United Soccer Coaches (USC) has named St. Mary’s Dominican High School Soccer Coach Al Silvas Louisiana Coach of the Year in the Private/Parochial category. USC honors National and Regional Coaches of the Year for High School Coaches. Silvas will be among other states’ winners in the region contending for the Regional Coach of the Year award. All winners receive a plaque in honor of their achievement and will be honored at the annual Convention.
“This honor means a great deal to me because this award is voted on by the coaches,” said Silvas. “I also feel that my players are a big reason for this honor. Without them working hard in training and determined to leave a legacy at Dominican, this would not be possible.
Silvas, head coach of St. Mary’s Dominican High School’s Varsity Soccer team, has a lifetime record of 309-127-64. His last season record was 19-2-8. Prior to joining Dominican during the 2008-09 school year, Silvas coached at St. Martin’s Episcopal where he accumulated 82 wins over eight seasons.
Dominican’s soccer coach attributed Dominican’s consistent wins to players who understand their roles and embrace the team’s philosophy. “Over the years we have created a winning culture. Our team trains hard and plays hard. We respect our opponents and bring our very best to every game. In the end for me, the 300 wins are a byproduct,” said Silvas who values the bonds made over the years with players and their families.
Silvas, who is also the school’s Registrar and administrative assistant to the principal, has received numerous accolades during his coaching career. Among these, six Conference Champs, including 2019 Divison-1 District-9; 16 Bi-District Champs that include concurrent wins from 2005-2020; Regional Champs 2010-2020, plus 2005, 2002; 2011 Division-I Girls’ State Champions, and 2002 Division-III Boys’ State Champions.
Team honors: 2019 Division-I District-9 Champions, 2013 Division-I District-9 Champions, 2013 Louisiana Showcase of Soccer Champions, 2012 Division-I District-9 Champions, 2012 Mandeville Holiday Classic Champions, 2012 Louisiana Showcase of Soccer Champions, 2012 Ninth Annual Soccer Classic Champions, 2011 Division-I Girls’ State Champions, 2010 Division-I District-10 Champions, 2005 Division-III District-6 Champions, 2004 Division-III District-6 Champions, and 2002 Division-III Boys State Champions.
In 2018, he was named USC Private/Parochial Regional Coach of the Year and Division-I District-9 Coach of the Year. Other Coach of the Year honors: 2013 Division-I District-9, 2012 Division-I District-9, 2011 NSCAA Private/Parochial Regional, 2011 Division-I Girls’, 2011 New Orleans All-Metro, 2010 Division-I District-10, 2005 East Jefferson Girls’, 2005 Division-III District-6 Girls’, and 2004 Division-III District-6 Girls.
To qualify for consideration of the USC Coach of the Year, a coach must be a member of United Soccer Coaches, as well as have a successful record for that season. In addition, the coach should exhibit the following: Knowledge of the game (rules, systems, coaching philosophy), Rapport with the team (respect of the players), Team image (team conduct, style of play, performance), Conduct on the field (positive behavior), Involvement in local, state, and or national coaching organizations (meetings, committees), Outside involvement (clinics, camps, conventions), Community involvement (leagues, banquets),Rapport with other coaches (cooperative, considerate), Rapport with officials, and Relationship with media (cooperative, considerate).
USC administers an extensive awards and recognition program which includes Coach of the Year, All-America, long-term service and special recognition awards designed to recognize excellence in soccer, academics, and service to the game. In all, more than 11,000 awards are presented by United Soccer Coaches each year. These awards and recognition are available only to United Soccer Coaches member coaches and their players. The climax of the United Soccer Coaches Awards Program occurs at the annual USC convention, where several the awards are announced