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North Hills Soccer Club

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6

Jun, 2020

Passing of beloved NHSC Coach Dave Williams

Dear North Hills Soccer Club members,

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share with our club members the news of Coach Dave Williams’ passing.

Dave began coaching for North Hills Soccer Club many years ago, when one of his daughters began to play. The years went by as they always do, and in 2014, Dave’s daughter’s time with North Hills Soccer Club came to an end. But Dave continued to coach the girls of NHSC, taking on two teams for both fall and spring seasons, and even an indoor team in the winter – year after year. He would run winter training sessions any time he could get the gym. He would show up for hours of player evaluations on both scorching and frigid days. Whenever we needed him, Dave was always there.

His patience was as fierce as his love of both the girls and the game. He had a special way of pushing the girls to do their best, while making them feel valued even if they fell short that day. He could always temper his disappointment for even the worst of games, helping the girls to keep perspective that it is just a game. Yet every goal he celebrated as if it were his own daughter out there who scored it.

His practices were instructional, yet fun. He would get there early (every time), get his cleats on, get his ladder and cones set up, and wait for the girls to arrive one by one. How the girls would squeal and dart away from him as he would try to kick their balls out of bounds in our warmup games of sharks and minnows! He loved to referee the scrimmages, but never shied away from getting in the game and playing, too. And he would never hesitate to get his gloves on and play goalkeeper in our wild and exuberant games of knockout to close out practice every night – facing up against dozens of little girls eager to blast the ball into the goal to score on their coach.

His laughter could always be heard on the field, whether during practice, or during a losing game. These wonderful memories we will all treasure for the rest of our lives.

He gave so selflessly of his time, his energy, and his life, and all he ever wanted in return was simply the opportunity to coach these girls again. Players, parents, and fellow coaches all loved Coach Dave. Because to know Dave was to love him. He was the keystone of our NHSC family, and our hearts are broken. We will all miss him far more than words could ever say.

Rest in peace, Coach Dave. You will be forever on our fields, and forever in our hearts.


Visitation for Coach Dave will he held on Sunday, June 7 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Devlin Funeral Home located at 806 Perry Highway. His funeral will take place at St. Teresa of Avila Church on Monday, June 8 at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association.

Additionally, we know that our NHSC family wants to lift Dave’s family up in love at this incredibly difficult time so we have set up a GoFundMe page honoring Dave and the beautiful life of service he led. Please feel free to give as much as you would like or are able.

We would also to like to gather as many photos and memories of Dave as we can! Please email your photos along with any special memory or sentiment of Dave to [email protected].

Thinking of all of our club members with love as we make our way through the sadness together.

Contact Us

North Hills Soccer Club

PO Box 15446 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15237

Phone: 412-438-8632
Email: [email protected]

North Hills Soccer Club

PO Box 15446 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15237

Phone: 412-438-8632
Email: [email protected]
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