Latino Soccer League 'like a family'
Man who oversees Latino Soccer League promotes a team spirit
By Joanne Fox, Journal staff writer | Posted: Monday, June 23, 2008
A game of the Latino Soccer League takes place behind Jose Galan, a volunteer who is in charge of the league. (Staff photo by Jim Lee)
When you can't understand the language or the customs, warming up to someone from another culture is no easy task.
Jose Galan has made strides in breaking down those barriers by overseeing the Latino Soccer League, that includes players from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
Initially, Galan and this reporter were going to talk about the league one-on-one. He acknowledged his English wasn't the best. I was quick to admit my Spanish was minimal. Journal reporter Norma Azpeitia joined us to facilitate the interview process.
"A group of us worked to organize the league," Galan explained through Azpeitia. "I am the president and we have a secretary and treasurer and committee. All of us are volunteer. None of us get paid.
"We all do it because we like the sport," he continued. "But we also want to help young people get better at soccer. That way they become better players and may qualify for scholarships to college."
There's also benefits for the adults who play, Galan added.
"Having the league provides them with a motivation to practice the sport," he pointed out. "We think playing soccer is good for their physical and mental health. We think adults who play the game will also be more productive in their jobs and better with their families."
Galan's passion was evident as he gestured pointedly and spoke rapidly about the sport. Although the name of the organization includes the ethnic word, "Latino," the league is open to all.
"I want to clarify," he said. "It is the Latino Soccer League, but it is not only Latinos who play. We welcome anyone. We have a mix of Latinos, Anglos, African-Americans and Vietnamese. We have many college students from the area and adults who play and that makes us feel good."
Overseeing the soccer league keeps Galan busy, doing the schedules, raising money to pay for playing time, the permits, the insurance, the uniforms and equipment. It takes about $700 for each team to operate.
"People don't have to pay to play," he said. "We have 'owners' for the teams and they help with the expenses. However, players will help with fundraisers as well. How we all work together is like a family. Everyone is a volunteer and helps."
The League had been up and running for about 13 years, since Galan came to Sioux City in 1993. With his job as president of the Latino Soccer League, Galan may stand on the sidelines watching the sport, occasionally playing with a team of "veterans," but that wasn't always the case.
Galan played with the league at first and from the stories he shared, was probably a key player. Growing up in Guadalajara, Mexico, Galan played soccer in school and then was recruited to play at the professional level as a forward and center for a team in Leone, Mexico.
Galan retired "professionally" from soccer in 1985 and said the sport has changed dramatically over the years.
"Now, it pays very good for the players," he admitted. "When I played, it was a job."
After retiring, he moved to San Jose, Calif., and worked in the strawberry fields, "so I could bring my family" to the United States.
In 1992, the California company went out of business and Galan's brother-in-law invited him to come to Sioux City where there were jobs in the packing plants.
"It was very different than California," he said. "But we liked this place and with teenagers, we thought it would be a better place to raise our children."
The Latino Soccer League continues to grow and Galan said he wanted to let the community know about other positive things connected with the league.
"We're helping youth and others to do something positive with their lives by emphasizing rules and discipline" he said.
"We present a good image to our nation and our community," added Galan, who became an American citizen in 1998. "We have to because that's important to our community and to country."
VITA
Name: Jose Galan
Hometown: Guadalajara; came to Sioux City in 1993
Education: Graduated from high school in 1977
Professional: Played professional soccer from 1977-1985; worked in the strawberry fields in California; in 1993, employed at John Morrell & Co. in Sioux City before being hired in 1996 at Tur-Pak Foods where he is now a supervisor
Personal: Married to wife Andrea Delgadillo for 29 years; four children, four grandchildren
How he's making a difference: By serving as president of the Latino Soccer League that plays every Sunday at South Sioux City.
Jose Galan has made strides in breaking down those barriers by overseeing the Latino Soccer League, that includes players from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.
Initially, Galan and this reporter were going to talk about the league one-on-one. He acknowledged his English wasn't the best. I was quick to admit my Spanish was minimal. Journal reporter Norma Azpeitia joined us to facilitate the interview process.
"A group of us worked to organize the league," Galan explained through Azpeitia. "I am the president and we have a secretary and treasurer and committee. All of us are volunteer. None of us get paid.
"We all do it because we like the sport," he continued. "But we also want to help young people get better at soccer. That way they become better players and may qualify for scholarships to college."
There's also benefits for the adults who play, Galan added.
"Having the league provides them with a motivation to practice the sport," he pointed out. "We think playing soccer is good for their physical and mental health. We think adults who play the game will also be more productive in their jobs and better with their families."
Galan's passion was evident as he gestured pointedly and spoke rapidly about the sport. Although the name of the organization includes the ethnic word, "Latino," the league is open to all.
"I want to clarify," he said. "It is the Latino Soccer League, but it is not only Latinos who play. We welcome anyone. We have a mix of Latinos, Anglos, African-Americans and Vietnamese. We have many college students from the area and adults who play and that makes us feel good."
Overseeing the soccer league keeps Galan busy, doing the schedules, raising money to pay for playing time, the permits, the insurance, the uniforms and equipment. It takes about $700 for each team to operate.
"People don't have to pay to play," he said. "We have 'owners' for the teams and they help with the expenses. However, players will help with fundraisers as well. How we all work together is like a family. Everyone is a volunteer and helps."
The League had been up and running for about 13 years, since Galan came to Sioux City in 1993. With his job as president of the Latino Soccer League, Galan may stand on the sidelines watching the sport, occasionally playing with a team of "veterans," but that wasn't always the case.
Galan played with the league at first and from the stories he shared, was probably a key player. Growing up in Guadalajara, Mexico, Galan played soccer in school and then was recruited to play at the professional level as a forward and center for a team in Leone, Mexico.
Galan retired "professionally" from soccer in 1985 and said the sport has changed dramatically over the years.
"Now, it pays very good for the players," he admitted. "When I played, it was a job."
After retiring, he moved to San Jose, Calif., and worked in the strawberry fields, "so I could bring my family" to the United States.
In 1992, the California company went out of business and Galan's brother-in-law invited him to come to Sioux City where there were jobs in the packing plants.
"It was very different than California," he said. "But we liked this place and with teenagers, we thought it would be a better place to raise our children."
The Latino Soccer League continues to grow and Galan said he wanted to let the community know about other positive things connected with the league.
"We're helping youth and others to do something positive with their lives by emphasizing rules and discipline" he said.
"We present a good image to our nation and our community," added Galan, who became an American citizen in 1998. "We have to because that's important to our community and to country."
VITA
Name: Jose Galan
Hometown: Guadalajara; came to Sioux City in 1993
Education: Graduated from high school in 1977
Professional: Played professional soccer from 1977-1985; worked in the strawberry fields in California; in 1993, employed at John Morrell & Co. in Sioux City before being hired in 1996 at Tur-Pak Foods where he is now a supervisor
Personal: Married to wife Andrea Delgadillo for 29 years; four children, four grandchildren
How he's making a difference: By serving as president of the Latino Soccer League that plays every Sunday at South Sioux City.
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Amber Clausen wrote on Jun 23, 2008 3:49 PM: