Michael S. Barnhill Memorial Fund

First Sergeant Mike Barnhill Sr., USMC Reserves was killed in action in Iraq on Friday, May 27, 2005. Mike was a member of the Orangevale Youth Soccer Club Board of Directors, a coach and referee. He is survived by his wife Joanna and their three children. Mike was also a guard at the Mule Creek Correctional Facility in Ione, Ca.

The Club has established a fund for Mike's family. Checks can be made out to: Orangevale Youth Soccer Club Mike Barnhill Memorial Fund. All donations can be mailed to: Orangevale Youth Soccer Club, P. O. Box 2617, Orangevale, Ca. 95662.

This was Mike's second tour of duty in Iraq having been part of the initial invasion and returning last winter when his unit was redeployed for their current assignment scheduled to end in September.

Those of us that knew him appreciated his straight-ahead attitude, willingness to volunteer for any job, and his ability to complete all of those jobs. Mike started his coaching carrier with Orangevale like many of us, he saw a need and didn't think twice. Having been a soccer player and swimmer at Folsom High School, he naturally gravitated to coaching when his own children started playing. To say that Mike had the "soccer bug" was an understatement. Soon after starting to coach his own children's teams, he returned to the soccer pitch competing in both indoor and outdoor adult leagues.

Knowing Mike and his personality, it wasn't a shock to anyone when he
volunteered to become part of the Orangevale Youth Soccer Club Board of
Directors in 2001. Again, he saw a need and stepped up to the challenge serving as both a Referee Coordinator and Uniform/Equipment Coordinator over the past few years.

In addition to coaching, playing and serving on our Board of Directors, Mike was also a Certified Referee. We often relied on his special "tough-love" approach to officiating soccer matches for our Under-16 and 19 Boys and Girls games. Mike had a way of commanding respect from both players and coaches just by walking on the field. I always looked forward to having Mike officiate one of my games because I knew he would not only be fair in his assessment of fouls but, due to his own personal experience as a player and his dedication to keeping personally fit, would always be in the best position on the field to "make the call."

He was a life-long soccer player and a good-will ambassador of the game
where ever he found himself. During his most recent tour of duty, the Club
sent him shipments of soccer balls and outdated uniforms from our supplies
so he could start inter-squad games within his unit in Iraq. He was also
know to pass out an OYSC soccer ball or two to young Iraqi soccer enthusiasts.

Mike was a good man and a good friend. Please consider his family in your
prayers.

Thanks,

Pete Phillips
Manager, Orangevale Youth Soccer Club