Craig Winans

His voice cracks as he thinks back to the year 2007, when he was the Assistant Women’s Coach at San Jose State University. It was also the year both his parents had passed away within 23 days of each other.

"The girls helped me get through one of the toughest times in my life", Winans admits.

His team was playing a match against the United States Air Force Academy, with the game dedicated in honor of his mother.

"When one of our players, Roxy Kamal, scored a goal, she immediately ran to our bench and gave me a great, big bear hug," Winans recalls, then adds in a shaky voice, "That’s when you look at it and you know why you’re coaching."

No doubt, Winans has a passion for soccer. He devoted 41 years to coach both girls and boys teams and just this year, landed a spot on the California Youth Soccer Association board as District 1 Commissioner, which encompasses his hometown of San Francisco.

His resume is robust and impressive, to say the least, although one would never know this by conversing with Winans. And this can be attributed to his soccer philosophy.

"If you coach for the wins, for the trophy at the end of the year, then the coach has lost the reason why we do this," he says matter-of-factly.

A fourth generation native of San Francisco, Winans began playing at the age of 8. He held the position of forward throughout his teen years, later switching to center midfield once he joined the U.S. Air Force Academy team. Two years later, he was recruited to the semi-pro team San Francisco Glens, which at the time, ranked #2 in the nation.

His coaching career began as a freshman at Archbishop Riordan, when he coached 7th and 8th graders, followed by high school and later, Club coaching for CYSA. He recently wrapped up six years as Assistant Women’s Coach for the San Jose State University, where they garnered two WAC Championships and four NSCAA Team Academic Awards.

In addition to earning a plethora of coaching licenses, including a USSF A license, Winans held the positions of District Olympic Development Coordinator (ODP), District Coaching Coordinator and Region IV Staff Coach at Girl’s ODP Camp. He continues to be a CYSA Coaching Instructor.

When asked how he feels about the beautiful game of soccer, Winans doesn’t skip a beat when stating it’s the best sport for a youth.

"For me, soccer players learn sportsmanship, how to work together, and leadership skills – things you don’t learn in a classroom," he says with determination. "In the workplace, you have to learn to work with others because it’s not just about you. If you work with others, you can be so much stronger."

Ilona Montoya

"She was playing her last game as a youth with Central Valley Mercury when she scored the first goal in the National Championship!" the Chief Financial Officer of CYSA recalls proudly. "The team won three National Championships, which Elisa played in two. It was an incredible moment!"

Like most parents involved with CYSA, Montoya made the sacrifices necessary to further her daughter's development in soccer. And for the Montoya's, this meant traveling three times a week for four years from their home in San Bruno to the team in San Jose – never once missing a game.

Being part of her daughter's soccer life also helped to develop Montoya's philosophy, which coincidently, parallels that of CYSA's.

Like most parents involved with CYSA, Montoya made the sacrifices necessary to further her daughter's development in soccer. And for the Montoya's, this meant traveling three times a week for four years from their home in San Bruno to the team in San Jose – never once missing a game.

Being part of her daughter's soccer life also helped to develop Montoya's philosophy, which coincidently, parallels that of CYSA's.

"This is about the kids, not only learning the sport, but instilling those lessons to become responsible adults," Montoya says. "It's teaching them things they'll take for the rest of their lives."

Instilling life lessons is paramount to Montoya, as she has proved to herself. Six years ago, the mother of two made a decision to lose weight – one that she says was the important to her health.

"I wanted to stand on one foot and put a sock on but I couldn't do that," she admits. "That's when I reached a point in my life that I just couldn't do this anymore. I had to change."

The determination led Montoya to lose a total of 65 lbs. and can now dead lift 195 lbs.

"I was really heavy and didn't know how to eat. I was getting older and thought that this way of living is just not going to work," she says. "I got myself a personal trainer, started to do cross fit, and got into shape. It's important to me now."

Montoya became involved in soccer more than 20 years ago when her family joined CYSA. Her involvement eventually led Montoya to become Commissioner for District 1 before accepting the challenge of CFO on the board.

In the midst of all these activities, Montoya found time to teach 3-to-7-year-olds the game of soccer when she volunteered to coach indoor.

"I would have some players say they couldn't use their left foot to kick. So we practiced and by the end of eight weeks, they were able to kick with both their feet," she says. "We just had fun. It was the best time ever."

When asked why she continues her involvement in CYSA, given her children have aged out, Montoya takes a deep breath before answering.

"It's a passion. You want to see this work out and you want to see the kids playing," she states. "You have kids out there who need something to do and this is something they can be proud of. This is their motivator. And if I can help, I will."