cahwee) played for WSA 81 girls, and was one of the club’s still most prolific goalscorers. Ashley and brother Dylan played their careers at WSA. Ashley would go on to a 

highly successful collegiate career. We are a multi-generational family, building for the next generation. This is who we are. 

By 2005 WSA teams had become highly successful. On five occasions team’s had lost in overtime or penalty shootouts in State Championship Matches. Then in 2006 the ’88 Boys would 

claim the first State Championship off the boot of Alex McLaurin, the club’s current technical director. I asked Alex to send me a team pic of the moment. I received photos of he and his 

teammates at dinner. No trophy or medals or celebratory photo. Just Alex hanging out with his boys, and a text that was funny about '88 Boys coach Josh Mac. This is who we are. 

In 2007 several WSA teams were soaring to new heights, including the WSA 92 Boys. The Honorable Judge McAllister gave us his resignation notice, and Ryan Bush, recommended Mr Ken 

Lovelee, who had served as the club’s registrar to be nominated for president. Mr Lovelee served this post until his passing. Mr Lovelee Served Selflessly and Lived Honorably, and we 

acknowledge that mantra: Serve Selflessly. Live Honorably. Each WSA Cup when we give out a “Ken Lovelee Player of the Tournament”. Since Mr Lovelee had suggested to me that one 

day he'd like to retire and have an office at the West Bank Clubhouse, and I had promised to abide, we have aptly named our Clubhouse, The Ken Lovelee Clubhouse. WSA '92 alum, and 

perpetual challenge to '92 Coach Ryan Bush, Tyler Campbell (WSA 92), added that mantra, SERVE SELFLESSLY, LIVE HONORABLY to the West Bank Clubhouse door. Oddly this honored 

Tyler's team manager, whose son Jacob, Tyler acknowledges having kidnapped, duct taped, and left in the woods as a prank. Tyler loves the Lovelee family. The Lovelee family did not 

press charges. This is who we are.

THE EXPANSE 2009 - 2020 

In 2010 we met with Terrell Hoagland of Tulsa Ultimate Federation (TUF) frisbee. TUF and WSA formed Tulsa Field Sports Alliance. An innovative user group of multiple sports sharing land 

space. The idea was novel and counter culture: Challenge the Status Quo (WSA Mission). Multiple sports shared space, and collaborated. We began a mission to find and develop land space 

for “field sports”. Engaging in community with TUF, as they brought new ideas, and a spirit of cooperation to the table, we were succeeding in building and establishing a community of field 

sports users. This is who we are. 

In 2012 Tulsa Field Sports Alliance, with WSA as the managing operator, won an RFP for the 40-acre West Bank Sports Complex. In the interview Riverparks Authority Executive Director, Mr 

Matt Meyer, asked me what we would do if we were not awarded the lease agreement. I told him, “We will continue with the mission to serve the community in what we do. Nothing changes.” 

He told me after he appreciated that reply, because he really just wanted to ensure I would not call “Channel 2 News Works For You.” Such must be the life a Director of Parks. We are missionoriented. 

This is who we are. 

In 2012 the 2004 Boys were 8. My first niece, Alyssa, was playing soccer and I was coaching young players. And Jeremy Combs was regularly at the fields with Reagan (06) and Aiden (04). He 

soon formed several teams with names I did not allow to be posted on public schedules. His 6-year old girls team lived by a mantra that related grass to blood. Soon, little to his knowledge, 

we nominated and elected him VP of Operations, replacing a group of outgoing board members of Nick Bradford, Curt McGinnis and Chris Foster, who were formerly known as The Amigos. 

The Amigos had served relentlessly for a decade and had had great fun together. Today 10 years after they resigned the WSA Board post that brought them together, they still are known to 

meet ocassionally to "catch up" (which may include some drinks). This is who we are. 

