USL To Honor Moylan With Award

by A-League Press Release
Published on September 24, 2000 under USL First Division (USL-1)

A-League Press Release

AOM golf tournament and Archie Moylan Award established

TAMPA, Fla. -- Over the past few years, several members of the United Soccer Leagues family have passed away, but the recent death of Reading Rage General Manager and Head Coach Paul (Archie) Moylan hit home.

Moylan, 36, fought a lengthy battle with cancer since being diagnosed in October of 1998, showing great courage in returning to the field to coach the past two seasons. Shortly after his original diagnosis of colon cancer, Moylan was told that the disease had spread to his liver and that he would be facing the challenge of his life over the coming months. The challenge was made easier with a new experimental treatment program that required an arterial port connection through his chest to a machine that delivered the medicine directly to his liver.

Moylan's strong will, which also led his hometown team Sligo Rangers to the FAI Cup and the first round of the European Cup Winners Cup in his playing days, helped take control of the disease over the next eight months. After reaching a point where his life was manageable again, Moylan assumed the reigns of the Rage full-time again in 1999 despite the permanent medical equipment and was named the D3 Pro League Coach of the Year. Alongside longtime assistant Tony Didyoung, the former Penn State forward helped guide the team to another postseason appearance in 2000.

The Irishman, who was dubbed Archie after the Scottish international Archie Gemmell by the kids in his hometown of Sligo, was one of the founding members of the Rage in 1996 and led his team to the postseason each year.

"It was all basically Archie's doing," said team President Jerome Wojton. "He was the person with the concept of bringing a team to the area."

As the cancer began to again take control of his life this past season, Moylan's presence diminished on the sideline but not in everyone's hearts.

"He was my best friend," said Wojton. "I loved him like a brother.

"He was a great person in getting in touch with the community, with the kids. He had a magic personality, an ability to take over an audience with his Irish accent."

"Archie was not only a personal friend of mine, but of American soccer," said USL President Francisco Marcos. "His dedication to the sport should serve as an inspiration to the current members of the USL family and friends of soccer throughout the country."

In memory of Archie, United Soccer Leagues has established the Archie Moylan Award to recognize a member of the USL family who has shown great courage or dedicated humanitarianism. In addition, the golf tournament for the Annual Operations Meeting in November has been designated as the Archie Moylan Charity Golf Tournament to help raise funds for the Moylan Cancer Fund and other cancer charities.

Moylan's playing career also included stints with the Boston Bolts of the ASL (1990) and the Philadelphia Freedom of the PDL ('94-95) before playing for the Rage ('96-97).

Condolences and contributions to the Moylan Cancer Fund can be sent to the Reading Rage office at 2201 Ridgewood Road, Suite 375, Wyomissing PA 19610.

USL First Division Stories from September 24, 2000

• USL To Honor Moylan With Award - OSC Original by A-League Press Release

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