Head coach Troy Hammell’s evolving wardrobe becomes sideline sensation as the Ashland girls squad racks up wins, gears up for postseason play

By Jim Orr

The 10-year-old girls soccer team, known as “Ashland Thunder,” completed an undefeated regular season on Sunday, Oct. 19, against one of six similar teams, including three from Medford and one from Central Point, in the Oregon Youth Soccer Association Regional Conference League, South. The team did suffer one tie, 2-2, in a game with the Medford RVT Red team earlier in the season, but won a subsequent rematch, 2-1.

If you happened to attend their last regular-season game at North Mountain Park, your first impression on seeing the team and coaches on the field would have been: Who invited Abe Lincoln?

Out on the field with the team was the tall head coach, Troy Hammell, wearing a black tuxedo and a top hat.  Early in the season, he began upgrading his attire in each game as the team continued to win and suffered no losses. As the season progressed, those regularly attending fans (mostly parents and other family members) began to notice, and one of the questions preceding each subsequent game was not only whether the girls could keep winning, but also what Coach Troy would wear next.

The team will go on to compete at the Saving Mammories and Support Hope (SMASH) Tournament at California Soccer Park in Redding, California, on Oct. 25-27.

Jim Orr is a retired U.S. Navy JAG Corps Captain and grandfather of player Raelin Schweizer.