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PCA Resource Center

Rick Davis On His Parents' Role

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Rick Davis, a PCA National Advisory Board Member, is a retired professional soccer player and former member of the U.S. National Team. He played with the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League, and was named Player of the Year in 1979. Davis was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2001 and served as Executive Director of AYSO.

Davis describes his own parents and how they contributed to his ability to play at the highest levels of soccer. First and foremost, they got him involved in sports at a young age. He developed cross-training skills that served his soccer abilities because his parents signed him up for Little League and Pop Warner, in addition to AYSO. They made sure every sport experience he had was wholesome and healthy, which led him to want to continue to play sports into his adult life.

Additionally, Davis’ parents were encouragers more than analyzers. Davis recalls a story of his mother's reaction to his accidentally scoring an own-goal. Her response helped Davis continue loving soccer and feeling supported, an important combination for continued success.