Coupeville Sports

Jim Copenhaver and his Ciao soccer team. (Pat Kelley photos)

One of his many young pupils.

The master at work.

Part of the turnout for Copenhaver’s farewell photo.

Coupeville soccer came out to bid adieu to one of its leaders Thursday.

Little kids in their jerseys mingled with high school players, fans and parents as the community staged a farewell photo for Dr. Jim Copenhaver. By the time they were done, they had jammed the stands at Mickey Clark Field.

It’s not surprising since Copenhaver, who is moving himself, his wife Suzanne and children (including CHS star Jeremy) to New Hampshire to be closer to his wife’s family, has been the backbone of youth soccer in the community.

In between his duties as an emergency room physician, he has coached hundreds of young players with the Central Whidbey Soccer Club.

Tirelessly donating his time, not only to coach, but to do a bit of everything — down to mowing and lining the fields — he has been indispensable in the effort to built a love for soccer from the ground floor up in Coupeville.

And, while he’ll be missed by many, as seen by the turnout his farewell photo garnered, what he helped nurture here in town will continue to thrive. He helped get things going, and others will carry on his work after he departs.

Copenhaver’s legacy will continue to be seen every time a child kicks a soccer ball in Coupeville, and that’s not a bad legacy to leave behind.