DIAMOND BAR AYSO
Region 31
I am a firm believer that life seeks balance. It is this balance that prevents the world from coming unraveled. Good versus evil; friction versus inertia; joy versus sadness. Balance is a good thing … right down to Balanced Teams.
The way I came to know Jeff was characteristic of his personality. When I was a “freshman” volunteer, Jeff walked up to me on a U8 field. Through whispers and field chatter, I knew he was a former Diamond Bar Regional Commissioner and now the Assistant Section Director. I said, “Hi. What’cha up to?” In a warm but perfectly serious tone he says, “Oh I’m just standing here to make you nervous.” He meant it in his own way. He was trying to rattle me. He had that sort of sense of humor. I replied, “You don’t make me nervous. I’m not doing anything wrong.” Over the years, Jeff and I continued to verbally joust in this way even until I last saw him in the hospital. He wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
Few names, if any, are as synonymous with AYSO as Jeff Hull. To a whole crop of AYSO volunteers, his name alone meant “The word of AYSO”. Jeff Hull championed the kids of AYSO for over 22 years. Jeff worked tirelessly for us while raising two daughters and through the premature death of his wife.
I discovered that Jeff’s commitment to AYSO and kids was without peer. Some people volunteer for AYSO; others embody it. Jeff Hull was the latter. His approach to almost everything AYSO was the same: use the “kids” as the ideological compass, and you can’t go wrong. His focus was always on what was best for the kids (sometimes even at the expense long standing personal friendships).
Jeff had what few do: the courage to step in; speak out; ruffle feathers; make a mess; pick up the pieces; and admit when he was wrong. These qualities were simultaneously endearing and troubling. Anyone who worked with Jeff knew that if we disappointed him, he was going to tell us, and he wasn’t likely to sugar coat it. Jeff balanced his often brutal honesty with the need to get things done at many levels. He didn’t lie; but often deftly side stepped issues that derailed his agenda. His unwavering honesty was one of his greatest strengths.
Not everyone liked him as I do. I told his daughters this week that Jeff is like Jimmy Stewart’s character in “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Everyone loves him, even those who don’t like him very much.
I am sure that I am among many who will miss Jeff Hull terribly. AYSO will never be the same for me. It can’t be.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the
Jeff Hull Disaster Assistance Fund c/o the AYSO National Office
