Derek Lawther
Encyclopedia
Derek Lawther is a soccer coach and businessman. He began his career in professional soccer as a player in Northern Ireland
. After immigrating to the United States
, he developed his coaching talents and went on to coach the US Olympic team as well as several professional American soccer teams. Lawther is an American Youth Soccer Association (AYSO) Area Coach Administrator and an executive in a soccer education company.
, County Down
, Northern Ireland
on August 20, 1936. He is the eldest of 3 children. His brother, Ian
, gained notoriety as a Northern Ireland footballer
. Like most young Irish lads, Lawther played soccer for his elementary school teams.
to pursue his playing career. At this time in Northern Ireland, it was a common practice for a soccer player to have a day job and then practice at night. The companies hiring these players understood the commitment undertaken and gladly provided time off for games and travel.
Lawther played with several prominent Irish teams as a center mid-fielder. He began in his teens playing with Ballymena United Football Club. In 1954 he signed with Linfield F.C.
, the most prominent team in Northern Ireland. 1956 saw Derek signing with Glenavon F.C.
yet another distinguished Irish League
team. It was with Glenavon that he earned his Amateur International cap versus Scotland
in 1958. He finished his ten year Irish playing career with Bangor F.C.
in 1962.
In 1963, the day after the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy
, Lawther arrived in California
to play for Scandia Soccer Club. He advanced his education in computer science at El Camino College
in Torrance, California
. He briefly returned to Northern Ireland after the Watts Riots
of 1965 to play with Cliftonville F.C.
. When Lawther returned to the United States after the unrest in Northern Ireland, he played and coached for the Santa Monica Soccer and Social Club (SMSSC) which played in the greater Los Angeles League.
in 1973 and started coaching youth teams. His style, skills and affection for youth development have made him a highly successful coach. He coached teams in the California Youth Soccer Association and became a District Coach. In 1976 he coached the Fountain Valley Eagles (U19) to a third place finish in the national tournament. One of the players on that team, Rick Davis
, eventually went on to play professional soccer, became a member of the Olympic and World Cup teams, and ultimately entered the AYSO Hall of Fame.
Lawther demonstrated his love and ability to work with young, amateur players when he coached youth, club and college level programs. He was chosen to coach the Olympic team in 1978 when they participated in the President’s Cup in South Korea. The following year he coached the United States men's national soccer team
when they played against Mexico
in Los Angeles
and Russia
in Seattle.
men’s team to the California State championship. In 1983, after coaching professional teams, he began coaching at the University of California, Irvine
. The first year there he coached both the men’s and women’s team with the LA Times dubbing him as the “soccer guru”. From 1984 to 1995, he coached the men’s team in Division I competition in the Big West Conference
(formerly the Pacific Coast Athletic Association). His success at UCI was recognized with many awards and accolades. He was named Big West Coach of the Year in 1991. The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation represents the Big West, Pacific-10, Mountain West, Western Athletic and West Coast Conference
s and other selected universities in the western United States. In 1994, it named Lawther as Coach of the Year.
Lawther maintained his relationships with youth sports organizations. He was South District Coach in the California Youth Soccer Association from 1974–1981. In 1981, he was the California State boy’s coach that won the Nike Cup for the U19 division. He became the American Youth Soccer Association (AYSO) Area Coach Administrator. A position he still holds and enjoys. He also coached the Corona Del Mar High School boy’s team for four years in the late nineties. He is still active in coaching club teams.
team. He garnered the American Soccer League Coach of the Year for 1978. In 1980, he joined the North American Soccer League
’s California Surf
as a coach. The team was 2nd in the American Conference, Western Division.
Previously, in addition to his coaching positions, Lawther started his own company that has been dedicated to the education of both soccer players and coaches since its inception in 1973.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. After immigrating to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, he developed his coaching talents and went on to coach the US Olympic team as well as several professional American soccer teams. Lawther is an American Youth Soccer Association (AYSO) Area Coach Administrator and an executive in a soccer education company.
