VIDEO: Melbourne High School’s Rosanna Lord; National Coach of the Year, State Champion
By Charles Parker // April 11, 2016
SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME
ABOVE VIDEO: In addition to induction into the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame, Rosanna Lord was recently named one of the top coaches in the country by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
ROSANNA LORD – 2015 INDUCTEE
• National Coach of the Year
• Four State Titles In Three Classes
• Co-Coach Is Husband Mike Lord
AMONG USA’s BEST COACHES
Melbourne High School girls soccer coach Rosanna Lord has recently received many accolades.
In fact, besides the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame she was recently named one of the top coaches in the country by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
Impressively for the Mel High soccer program, boys coach Jerry McCabe received the same honor.
Two coaches from the same school have never won the award at the same time.
Lord credits much of her success to others, especially her husband and co-coach Mike.
“Mike and I have been coaching together for many years and have many awesome moments in soccer,” Lord said.
“The moment that stands out in our career would have to be the first time making it to the regional final game in St. Pete and losing in sudden death overtime in front of an extremely large home crowd.
“Even though our goalkeeper got a hand on the ball, the free-kick was spot-on for the opposing team. It was the moment that we knew we could be here (Regional Finals) again, if not further with specific training and a good work rate. The girls on the team knew it as well. It was the beginning of our girls believing in themselves, each other, the program. We knew the work necessary to become champions.”
FOUR STATE TITLES
Under her tutelage, the Lady Bulldogs have won four state titles in three different divisions in the last seven years. In 2009, they won in 6A against Douglas. The next year they moved to 5A and beat Seminole.
A second back-to-back-run occurred in 2013-2014 in 4A with wins over George Jenkins and Fleming Island respectively.
While Rosanna and Mike always look ahead, they know the importance of understanding the origins and history of the program.
“We find ourselves reflecting back to the beginning of our coaching career and refer back to past players, family, and friends when we have some kind of obstacle,” she said.
“Everyone who has been a part of this soccer program makes sacrifices. So it’s great to get their input once they have moved on from high school.”
Lord is a proponent of a team as a singular unit with a singular goal.
“Throughout the years, there seems to be an understanding and development that no one player is larger than the team,” she added.
“We often reference back to the determination and perseverance of the girls in our program.”
As Coach Lord is being honored, she still doesn’t look far enough ahead to concern herself with her personal legacy.
“Mike and I don’t need to be remembered. We want our Lady Bulldog soccer program and the players that worked so hard for success to be remembered. Without them and the belief they had in our staff and program, we would not have had the success we have had over the years.”
THE 2016 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME Banquet and Induction Ceremony will take place at the Cocoa Beach Country Club on Friday, May 13 with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. – and dinner and ceremony at 7 p.m.
For information about the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2016, call 321-615-8111 or e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com
