“Mickey McNeill has coached me for numerous years. It is almost too hard to be exact because even when I went to college to play soccer I still felt coached by him in many ways. He had me in club soccer at NASA (North Atlanta Soccer Association) since I was about 15 years old, and continued to coach me after club tenure was over after my U18 year.

 

Through his persistence and diligence, he has created what is now the Mid-City Lions; a club that he started without the foundation or support that most youth soccer clubs have, but it has flourished here in Atlanta, as well as other states and has expanded into other countries around the world. I have seen Mickey take on so many business ventures and one thing that I know is that he never does anything halfway. Something that Mickey has taught me, that I can honestly say no other person in my life really has, is to push as hard as you can and commit fully to whatever task you set out on, whether it be as small as a single soccer practice or something as important as a corporate job. I have been trying to play professional soccer for the last few years now and there have definitely been some lows, a lot in fact, but Mickey has been there through it all, pushing me in every way, whether it be on or off the field.

 

He is one of the hardest working individuals that I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing and I truly believe that has rubbed off on me. Mickey in a nutshell, if the nutshell consisted of three main words, they would be; selfless, passionate and driven. He is so committed to whatever project he takes on and doesn't stop until it is achieved to the fullest. He always tries to better his situation, the project or himself, as well as others. He is never just pleased and always wants more.  Sometimes I think that he is never content and always looking to improve things. This is something that has also influenced my life greatly, and that is to never settle and always reach for the stars.  My favorite quote that Mickey always says is, “With familiarity breeds contempt”.  I try to really live by this ever since I heard it and it can be interpreted in so many ways. The way this quote applies to him relates to his lack of allowing players to get by with the bare minimum on or off the field and not being content with his own current situation, nor the people around him. He simply will not allow players to become complacent, which is sometimes frustrating, but also admirable.  He loves helping others by giving them the best opportunity for them to achieve their goals, even if no one else would ever afford them the chance.  That is the type of perfectionist that Mickey McNeill is; someone who tries to do things to the fullest for individuals, rather than himself. Very rarely do I ever see Mickey doing things for himself. It is very odd actually considering that he is a profound DJ around the world and I can not tell you the last time I saw him working on music or doing something to complete his own happiness. He puts others first and himself second and that has absolutely contributed to his success throughout his multiple careers.

 

Ever since I could remember, all that I ever wanted to do was play soccer and travel. I started playing as soon as I could walk, and my dream since that time has been to take my soccer career as far as it could go.

 

During high school, I knew that I wanted to play in college. I did not know, however, where to go, what I needed, and most importantly, whom I needed to talk to. Then, my high school played Wheeler High School, who at the time, was coached by Coach Mickey. there were a lot of Brazilian students on the team and I did not want to lose to them, so it only motivated me to play harder. That game I played through cramps and left everything on the field. After that game, I was approached by one of my friends who played for Wheeler and he told me that his coach wanted to talk to me. So, I walked up to him and the first thing he told me was, “you played well, would you like to play in Barcelona?” then he proceeded to tell me about what the team was like, his college showcase team and invited me to come out to practice. I was shocked, and frankly in disbelief regarding the opportunity that I was being presented with. So, after two weeks, I ended up going to practice on a Saturday and saw first hand that the club was very serious.  As I watched the amount of work every one on the team was putting in, I knew that this was the next level of soccer that I was looking for.

 

As my senior year came to a close, I still had nowhere to play in college, but I had joined Mid - City, where I had two more years of club soccer. I honestly did not think that I could go anywhere after my high school career was over, but after sitting down with Coach Mickey and talking to him for about three hours; he gave me something thatI had lost, which was hope. After the talk, he and I had, and the letters that he sent out on my behalf, I was contacted by two Division One and three Division three schools. After that season was over I had to choose one out of the five schools that I was talking to. Coach Mickey was there to help me every step of the way. I ended up choosing Piedmont College, a Division 3 school in Georgia. I played a year at Piedmont,  but unfortunately I had a lot of problems with the school, so I ended up leaving. I still wanted to play college ball. Mickey, somehow, found out and contacted me to help me once again. In my first month back, a total of four colleges wanted me on their teams thanks to the letters that he had sent before I had even stepped a foot on the field. For the amount of loyalty and help that Mickey has shown me and my family; I can honestly say that I would do anything off and on the field for him.

 

Coach Mickey takes the time to get to know his players, that’s one of the biggest items that sets him apart from any other coach that I have ever had.  Another reason that I love playing for him is because his teams become so close that we are like brothers. Coach Mickey’s practices consist of physical and mental work, along with making players get out of their comfort zones, which at first, I didn’t like, but I started seeing how my game and my vision of the game were changing.

 

Not only has Mickey helped me with school and soccer, but he has also helped me through some hard times in my life. Coach Mickey and I have not always seen eye to eye or agreed on everything, however I honestly consider him like a second father. His opinion matters a great deal to me, so he is often the first person that I go to for advice. One of the greatest things that I have learned from playing for Mickey is think beyond the conventional, to go after your dreams and if you really want something bad enough, you will make it happen. I never thought that someone could care as much as he cares about us. I am thankful for everything he has done for me and I don’t know a better way to  ever repay him than to become successful and show him that all the work and time he has invested in me was worth it.

                                                     

Thank you.”

 

Manny Silvano

Piedmont College