Frank Smith and Brian Moore have adopted the ugly orphan whoresides in the dark corner of the Copiah-Lincoln Community Collegeathletic department. Just like neophyte parents, they are excitedabout their new offspring. It needs lots of care, lots of paternalguidance and lots of skilled athletes.

Smith, the head coach; and Moore, the assistant; have expressedtheir deep love and devotion for the Co-Lin soccer program. Now, asnew coaches, they want to raise and nourish the stepchild of allstepchildren. According to them, there is unlimitedbeauty/potential for the men’s and women’s teams.

To say the least, soccer has been a woeful experience at Co-Lin.There have been enough dark days to cause a season-long totaleclipse. The men’s team usually went 0-for something. If you’rekeeping score, the Wolves were 0-16 last season but the womenmanaged to win two games.

At press time, information on the Co-Lin soccer team usually wasunavailable. Bad news begat more bad news. The less publicized badnews, the better off was the perspective of the overall athleticprogram.

Smith, a former William Carey College soccer star, knows what ittakes to be successful. A marketing major, he lives in Jackson buthas many relatives in Lincoln County, especially the Hilltopcommunity.

Smith, 29, is married. He and his wife, Amanda, are expectingtheir first child in June. She is attending medical school inJackson.

Moore, 38, also is married. He and his wife, Kristyn, have twochildren, Sara, age 13; and Hayden, 3 months. His main source ofincome is IH Services, a contractor for Wal-Mart Distribution.

“We are busy promoting Co-Lin soccer with area coaches,” saidSmith. “We want to keep the soccer players at home, playing forCo-Lin.”

Obviously, Co-Lin’s past performances on the soccer field, causehigh school stars to seek greener pastures, more successful soccerprograms.

Moore stressed the unlimited soccer potential in the area. “Icoach rec (recreation league) soccer and referee high school games.Teams around here have won state championships in football,basketball and baseball. We want to help kids develop intoscholarship soccer players.”

Smith, who coached Brookhaven Academy’s girls to a districtchampionship last season, agreed. “We want to communicate with kidsand let them know we are here for them. We want to have severalsoccer camps this summer in our area. There’s a future insoccer.”

Other plans are to offer soccer coaching camps for adults whowant to coach high school and recreation league soccer.

Moore said other high school sports benefit from soccer players.”You develop skills, muscle, stamina, agility and eye-footcoordination. You become a better athlete.”

According to Moore, NBA greats Patrick Ewing (Knicks) and AkeemOlijuwan (Rockets) played soccer during their youth. They benefitedfrom the sport.

“I’ve seen a lot of soccer talent in southwest Mississippi butit hasn’t been developed yet.”

Smith said Olivia Wallace is helping as an assistant coach atCo-Lin. Denise Sbravati, former Brookhaven Academy assistant coach,is going to help recruit.

Playing soccer at Co-Lin can be used as a springboard to asenior college scholarship, and provide an education, too. “We wantour players to excel in the classroom and get their grades right.We want them to come back to the community and contribute.”

The 2006 soccer season starts in August. Right now, there is anoffseason conditioning program under way at Co-Lin. Preseasonworkouts begin March 20. Tryouts for the Co-Lin team are April27-28 and 30.

“We want to promote our home games and have some give-awaypromotions,” said Smith. “We want to create a socceratmosphere.

Co-Lin is limited to 25 players and 18 scholarships per team.Smith said there is room for 7 walkons. “We have a lot of holes tofill.”

Two of the first Co-Lin scholarships this year will go to RichScott of Franklin County and Laura Waldrop of Brookhaven. Smithsaid he plans to sign several more players.

Smith said there is a Co-Lin soccer web page available on theinternet with more information. Dial up co-linsoccer.com

Certainly, the future looks much brighter for that uglyorphan.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com