Naming the CGA Soccer Field for Coach Cieplik

Agreed. I recommend reaching out to www.petitionpromotion.com for assistance in promoting your petition.

Coach C was a great mentor, coach and role model for all of us! This is a well-deserved honor for a lifetime of dedicated service to USCGA and their soccer program!

This should be a no brainer in my opinion. Coach Cieplik is a legend for the USCGA Soccer program and not to mention, a big part of the overall USCGA Athletics Department. I personally and professionally would not have been able to achieve what I have in my life had Coach Cieplik decided not to take a chance on me. Soccer was the highlight of my time at the USCGA and I owe this all to Coach Cieplik. The dedication, loyalty, proven track record of championships, and how much he has meant to the Cadet / Alumni community more than qualifies the naming of the lower soccer field to be named after him.

Naming the lower soccer field after Dr. Coach Cieplik is the right thing at the right time for CGA to do. It would indeed be a great honor for a most deserving man! I was a member of Coach Cieplik’s first CGA soccer team. Coach Cieplik is an exemplary coach, leader, and role model by all measures, and exceeds all the stated requirements except for having crossed the bar. He is no doubt worthy of being the exception to that rule. I commend Jeff Brewer and the Naming Steering Committee (especially “Brooksie”) for moving this initiative forward with gusto.

Coach Cieplik is and will forever be the heart and soul of the CGA Soccer Program. He is most highly deserving of this honor.

This is a well deserved honor. Coach C has done so much for the academy and the cadets, and still does.

Full support.

Coach C. is a mentor, friend and role model. I can think of no more appropriate honor for him and right action by the Academy. I had the honor of playing for him from 1979 to 1981 and coaching with him from 1997 to 1999. I also served on the Faculty of CGA with him from 1997 to 2001. He puts the cadets first and is dedicated to the Academy. I applaud the Committee for undertaking this action and implore the Academy to recognize him in this manner. Semper Paratus. Mark R. Higgins, CGA '83

An exceptional coach, leader, mentor and all-around class act. That Coach C can introduce all the players at halftime of the annual homecoming soccer match and tell a little story about each probably says it all. He made the Academy experience richer for us all. Most deserving, count me all in on this splendid initiative.

There is not much more I can add regarding Coach Cieplik that has not already been said regarding the outstanding adherence to the Coast Guard Core Values, his outstanding leadership, and the positive impact he has had on the development of cadets into officers. I urge you to name the CGA Soccer Field for Coach Cieplik.

I can think of no one more worthy of this great homor. His love for the Academy, the men and women and the Academy’s sports programs is beyond measure. I know because I was Captain of Mr. Ceiplik’s very 1st soccer team. The Rules for “Naming” a field of play is “Worthy” in only one “aspect” that makes it impossible for a living person to compete, they have to be dead. I believe the committee should consider some of these three additional or similar provisions : 1. If person is alive, what significant attribute(s) have the “un-named sport conference” sports board awarded accolades to this person and what have “competitive” college, university, or “conference” awarded this individual recognition(s)? 2. Has the person being considered done things outside the Academy that are not recorded such as keeping in touch with former players and notify those players get together, arranged by full name, year and position played. 3. And the cumulative number of years working in the management of the same college to improve 1 or more sports facilities. I believe these are the types of considerations that should be considered to negate having to “pass away” to earn his or her “sports field name.”

Well deserved.

Coach C was a huge influence in my being accepted and staying at CGA as it looks he was to many others over the decades of service to the Academy. Fully support the initiative.

Tks to Mr. Brewer for taking this recognition effot on. It should have been done years ago. Shame on the rest of us for not thinking of it sooner. Played for Coach C's first CGA team and it was clear from the start that he was the right man for the job. Proud to have played under his leadership.

An absolute must

USCGA Class of 1979 - Coach "C" was, and remains, one of the most devoted supporters of CGA sports, former and present cadets, and the ethics in sportsmanship our alma mater espouses. His unwavering dedication to CGA athletics stands as a benchmark for all Academy leaders. Naming the lower soccer field in his honor would be a fitting tribute for a man dedicated to the welfare of others.

Coach Ray was absolutely dedicated to the success of the CGA soccer program from its earliest days. This would be a well-deserved honor

USCGA Class of 1994 - I can't think of any person that is more deserving of this honor. A true leader and a great human being. I am honored to have played for him. Go Bears!

USCGA ‘83. Had the privilege of both playing for Coach C and then coaching the JV team during a teaching tour @ CGA. Always the gentleman…looking out for his players and colleagues.

Class of 1990. Coach Ceplik was a major influence in why I attended the Coast Guard Academy and I have admired his incredible leadership. Every year he organizes an incredible Alumni Game and every 5 years it is a major reason I attend reunions: to see him and all the great people he has mentored. I can can't think of a more deserving name. His dedication to the Academy and most importantly, the young Men and Women there has been unsurpassed. Go Bears!!