ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., - First Lt. Roye Locklear leads an active and busy life; and soccer is an integral part of it.
Recently, Locklear’s experience and passion for the game helped him lead the All-Army Soccer Team to victory in the 2010 Armed Forces Men’s Soccer Championship.
During the Championship match, held at Hurlbert Field in Destin, Fla., on Oct. 24, the Army team defeated the Navy team after a tied game that, after two 15 minute periods of overtime, was still tied at 1-1. The game was decided by penalty kick, with the Army team coming out on top.
“It was one of those games that went down to the wire,” said Locklear.
Locklear was a player on the 2007 All-Army soccer team, which also won the Armed Forces Championship. He went on to serve as the team’s assistant coach in 2009.
When then coach, Sgt. 1st Class Agustin Mendez, retired from the Army last year, Locklear applied for the position and was selected as the coach for the 2010 team.When Locklear’s unit, the 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, deployed to Afghanistan in August of 2010, he coordinated with his command to participate with the team, in lieu of taking leave.
After winning the game, Locklear had the opportunity to travel to Suriname to coach the All-Star Team from the Department of Defense in competition, but declined in order to rejoin his unit in Afghanistan.
Locklear, as a Guardsmen, coached a team comprised of 16 active duty Soldiers and two Soldiers from the reserve component who came from bases across the globe. Locklear said his players didn’t even take into account his status as a Guardsman, but respected him as a coach.
“They see me as a coach and like any players, they are looking for guidance, direction and the opportunity to make an impression and contribute to the team,” he said.
The team started out the tournament with a few key players who had minor injuries. Locklear knew most of the returning players from his time with the team in 2007 and 2009 and had a good idea of what to expect tactically from the other teams.
As defending champions, Locklear anticipated each of their competitors to bring their best effort to each game.
“We started off the tournament a little sluggish but came on strong in the later rounds when it mattered most,” said Locklear. “Although the competition was tough, I knew that if we played to our strengths we could retain our title.”
Locklear is currently finishing his deployment as the service detachment commander with Headquarters Support Company of the 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group in Afghanistan.
When he returns, Locklear plans to return to his full-time job with the Florida National Guard and continue coaching soccer at Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, Fla.