Tribute to Coach Blackman
Coach Randy Blackman has had such a large impact on the soccer program at Urbana High School, that his name and the sport have become synonymous. For the 26 years that the school has had the program, he has been the only head coach for Urbana’s boy soccer team.
He was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Coach Blackman graduated from Eastern Illinois University (EIU) in 1983 with majors in Physical Education, Health education, and a minor in Driver’s Education.
In his early years Coach Blackman wrestled for EIU and earned two NCAA DII All-American honors. He also won three USA Wrestling Greco-Roman National Championships in 1976, 1977, and 1978.
He married Ann Blackman in 1984; she has been supporting him and his children with soccer and parenting. Coach Blackman has three children: Ryan, Becky, and Adam graduated from UHS. Ryan and Adam both played soccer for their father at UHS.
In 1985 Coach Blackman came to the Urbana School District as a middle school teacher and assistant wrestling coach for
UHS. He became the UHS head soccer coach when boy’s soccer was added in 1986. He then became the girl’s soccer coach when the school district added the girls program in 1994.
“In 2005, I stopped coaching girl’s soccer because family personal reasons during the time,” suddenly he decided to coach the girl’s again this year because, “I needed the money,” he said with a laugh.
“I’m excited he’s back and he’s making us work on our fundamentals which are helping us a lot,” Junior Melinda Mendoza said. He has about 135 wins with girls through out the years.
“He made me a better soccer player and made me not quit,” said Senior Morgan Lewis who has had Blackman as a coach for five years.
He also got an award from UHS in 2007 for the 300-career win. He has about 325 wins so far for the boy’s soccer team.
The one thing that Blackman wants for the UHS soccer program. “Win the state title and because it means winning it all, Coach Blackman said.
“UHS is lucky to have a great-dedicated coach for the past 26 years. Thank you coach,” Lewis said.
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