Early years
Lawther was born in BelfastBelfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
on August 20, 1936. He is the eldest of 3 children. His brother, Ian
Ian Lawther (footballer)
Ian Lawther was a Northern Irish footballer who played for Sunderland and five other clubs in the English Football League. He also played four internationals for Northern Ireland.-Club career:...
, gained notoriety as a Northern Ireland footballer
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
. Like most young Irish lads, Lawther played soccer for his elementary school teams.
Player experience
In 1950, Boyland Boy’s Club accepted Lawther to their team and organization. Shortly thereafter, his Boyland coach advised him to leave school, as it was certain his future was in soccer. Lawther followed his advice, left school and became an apprentice printerPrinter (publisher)
In publishing, printers are both companies providing printing services and individuals who directly operate printing presses. With the invention of the moveable type printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1450, printing—and printers—proliferated throughout Europe.Today, printers are found...
to pursue his playing career. At this time in Northern Ireland, it was a common practice for a soccer player to have a day job and then practice at night. The companies hiring these players understood the commitment undertaken and gladly provided time off for games and travel.
Lawther played with several prominent Irish teams as a center mid-fielder. He began in his teens playing with Ballymena United Football Club. In 1954 he signed with Linfield F.C.
Linfield F.C.
Linfield F.C. , is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club, whose home ground is Windsor Park in Belfast, which is also the home of the Northern Ireland international team....
, the most prominent team in Northern Ireland. 1956 saw Derek signing with Glenavon F.C.
Glenavon F.C.
Glenavon F.C. is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. The club, founded in 1889, hails from Lurgan and plays its home matches at Mourneview Park...
yet another distinguished Irish League
IFA Premiership
The IFA Premiership – formerly the Irish Premier League, and before that the Irish Football League–and still known in popular parlance simply as the Irish League, is the national football league in Northern Ireland, and was historically the league for the whole of Ireland. Clubs in the league are...
team. It was with Glenavon that he earned his Amateur International cap versus Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
in 1958. He finished his ten year Irish playing career with Bangor F.C.
Bangor F.C.
Bangor Football Club is an intermediate, Northern Irish football club playing in IFA Championship 1. The club, founded in 1918, hails from Bangor and plays its home matches at Clandeboye Park. Club colours are gold and royal blue...
in 1962.
In 1963, the day after the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
, Lawther arrived in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to play for Scandia Soccer Club. He advanced his education in computer science at El Camino College
El Camino College
El Camino College is a two-year public community college located partially in the unincorporated area of Alondra Park and partially in the City of Torrance in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is commonly referred to as "Elco" or "ECC"...
in Torrance, California
Torrance, California
Torrance is a city incorporated in 1921 and located in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, California, United States. Torrance has of shore-front beaches on the Pacific Ocean, quieter and less well-known by tourists than others on the Santa Monica Bay, such as those of neighboring...
. He briefly returned to Northern Ireland after the Watts Riots
Watts Riots
The Watts Riots or the Watts Rebellion was a civil disturbance in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, California from August 11 to August 15, 1965. The 5-day riot resulted in 34 deaths, 1,032 injuries, and 3,438 arrests...
of 1965 to play with Cliftonville F.C.
Cliftonville F.C.
Cliftonville Football & Athletic Club is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. Founded on 20 September 1879 by John McCredy McAlery in the suburb of Cliftonville in north Belfast, it is the oldest football club in Ireland and celebrated its 130th...
. When Lawther returned to the United States after the unrest in Northern Ireland, he played and coached for the Santa Monica Soccer and Social Club (SMSSC) which played in the greater Los Angeles League.