In 2015 WSA was in need of a club president, and the ’98 Girls team was closing in on graduation. Ryan once again had an idea. Mark Foster or Josh Eardley. Mark's wife Melissa was already on 

the board, and Mark had recently self-proclaimed he was "The Rock". Brooklyn Eardley was one of the teams top players. It only made sense that Josh Eardley be named president, becoming 

the 4th president in WSA history. Josh's dad, Mr Jim Eardley, is an esteemed founder of Sand Springs Soccer from the 1970's and a builder of the original RiverCity Parks Soccer Complex, and 

also my first coach. He along with my dad and others forged the original energy to drive a team sport into the lives of their children in a way that has led to our perpetuation of the concept 

for 4 decades, and created a multi-generational legacy. This is who we are. 

Around 2014 Billy Whitehead and Todd Friend met with Barry Roberts, Wes Bransetter, and myself in the antiquated cobweb clustered concession stand at West Bank. Ft Gibson Arsenal 

would begin to register players in a cooperative agreement with WSA Soccer. The relationship flourished. Today this concept is expansive, as WSA South, a community of multiple cities with a 

singular vision and destination for players in the area. Tobi Oganla has had a torch of maximum importance handed to him as the current WSA South Director and has found solace in 

leadership proximity to a great man, Chance Alred, inheriting that which Todd and Billy cultivated. We do outreach. We align with folks of similar values. This is who we are.

Proximate to this time Justin Phillip brought members of Claremore Soccer Club’s board together to review a WSA North concept. This was finalized one eve once again with Barry Roberts 

influence at a Claremore SC Board meeting. And in 2016 Von Brinkley requested to meet about the inception of a WSA OKC, and a few years late Julio Rodriguez and Luis Gaspar helped launch 

WSA East. Recently, Emerson Griffith, “Coach Emo”, expanded The Side to Africa, where a WSA-Africa now operates weekly, serving over 100 athletes. The vision: Grow the Game where there is a 

challenge. This is who we are. 

THE INTEGRATION, THE RISE, 8-STARS, OUR BELOVED KINSEY WRIGHT, 2019 - Today 

In 2020 many of WSA's families had just recovered from Flood19. The waters raised and surged against our physical properties. We estimated 90 acres of WSA soccer fields were under water for 

over a week. And with the reality of the impact on so many of our own families, for several weeks we lost sight of soccer, and focused stronger on "Each Other". Adversity is a gift. It sheds light 

on what is meaningful and valuable. Adversity is also tragic. It brings real suffering and pain. 

As the year of shelter-in-place, a pandemic, and global suffering invaded all spaces of our existence, the need became greater in a world shrinking from kindness, to provide just that. Kindness. I 

was honored to serve alongside so many who have worked hard to restore. It was more common to see Mr Ali Adibi giving away a uniform, pair of shoes, or other gear to a family in his store, than 

actually setting up a cash register transaction. "How does this work with business?" I'd ask. He would claim "I can just see they need the help." Many of you, who have, in spite of being spared 

the floodwaters, and in spite of being spared the worst of the pandemic, gone raging towards the storm.... to suffer.... to help. I admire each you for your kindness. This is who we are. 

Many others were not spared. Yet, you rose. This rising inspires us. Thank you for rising. Our human capacity will require inspiration all of our days. We are greatest, and we are greater, when we 

connect with EACTH OTHER. This is who we are. 

We had a fearless leader in Weeks to help provide such an example. And as the light began to shine on the Shelter-in-Place , in the late Fall of 2020, it was ironically Weeks, who offered to cast a 

literal dark shadow at Turkey Mountain to both scare people, because he likes that sort of thing, and to reclaim the interaction of our human experience. The Haunted Trail was born. This is who 

we are. 

+

OUR BELOVED, A LIFE THAT GUARDED A LIGHT, A TRUTH FOR US TO GUARD 

This past Fall the life and legacy of Kinsey Wright is a reminder of Adversity’s dual-effect of both it’s light and it’s pain. Kinsey’s pastor described Kinsey as a Guardian, someone who 

guarded this Truth: that we must and should Trust God. Kinsey was a goalkeeper who literally guarded, and spiritually guarded. In her pastor’s memorial of her life and testimony, the pastor 

reminded us that Kinsey was a light to the world. Kinsey’s life, a Guardian of the Light, will forever be woven into our story. There is a profound, indescribable, miracle working through this 

space and place that invokes us to shed light on this message to Trust God, which Kinsey guarded. And a TRUTH that provides HOPE in a RISING that is ETERNAL. This is who we are. 

