To whom it may concern: 

I’m not sure who the correct person would be to address this letter to, but I want to make the Chili Soccer Association aware that they have a very amazing travel coach in their league. His name is Tony Fromm. He coached my daughter’s U8 travel team last year and was the most supportive, positive coach I have ever seen.  

My daughter, Maia has loved soccer ever since she could kick the ball! Being the third child she was always very competitive! It showed in everything she did. We knew she would be travel material when the time came. Maia tried out for the U8 team in August of 2012 and made the team. She was thrilled!! She couldn’t wait for practice. Indoor or outdoor in the rain, sun, or cold – it didn’t matter as long as she was playing! She was blessed to have the best coach in the league that not only taught them great skills, but also how to have a positive outlook on the game and life! Coach Tony also coached the U12 team and Maia would frequent those practices as well for more training time! 

In January 2013 Maia went to her pediatrician for her annual physical (8 years old). At that time it was discovered that Maia had a heart murmur. We don’t know if it was always there or if it had just happened. The doctor assured us not to worry and chances were that it was an “innocent murmur” that she would probably grow out of. Just to be on the safe side they sent us to a pediatric cardiologist.  

While we were there they asked Maia what she wanted to be when she grows up. She told them, “A professional soccer player! My jersey number is 20 just like Abby Wambach’s!” They were amazed that an 8 year old girl had such aspirations! They proceeded with testing and performed an echocardiogram. When the doctor came back into the room to share the results, we really thought she was going to say, “Ok, she can get dressed now and you are ok to go!”, but instead we got, 

“We are very concerned about Maia’s heart. Her murmur is not “innocent”. She has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).” Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a complex type of heart disease that affects the heart muscle. It causes thickening of the heart muscle (especially the ventricles, or lower heart chambers), left ventricular stiffness, mitral valve changes and cellular changes. It’s usually passed along genetically, but we do not know of anyone else in either side of the family that has this.                            

They proceeded to tell us that she could no longer play competitive soccer or any other competitive sport ever again. We had never heard of this horrible disease and never saw it coming. Maia never really showed any symptoms. So, our soccer loving girl who was practicing her little heart had to make a huge life style change and we were all devastated. 

Next step was to tell Coach Tony that Maia couldn’t play anymore. Practice was on Saturday nights. Maia had never missed any practice except once while on vacation! I called him up and couldn’t help but cry as I told him the news. He was as shocked and emotional as we were and couldn’t believe it. It was a lot to digest.  

We went back to practice after a couple weeks and Coach Tony brought the team together to break the news. We were advised by the doctors to keep her away from the field as it would be torture for her to go. Maia however, is not the type of kid to sit on the side line. Coach Tony was very well prepared! He sat the team down in a little huddle and talked about how proud he was of the team and how they have come together nicely to support each other – that’s what a team does! He then proceeded to tell the team that Maia was recently diagnosed with a heart condition that prohibits her from playing soccer. He explained that you don’t have to actually “play” soccer to be part of a team. He used himself as an example. He used to play and now he coaches! He told the girls that Maia is a very important part of the team and always will be - as a team we will support her! He went on to tell them that Maia is also here to support us and she will be the assistant coach! He then presented her with a coach’s whistle, a clipboard, a soccer ball necklace with her number on it, an Abby Wambach poster and an Abby Wambach Olympic 

t-shirt! Maia had a smile from ear to ear (while I cried on the side line)! She stayed by Coach Tony the whole practice. When he nodded, she blew the whistle! She also helped “train” the girls on certain drills. She felt so important and part of the team blowing the whistle and walking around with the clipboard. Coach Tony is an AMAZING coach! We were very blessed to have him. Maia left practice that night with the biggest smile on her face! 

Coach Tony would mail Maia a letter and newspaper clippings about Abby every week! Every week!! She loved getting mail from him and her scrapbook is FULL!! He was always so motivating and supportive in his letters! He assured her that there’s something else out there just waiting for her! 

Maia continued to show up to practice occasionally to help Coach Tony out. Once games started it became a little harder for her to attend because she so wanted to play. When she did come, Coach Tony and the team always made her feel very important! We are so appreciative and touched! LOVE those Peppers!! 

We continue to remain friends with Coach Tony and his wonderful family. His wife Amy who is the team manager was an amazing supporter of our family too! They have been wonderful friends through this whole process and we are so blessed to have them in our lives. 

Chili Soccer is very lucky to have such a wonderful coach and an AMAZING role model in their association! 

With Heart, 

James and Victoria Cottrell