Coach Armando Cima thanked for 30 years leading Corbin soccer program

Faith and vision. In the early 90s, it took faith and vision to invest so much toward soccer in a mountain town already fiercely loyal to other sports.

I know Armando Cima because I coached opposite him for many years. Playing the Corbin Redhounds carried a palpable dread with it; you knew the team would be fundamentally sound, well-organized, and that the players would have a stalwart work ethic, daunting and real. Was this a direct reflection of the mountains, the coach, the families, or a confluence unique to an era, right place-right time-willing people sort of thing? From the limited perspective of an outsider looking in, quite remarkable is the man, the program, the community.

Coaching against Coach Cima over the years challenged me and many others to become better. His efforts alongside the efforts of his supporting staff have inadvertently helped to birth and influence feeder and high school soccer programs in Somerset, London, and now in southern counties and to the eastern ends of the state.  I know Coach Cima, the philosopher and friend. He can converse eclectic and esoteric, isn’t very interested in controversy unless someone has a viable solution to resolve it with, and is a fisher of people, so to speak. Witty. Two feet on the ground kind of guy.

Corbin soccer is a well-established program! The 16-5, 2021 Redhound squad will stand out as being one of the greatest teams in the KHSAA Soccer Tournament, ever. If you were there, then you witnessed how Corbin handled their business, jumping out 1-0, against the eventual state champion Bulldogs of PLD. The first goal epitomized communication and teamwork, midfield development, tactical fluency, and simplistic execution. An injured roster and own-sided physical mishaps contributed to a falling-short, but, wow, what a testament to and a culmination of Corbin Redhound soccer!

In a time in our national history when true community tends to be no longer a given, Corbin Soccer has enjoyed 30 years of community.

And then I wonder…How many lives have been positively changed and redirected by attending a soccer camp as a little boy or a little girl? To what degree did Corbin Soccer bring families closer together or influence young people to make healthy decisions for themselves? Dr. Mark Hyman, physician and columnist for The Huffington Post wrote, “The power of community to create health is far greater than any physician, clinic, or hospital.” Success stories vary but health is part of all of them.

So, thank you, Coach Cima. Thank you for working to build Corbin’s community year-round for 30 years. Thank you, Karen, Trey, Gabe, and Sophie for all your loving support. And on behalf of all of us who witnessed all this and have undoubtedly been positively impacted through your devotion and love, thank you for giving to the kids of Corbin, Kentucky!

-A fellow coach and friend

The News Journal recently received this letter from a high school soccer coach in the state of Kentucky who wished to remain anonymous…