09/28/2025
Dear Parents,
I wanted to take a moment to share some important news about one of our beloved coaches. As many of you know, Coach Santiago has been an incredible blessing to our program, pouring his heart into our players week after week. Unfortunately, his family will be deported back to Colombia on Saturday, October 4th, and even more difficult, they will not be allowed to return to the U.S. for the next 10 years.
Santiago first arrived here when he was just 8 years old. Now, at 26, he is having to leave the country he has called home nearly his entire life.
He admitted they may have fumbled when it came to making sure their visas and permanent residence were declared, but like many of life’s challenges, time ran out faster than expected.
This is not about politics, but about people. I ask each of you to please take a moment to personally reach out to Santiago—whether through Facebook or by phone at 407-928-8766—and send him your farewell. Let’s cover him with the same love and encouragement that he consistently showed our kids on the field.
It wasn’t just Santiago who gave to our program—his father even volunteered his time on game day to help assemble one of our soccer goals. He finished it literally without a minute to spare 😊. That’s the kind of servant-hearted spirit this family brought to our community.
Yesterday, Santiago coached his final game. His players and parents were in tears, but true to his character, he coached those kids with passion and commitment until the very last snap.
There is no doubt in my mind that he was God-sent to us and to our program.
Thank you, Coach Santiago. YOU WERE A REAL ONE!
With gratitude,
Coach Lee