Coaching
While Lawther was playing for SMSSC, he worked as a computer programmer and once again started a new life. He possesses a style and demeanor that enables him to be an effective communicator and motivator. To stay with the sport he loves and give back to the game, he started taking courses for his coaching credentials in 1971. He completed all coursework and received the following certifications:- USSF 70 hour course, UCLA, Los AngelesLos ÁngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, 1971 – Certificate ‘C’ - USSF 70 hour course, UCLA, Los AngelesLos ÁngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, 1972 – Certificate ‘B’ - USSF 70 hour course, Stanford UniversityStanford UniversityThe Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, 1973 – Certificate ‘A’ - USSF 70 hour course, Colorado Springs, 1974 - Staff Certificate
Early coaching experience
Lawther bought a new home in Fountain Valley, CaliforniaFountain Valley, California
Fountain Valley is a city in Orange County, California. The population was 55,313 at the 2010 census. A classic bedroom community, Fountain Valley is a middle-class residential area.- History :...
in 1973 and started coaching youth teams. His style, skills and affection for youth development have made him a highly successful coach. He coached teams in the California Youth Soccer Association and became a District Coach. In 1976 he coached the Fountain Valley Eagles (U19) to a third place finish in the national tournament. One of the players on that team, Rick Davis
Rick Davis
Richard Dean Davis is a retired American soccer midfielder, and former captain of the U.S. National Team for much of the 1980s...
, eventually went on to play professional soccer, became a member of the Olympic and World Cup teams, and ultimately entered the AYSO Hall of Fame.
Lawther demonstrated his love and ability to work with young, amateur players when he coached youth, club and college level programs. He was chosen to coach the Olympic team in 1978 when they participated in the President’s Cup in South Korea. The following year he coached the United States men's national soccer team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
when they played against Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
in Seattle.
College coaching experience
In 1978, he began coaching at the college level and successfully took Santa Ana CollegeSanta Ana College
Santa Ana College is a community college located in Santa Ana, California, USA.-History:In 1915, Santa Ana Junior College opened its doors to 25 students as a department of Santa Ana High School. It was the second community college founded in Orange County, behind Fullerton College, and the fourth...
men’s team to the California State championship. In 1983, after coaching professional teams, he began coaching at the University of California, Irvine
University of California, Irvine
The University of California, Irvine , founded in 1965, is one of the ten campuses of the University of California, located in Irvine, California, USA...
. The first year there he coached both the men’s and women’s team with the LA Times dubbing him as the “soccer guru”. From 1984 to 1995, he coached the men’s team in Division I competition in the Big West Conference
Big West Conference
The Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
(formerly the Pacific Coast Athletic Association). His success at UCI was recognized with many awards and accolades. He was named Big West Coach of the Year in 1991. The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation represents the Big West, Pacific-10, Mountain West, Western Athletic and West Coast Conference
West Coast Conference
The West Coast Conference is an NCAA collegiate athletics conference consisting of nine member schools across the states of California, Oregon, Utah and Washington....
s and other selected universities in the western United States. In 1994, it named Lawther as Coach of the Year.
Lawther maintained his relationships with youth sports organizations. He was South District Coach in the California Youth Soccer Association from 1974–1981. In 1981, he was the California State boy’s coach that won the Nike Cup for the U19 division. He became the American Youth Soccer Association (AYSO) Area Coach Administrator. A position he still holds and enjoys. He also coached the Corona Del Mar High School boy’s team for four years in the late nineties. He is still active in coaching club teams.
Professional coaching
His national success as a coach was recognized when the professional American Soccer League was formed and he was named head coach of the California SunshineCalifornia Sunshine (soccer)
The California Sunshine was an American soccer club based in Fountain Valley, California that was a member of the American Soccer League. The team was owned by Dr. Robert Everakes and his wife Alexandra, who was the general manager...
team. He garnered the American Soccer League Coach of the Year for 1978. In 1980, he joined the North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
’s California Surf
California Surf
The California Surf were a soccer club based in Anaheim, California who played in the North American Soccer League from 1978 to 1981. Their home field was Anaheim Stadium.They originally were the St. Louis Stars...
as a coach. The team was 2nd in the American Conference, Western Division.
Business experience
In 2005, several soccer-minded investors convinced Lawther to expand his soccer influence by creating multimedia tools to improve the soccer skills and knowledge of the game. This group started a company to provide soccer expertise, training, and travel to advance the sport of soccer in the United States.Previously, in addition to his coaching positions, Lawther started his own company that has been dedicated to the education of both soccer players and coaches since its inception in 1973.