San Diego, California – October 24, 2024
FC Balboa’s Men’s First Team is set to face Chula Vista FC in a pivotal US Open Cup Qualifier Second Round match this Sunday, October 27th, at 6:30 PM at Logan Memorial Educational Campus.
While the match signifies a crucial competition, it also underscores the club’s deep-rooted commitment to nurturing young footballers and upholding the values championed by the late Jean Kuczka, an educator renowned for her dedication to respect, as echoed in her words,
“Before you are anything else, you are a human. And every human deserves respect.”
Family Photo taken in December 2019 outside Belching Beaver in North Park. (From left to right, Jean Kuczka, Steve Kuczka Sr., Steve Kuczka Jr., Joseph Kuczka, Abbey Kuczka)
Steve Kuczka, assistant coach, goal player, and team manager, honors his mother Jean Kuczka’s enduring legacy through his dedicated work with FC Balboa. Much like Jean, who was a national champion collegiate field hockey goalie renowned for her stoicism and teamwork, Steve is a committed advocate for youth education and development.
Today marks the second anniversary of Jean Kuczka’s passing. She was posthumously awarded the Citizens Honor Single Act of Heroism from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society for her bravery on October 24, 2022, when she sacrificed herself to shield and protect her students from an armed intruder at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis, Missouri.
Over her 38-year career, Jean inspired future generations with a love of learning and respect, embodying her belief that “every child is a unique human being and deserves a chance to learn.” In tribute to her influence, the First Team will soon wear a commemorative patch displaying “61”—for her birth year and years lived—emblazoned with the message “EVERYONE DESERVES RESPECT.”
Jean’s life was marked by selfless dedication, extending beyond her teaching and coaching career as she actively supported, cycled, and fundraised to help find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes, with her younger son Joe having the condition. As a devoted mother of five, her mission of service and support now lives on through the Jean Kuczka Foundation, continuing to leave a profound community impact on countless lives.
August 2021 Pacific Beach, Steve Kuczka with his Dad and Mom
Head Coach Duda Coelho and Assistant Coach Steve Kuczka lead the First Team with a shared vision of growth, respect, and education. Their efforts extend beyond the team; they play integral roles in the club’s long-term Football Development and Coach Education. This dedication was recently recognized with two coach grants from Up2Us, enhancing their ability to further the club’s mission.
Football Development Meeting with SDFC at the Granada House in North Park (from left to right, Duda Coelho, Steve Kuczka, Mario Fernandez, and Chhem Young-Pen)
Featuring seven players under 18, the First Team exemplifies FC Balboa’s commitment to nurturing young footballers and ensuring a clear path to adult football. The players embody the club’s high standards of behavior through their participation.
First Team Photo from September 2024 at Grossmont High School before a Fall ’24 UPSL match
FC Balboa is more than a club; it is a community dedicated to excellence and inclusivity. Participating in the US Open Cup is a significant milestone, and community support is essential for its continuation and the perpetuation of Jean’s legacy. The club envisions a sustainable, no-pay-to-play model for the First Team and seeks community donations and sponsorships to realize its goals.
To support the First Team contribute by DONATING NOW; please specify “First Team” in the donation notes. For sponsorship opportunities, or to contact the First Team directly, please email [email protected].
Join FC Balboa in celebrating this significant milestone and support the team this Sunday, October 27th, at 6:30 PM as they compete against Chula Vista FC in the US Open Cup Qualifier Second Round at Logan Memorial Educational Campus.
Please check out the intentions on the First team page.