A big Mac serving youth.

Byline: Adam Jude The Register-Guard

CORRECTION (ran Feb. 13, 2007): Alan Oakley is the parent of a youth participating in The Outreach Program for Soccer (TOPS) at Kick City Soccer Arena in Springfield. Because of an error in the editing process, his first name was incorrectly stated in a story on Page C1 on Monday.

Ian Oakley peers intently through the tattered Plexiglas, his eyes focused on his 11-year-old son, Matthew.

On the opposite side of the window, galloping along the Kick City Soccer Arena turf, Matthew boots a soccer ball against a wall. He laughs, turns toward his father and offers a thumbs-up.

A smile sweeps over Oakley, who eagerly returns the gesture.

"This is the highlight of his week," Oakley says. "He loves it."

Mac Wilson loves it, too. One of Oregon's premier youth soccer coaches, Wilson loves to connect with kids. Loves to teach. Loves to share his passion.

It's because of Wilson that Matthew was able to replay his scene with about two dozen other disabled children each Wednesday evening for the past few months at the Springfield soccer venue.

Matthew has Down syndrome, and his physical activity is limited, as it is for many of the kids who attend The Outreach Program for Soccer (TOPS) practice, an Oregon Youth Soccer Association free clinic that Wilson has run since 1999. For one night each week, Wilson helped make those limitations irrelevant.

Wilson, 36, a special-education teacher at Cesar Chavez Elementary, oversees basic drills during the hourlong sessions. He demonstrates proper header technique, bouncing a ball off his forehead. He lies on his back and kicks a tossed ball with his laces. He leads a game of "Red Light, Green Light."

"It's fun. I like doing it," Wilson said. "This is such a great thing for the community."

As the 10-week season came to an end recently, Wilson presented trophies and medals to the kids in a makeshift ceremony. Matthew, upon completion of his fifth season with TOPS, raised his trophy like an Olympic champion and posed with Wilson for his father's camera.

The coach beamed.

Oakley and the other parents watching from the sideline expressed their gratitude for Wilson's commitment to their children.

"It's absolutely wonderful what he has done," Oakley said.

Similar sentiments are shared by players and parents from the Eugene Spirit U-13 girls soccer team, which Wilson has coached for the past three years.

A few months ago, Leslie Wonn came up with the idea of nominating Wilson for OYSA coach of the year after seeing her daughter, Allison, a Spirit captain, mature on and off the field under Wilson's guidance.

Wonn quietly began the nomination process, gathering an impressive packet of forms, pictures and 14 letters of recommendation from Wilson's colleagues, players and team parents.

"We just wanted him to know truly what he has done for these girls," Wonn said. "It was a way for us to say thank you. ... We feel so fortunate that our girls have such a positive influence in their lives."

Wilson didn't know about the nomination until the OYSA had received the packet.

He was later informed he had won the Classic Girls Coach of the Year award, and last month he was officially presented with a crystal trophy at the organization's annual general meeting.

"I was quite surprised," Wilson said.

His efforts with TOPS were just a portion of his nomination.

In addition to coaching duties with TOPS and the Spirit, he is a staff coach for the state Olympic Development Program. He also organizes various camps in the summer.

Most notably, after two years as the youth director at the Oregon United Soccer Academy, he branched out last year and founded the Eugene Metro Futbol Club, serving as the director of coaching.

All this while teaching his own soccer standout, 12-year-old son Nic, who was recently accepted into the prestigious ODP.

"I never see him," his wife, Kerry Couture, joked.

Wilson created EMFC with the idea of broadening soccer's local reach, hoping to attract a more diverse following. The club celebrated its first anniversary last month; in that span, it has already expanded from three to nine teams ages U-11 through U-17.

"He saw a need in the community. There was a young group that was left untouched," Couture said. "He wants to make Eugene a great soccer community."

Wilson initially made his impact as the head coach of the Sheldon High School boys team, guiding the Irish to a share of the 2002 state championship. He was honored that season as the state coach of the year.

After eight years, he stepped down at Sheldon to focus on teaching the game at the grassroots level.

"I came from doing high school (coaching), where you just kind of got what you got," he said. "Now you get to start with them when they're young, and you can have a systematic approach, similar to teaching."

Much of Wilson's time is spent with the Spirit. In addition to at least two practices each week, the team also travels for road games on weekends.

Through letters to the OYSA coach of the year committee, the Spirit players shared stories of their bond with their coach, words that added a personal touch in Wilson's nomination packet.

Hannah Galka wrote of his firm yet positive encouragement. Shannon Davini noted his patience. Allison Wonn called him an inspiration.

Wilson's true gift may be his ability to at once command and radiate respect.

"He knows how to meet (the players) at their level. He inspires them and brings out their gift," said Spirit parent Diane Tilby. "He's incredible. They have so much respect for him."

It all adds up to the coach of the year. For many whom Wilson has influenced, the award isn't a one-time recognition.

"As I grow older and get more coaches," Davini wrote, "just ask me this question. 'Who was your best coach you ever had,' and in a heartbeat I will always say 'Mac Wilson.' "