Victor Frankl claims, "If there is a meaning in life at all, then there must be meaning in suffering. SUFFERING IS AN ERADICABLE PART OF LIFE... Without suffering... human life cannot be 

complete." (Man's Search for Meaning). 

And we also abide by famous philosopher, Jeremy Combs, WSA VP of Operations, husband to Mrs Cathy Combs, when he boldly states, "Choose Joy." We understand the meaning of 

suffering. And rejoice that we can choose Joy. This is who we are. 

SUCCESS is determined by Perspective; ACHIEVEMENT is measured internally; RESULTS are a metric of fact 

In a short-time, WSA had claimed 4 National Championships, WSA 00 Boys, WSA 07 Boys, WSA 04 Boys (X2), 1 National Finalist (WSA 05 Boys), 2 National Semifinalist (WSA 07 Boys, WSA 05 

Girls X2), and 3X National Elite 8 teams (WSA 03 Boys, WSA 01 Boys, WSA 98 Girls). Within the ECNL-RL platform WSA had claimed 3 Regional Championships, 3 Regional Finalist, and 3 

Conference Championships. In this past year 4 other teams added stars to the badge: WSA 2005 Boys and WSA 2004 Boys claiming National Championships simultaneous to each in July at 

the US Club National Cup. Then just as 2023 would close, our girls claimed their first National Championship as the 2007 Girls and 2010 Girls each won National Titles simultaneous to each 

other. The club had coined #redbeardedcoachback2backnatty (Tyler Campbell), broken 1 National Championship trophy (Ryan Bush), moved a team from ECNL-RL bottom table to a 

playoff contender (Preston Wiruth), gained acceptance into nearly every national league platform, and abided by core values during and throughout the process. Respecting MISSION and 

PURPOSE. This is who we are. 

During this time some of Oklahoma's hall of fame, legends of the game integrated much of their life's work, into the existing structure of WSA. Kerry Shubert, John Rhein, and Donivan 

Bradshaw, along with about 20 new staff would assemble as part of a new leadership structure for WSA Girls. Levi Coleman and Kurt Quillman would join WSA boys programming. Doug 

Melton would assume a role for girls Youth Academy parallel to Jimmy Gibbs role as Boys Youth Academy. Rachel would have 3 more children. Catherine had stopped having children. 

Maybe? Combs would occasionally call, asking me "why so many, does your family understand biology?". I learned Kerry probably would not read this far, and that Dono could fix literally 

anything, and that Chance Alred's generosity may actually be boundless, and his reason questionable when he did not flinch at an idea of hosting our entire WSA staff at his place. 

In 2023 WSA Central, spanning the Tulsa Metro area, is one part of a larger expanse of community clubs. All belong to the same value set. All abide by: Build the Community You Want to 

Belong To. This is who we are. 

It is not longevity of namesake or brand we celebrate. We celebrate Mission. Purpose. Relationship to a Why. We were created for this. To commune. To leave a Legacy of Friendship. This is 

who we have become.

First Club Photo, August 1992, Rivercity Parks 

+

THE VISION 

Turkey 

Mountain 

West Side Y 

FIELD of DREAMS 

Williams Crossing 

Pedestrian Bridge 

River West 

Festival Park 

Zink 

Lake 

Gathering 

Place 

presentation

LIVE HONORABLY. 

SERVE SELFLESSLY. 

MR KEN LOVELEE 

Third President in WSA History 

Infamous HW97 Meeting between Mr Ken Lovelee and 

Mr Glenn Coffey, president of Sapulpa Soccer

A VISION 

A TRAIL 

A TRANSFORMATION

LEADERSHIP 

Chance Alred, WSA 10G, 08G 

Director of WSA South, Girls

ANOTHER NATIONAL TITLE BY WSA 03 BOYS

THE FUTURE 

FIELD OF DREAMS 21

LEGACY NIGHT STORY 2024 (3)

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