In September of 1996, reporter John Rice took to the field at 16th Street with kindergarteners of Forest Park’s Division 1 Youth Soccer program. Rice wanted the full soccer player’s experience, as if he were a child, and joined the practice just like all the other kids.
He did circle drills with Mary Fabrini, learned to “sweep my feet through the grass,” as advised by Coach Bob Collins, got invited to see the bloody scrape under the bandage of one boy and participate in 7-second drills. In the end, Rice learned how hard it was to wait his turn and how challenging it really was to kick the ball.
Jill Wagner
