Eddie Carmean’s renaissance as an all encompassing local soccer legend started in 1977 when he helped sod the soccer fields at the Cape Coral Soccer Complex.
Carmean’s commitment to youth soccer will reach a new level Sunday when he joins six other individuals at the induction ceremony for the 2017 Lee County School District’s Lee County Athletic Conference Hall of Fame.
Cape Coral businessman and former Cape Coral High School athletic director Don Justice; Alvin Ashley, Mariner High School; Ikechukwu Binns, Island Coast High School; Sheldon Fleming, East Lee County High School; Gary Freis and Clyde Allen, Fort Myers High School join Carmean as inductees.
Carmean moved on from laying sod to play for the Cape Coral Soccer Association Tornadoes (now Cyclones), earn MVP honors at Cape Coral High School for two years and then become captain and All-Conference as a senior at the University of South Florida in 1992.
He started a seven year career with the Kansas City Attack in the National Professional Soccer League in 1992, securing Rookie of the Year honors and then guiding the team to national titles in 1995 and 1996. He played more than 300 professional games, scoring 85 goals and recording 101 assists.
Carmean returned and worked as a trainer for the CCSA in 2001, mentoring players who would eventually play for state title teams with the Seahawks (2010) and Ida Baker (2011). He was selected to run the CCSA recreational program in 2005 and oversee the competitive Cyclones teams in 2010.
Carmean returned and worked as a trainer for the CCSA in 2001, mentoring players who would eventually play for state title teams with the Seahawks (2010) and Ida Baker (2011). He was selected to run the CCSA recreational program in 2005 and oversee the competitive Cyclones teams in 2010.
Former CCSA director and retired Cape Coral High School coach Aldo Nardiello has watched Carmean overcome the obstacles since the early days.
”He was usually the smallest player as a youth and played against older kids, but as an example of his determination he would go by himself and kick the ball against the wall of his parent’s sandwich shop on Cape Coral Parkway for hundreds of hours,” Nardiello said. “His personal trainer was the cement wall.
“By the time Eddie was a high school senior he was one of the fastest players on the field but he had to prove himself again at South Florida, eventually making all conference. The odds were also against him making the pro team but his work ethic prevailed.
“I hired Eddie to become a CCSA trainer by accident. His mother Bunny was teaching at Caloosa Middle School and she mentioned her son was a pro in Kansas Cit. The connection was priceless, thinking of the years ahead and he and wife Missy returned home. Now today Eddie shares his tenacity and love of the game with our kids and coaches.”
The mission Carmean has carved out for himself as the city’s director of soccer operations and instruction continues to expand.
The CCSA Cyclones competitive program has produced 16 Region Cup champions and five President’s Cup winners in the last three years. The U14 girl’s team made the final four nationally in 2013.
“The soccer fields are literally my second home. I’ve made a lot of concessions but the rewards have made up for the commitment,” Carmean said. “You have challenges but the big picture is strong.
“I had no idea my career would go in this direction but now 17 years later, seeing the adults signing up their kids, knowing I coached the parents.”
Tye Cole coaches two teams in the Cyclones program and was in charge of the final four team four years ago.
“What he has done is incredible but more importantly he is a good guy, good with people,” Cole said. “Eddie sacrificed and was relentless in his approach but now look at his accomplishments.”
“Eddie is very understanding, never passing judgement until he has a discussion with everyone,” said Cathy Hunter, President of the CCSA. “Eddie is perfect because he loves what he does and he’s good at it.”
