Dan Washburn's Sporting Life

League president has a passion for soccer

By Dan Washburn
The Times
December 5, 1999 — Mario Mendez's plate is not only full, it's overflowing.

"Oh, yes," sighed Mendez, president of the Gainesville Georgia Soccer Association. "My time is limited."

Mendez, 36, a native of Belize, is an emergency room technician at Northeast Georgia Medical Center and a full-time nursing student at North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega. Yet he still finds the time to volunteer his leadership skills to Gainesville's adult soccer league. He has been president of the 46-team organization since 1997.

"This is my passion," said Mendez, who moved to Gainesville six years ago after living in Los Angeles and Tampa. "I originally said I didn't want to be president because I'd be too involved. Now I'm too involved."

Mendez smiled, paused for a moment and added, "But this is my passion."

Mendez has a hands-on approach to guiding the league, which has almost 1,000 players.

Weekly, he personally lines each of the league's playing fields — which are scattered throughout Oakwood, Murrayville, Jefferson, Buford and Dahlonega.

"It takes me a while," chuckled Mendez, who also plays in the league as a member of team Honduras.

In 1997, Mendez inherited a 26-team league that had a reputation of disorganization during its previous decade of existence.

In the past three years, the league has grown to 46 teams and seems headed in the right direction.

"(Mario) is doing a great job," said Fernando Sanchez, 29, who plays for Durango, one of the league's top teams. "We all agree with what he is doing. That's why he's still in charge."

And Mendez plans to stay there. He's not done yet.

"There were changes to be made and the changes are being seen now," Mendez said. "I have a vision. The teams are getting better. We have a growing popularity. I think people are satisfied. But there is still more I want to do."