Neilon Inducted Into HOF
Neilon Inducted Into HOF
Former ECS Girls Soccer Coach reflects on her career at NYS ceremony
458 wins, 160 losses and 34 ties. Those numbers may not mean much alone but when put together, they encompass 34 years of history for former Ellicottville Central School girls soccer coach Mary Neilon. Four state titles, nine final-fours and 25 sectional championships later, Neilon’s story on the sideline ended with an induction into New York’s Soccer Hall of Fame.
Neilon became a pioneer as commander of Ellicottville’s girls soccer program. She turned a relatively uncompetitive side into one of the most decorated high school teams in the state, capping off her career with the seventh all-time victories in New York for girls soccer.
As one of 10 inductees in the Class of 2020/21 NYS Girls High School Soccer Hall of Fame tournament and ceremony held Saturday, Sept. 11th at Niskayuna High School near Albany, Neilon reflected on her time as a coach and credited her success to team effort. Current ECS head coach Tammy Eddy was asked to present Mary with her plaque.
“As an all team sport, no one player can do it alone,” Neilon said in her speech. “I wouldn’t be here today without the inspiration I felt from the people around me. I know all the accolades were not [earned] on my own merit, they were the result of a team effort that included my family, players and their parents.”
Over the years, Neilon worked with countless young girls both on and off the field. She helped them turn into great soccer players and even better human beings.
Whether it was through teaching sexual education as an academic instructor at the school or prioritizing discipline over skill, Neilon left a mark in the future of her players’ minds and hearts.
“Coach Neilon was incredibly committed to the game and success on the field, the difference [comes from] her commitment to influencing their personal development as individuals,” former Ellicottville girls soccer captain Kaleigh Hunt said. “I’m always reminded of the poems she would write for our sports banquet at the end of each soccer season. The poems were such a testament to her emotional investment in us and her role as a coach.”
Western New York is very familiar with the success story of Ellicottville’s girls soccer program. Recently, the same story was showcased on a statewide arena. The ‘Hall of Fame Tournament’ was recently introduced and held in conjunction with the induction ceremony.
The Ellicottville Eagles competed against some of the state’s best 50 teams throughout a two-day period. Neilon watched closely from the sidelines as former players and coaching staff saluted her.
“The girls had a great weekend, we were all just happy to be there for Mary,” Ellicottville Assistant Girls Varsity Soccer Coach Katie Taylor wrote. “Mary [has always] expected the best out of everyone, no matter what their best was. It was an honor to be asked to coach with her 12 years ago.”
The NYS Girls High School Soccer Hall of Fame was created in 2017 with the sole purpose of highlighting the game’s best figures in the state. As a graduate of the organization’s fourth class, Neilon has officially cemented her place in New York’s history of soccer.
At the final portion of her induction speech, Neilon referred back to her motto for one last time: “Prosperity depends on those who are willing to give back to their community.”
Watch Coach Neilon’s acceptance speech below.