Bryan Cassidy · 1991 Honoree

Bryan Cassidy was born in Dublin, Ireland, one seven siblings. His parents subscribed to the old irish Christian adage; “the devil always finds work for idle hands,” and insisted the children have interests outside their normal schooling and family chores. They were each selected for various disciplines; Bryan played the flute, studied drama and loved athletic pursuits. Characterizing his boyhood in the old country, he says, “We didn't have T.V. in those days but there was always something to keep us entertained.”

When Mr. Cassidy came to live on Capitol Hill in 1963 as an architectural consultant to the Irish Embassy, he found an urban setting that had just the sort of “human scale and community warmth” which made him feel at home. He noticed, however, that there were not the same avenues of entertainment for his four children that he had himself enjoyed. “Families had begun moving away from the Hill and there were few organized youth programs. 

In 1971 Bryan started “ferrying” kids to play in the Alexandria soccer league. Two years later they had recruited enough youngsters to field a complete team and brought, not only the trophy, but a lasting tradition back with them across the Potomac.

Coach Cassidy never envisioned “Soccer on the Hill” becoming the success it is today. Soccer was still an imported sport. He remembers combing the city streets for idle kids and willing coaches. “So many of the kids were from fatherless households and desperately needed a program of this nature.” He would take kids home with him after muddy games and feed them while their clothes were being laundered.

By 1977, they were silk screening shirts in Bryan’s basement and in 1980 “Soccer on the Hill” was incorporated. Today there are over 400 kids enrolled in the program and Saturday morning finds Kenilworth Park abuzz with uniformed youngsters and enthusiastic adults.

Bryan regrets that we put so much emphasis on winning these days, it’s so much more fun for the kids when the teams are relatively even. “We operate a draft system to allocate talent evenly throughout the league and everyone gets to play in each game.” He is adamant in his belief that “super teams” and the “winning is everything” philosophy do a terrible disservice in children’s sports.

Bryan Cassidy is active at St. Peter’s Catholic Church and serves as a representative to the Capitol Hill Group Ministry. He has an abiding love for his fellow man and volunteers his time at the Church of the Brethren Soup kitchen, Mt. Carmel House and even designed the new dining room at S.O.M.E. By the way, he only remembers two tunes on the flute, but he is quite an accomplished thespian and is currently performing in the Washington Shakespeare Company’s production of “Julius Ceasar.”

Bryan would be the first to admit that mere love of your fellow man does not always take one down the smoothest paths in life, but he is a living Capitol Hill example that when you truly care about people and families and community, the road will always “rise to meet you.”