PSCA recognizes former Mt. Lebanon soccer coach
For someone who has never played soccer, Ron Wilcher of South Fayette certainly has made a name for himself in the sport as a coach.
At Mt. Lebanon High School, he accumulated a 477-184-50 record complete with six WPIAL championships, one PIAA runner-up trophy and 17 section titles. His Blue Devils reached the PIAA semifinals five times.
Additionally, he has been associated with the Beadling Soccer Club for a quarter of a century and the PA West Olympic Development program for two decades. His teams captured seven PA West state banners.
His accomplishments garnered him many accolades from the Coach of the Year award in the state, district and section to distinction in the PA West organization.
On Jan. 29, Wilcher was inducted into the Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He also received the organization’s Honor Award. It is the highest level or recognition bestowed on an individual and is presented for outstanding contribution to the sport of soccer.
“I’m thrilled and humbled to be chosen,” said Wilcher. “I got involved in the game to create meaningful relationships with people. I never expected to receive any recognition let alone an honor such as this.”
Wilcher said the distinction ranks right up there with his many achievements. He added it truly was an honor to be chosen out of the hundreds of coaches in the state.
Wilcher was also delighted he could share the momentous occasion with family, colleagues and former players. In addition to his mother, Christine, daughter, Lauren, and brother, Robbie, Mt. Lebanon athletic director John Grogan, coaches Seth Young, Aaron Panczyk and Bill Perz, and players Geoff Tomb, Vee Hightower, Matt Chitester, Doug Doran, and Greg Gavlik were among the 450 distinguished guests who traveled to Harrisburg for the presentation.
“The ceremony was amazing. Spectacular,” Wilcher said. “It was a special moment.
“Coaching has afforded me the opportunity to work with so many amazing people and to created friendships that have lasted a lifetime.”
When Wilcher embarked on his coaching career 42 years ago, he had never participated in soccer. He was a baseball and football player at Upper St. Clair High School during the late 1970s. Wilcher played safety and quarterback on the gridiron and hit .300 on the diamond for the Panthers.
“I had friends that played on the soccer team,” Wilcher said, “but I really enjoyed baseball and football so I probably doubt I would have played soccer even if I had to do it all over again. Back in those days you moved through the sports based on the season and when I grew up they were not year-round sports.”
When he matriculated to Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Wilcher played baseball and started four years at second base while majoring in education.
While student teaching at Mt. Lebanon, Wilcher cemented his career path. In the fall of 1977, his father, John, offered him a volunteer position on his soccer coaching staff. He worked with the goalkeepers. After the Blue Devils shutout North Allegheny in overtime to capture the WPIAL championship, Wilcher said he was “hooked” on the sport.
“Part of my introduction to the sport was through my dad but I was fortunate to have played other sports,” Wilcher said. “I think not being a player allowed me to see the game through a different set of eyes. I found the game both interesting and relatively simple to comprehend.”
In 1978, Wilcher embarked on his teaching career at Wesley Institute. He also accepted a paid position as the Lebo junior varsity soccer coach.
With his brother, Robbie, as a key component, the Blue Devils went on a run that included WPIAL titles from 1981-84 and a PIAA championship in 1981.
In 1985, Wilcher assumed the head coaching duties, replacing his father who stepped down to take the women’s position at Allegheny College. John Wilcher also coached the Gators wrestling team.
While Robbie has been inducted into the North Carolina soccer coaches Hall of Fame, Ron and John Wilcher are the first father-son duo to be gain such admittance in Pennsylvania.
John Wilcher entered the PSCA Hall of Fame in 2005. He had coached multiple sports at Mt. Lebanon from basketball to football and wrestling but started the soccer program in 1973. John passed away April 29, 2021.
“I miss him every day,” said Ron Wilcher. “I am sure though that he was looking down on me with a big smile as I was being inducted. He meant so much to my career. This was a big thrill for me and our family.”
During Wilcher’s coaching career there have been many exciting moments. In 31 years, Lebo qualified for the WPIAL playoffs 29 straight season. The Blue Devils also advanced to the PIAA tournament 13 times.
Wilcher coached 23 all-state performers, seven national all-region players and three national All-Americans.
There were many memorable moments from the first varsity win over Seton LaSalle, 1-0, to each WPIAL championship victory, including the fifth title in 2002. Before the Blue Devils dispatched Upper St. Clair, 3-1, Wilcher’s daughter had helped the Panthers win their own championship with a 1-0 win against Penn-Trafford.
“So many great memories,” Wilcher said.
Wilcher retired from teaching in 2016. He finished his career at Washington Elementary School as a physical education teacher.
“It was a rewarding career,” he said. “Every day was spectacular because I would go into the gym with enthusiasm that was shared by the kids. I really had the best of both worlds. I got to see kids move through life as an educator and as a coach. Teaching and coaching have given me the greatest joys.”
Wilcher continues to revel in coaching. He is a volunteer assistant at Mt. Lebanon, working with the boys and girls programs. He also remains with the Beadling Soccer Club. He is coaching the 2004 boys team and working with Gary Weber and Seth Young with the 2007 girls group. He is also involved in the new start-up National Premier League.
“I still enjoy the coaching aspect and I want to continue to do this as long as I am making a meaningful contribution with the players that I am working with,” he said. “Not only am I around great kids and coaches but I am surrounded by people I care about and have fun with.”
Ron Wilcher has been involved in the game of soccer for more than 40 years. He remains excited about the sport and its future.
He thinks the game will take a “huge step” forward if the United States men’s team qualifies for the World Cup in Qatar.
After 10 matches in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), the U.S. is positioned in second place.
The top three finishers in the CONCACAF after the 14 matches are completed March 30 will advance to the World Cup event being held Nov. 21-Dec. 18 for the first time in the Arab world.
“Overall soccer has its place both in popularity and growth in this country,” said Wilcher. “There are pockets in some cities where soccer has a larger foothold but it does not supersede the popularity of other sports.”
While the U.S. has the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL, it has no “American football” as they do in Europe and other soccer-rabid countries in the world.
“We have the infrastructure around pro football. It’s huge around minor and major league baseball not to mention the largest men’s and women’s basketball leagues. There is so much diversity and high-level amateur and pro sports but I think soccer fits into that process. It’s not a fair comparison but there are various clubs and leagues to build around,” Wilcher said.
Players are the building blocks.
Wilcher has seen tremendous leaps in talent since he started coaching among the scholastic, youth and amateur ranks back in 1979.
“Today’s players are amazingly more technical and the skill level is outstanding,” he said. “That skillfulness leads to an attractive game to watch.”
Who is he: Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee and former Mt. Lebanon High School boys’ soccer coach
Career record: 477-184-50 with six WPIAL championships and one PIAA runner-up title.
Age: 65
Birthday: Aug. 5
Parents: John (deceased) and Christine
Siblings: Sandy, Heather, Robbie, Julie
High school: Upper St. Clair
Sports: Baseball, football
College: Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Sports: Baseball
Major: Education
Current job: Beadling Soccer Club coach
Residence: South Fayette
Children: Lauren
Grandchildren: Grace (10), Colton (7), Mac (5), Kate (3)
Bucket list: “I enjoy fishing so I want to continue taking trips with friends. We travel around fishing for trout and red fish. I also want to spend more time visiting my grandchildren in Texas. I am also really excited about the spring soccer season with my Beadling kids.”