Just one language: Soccer

Eighteen immigrant high-school boys who attend a special public school to learn English are demonstrating eloquence with their feet as a soccer team this spring.

The students attend the Secondary Bilingual Orientation Center (BOC) on Queen Anne Hill and are coached by Juan Carlos Torres, an instructional assistant at the school.

The first-year team is playing a schedule against high-school junior varsity and "C" teams and entered this week with a 4-1-2 record. Torres said the team would love to play some varsity teams if opponents can be found.

In a country that likes to call itself a melting pot and at a time when immigration has become a front-page debate, the games are providing not only an introduction to American sports, but an important tool to education and a critical connection to their school. This collection of players from seven different countries is learning — and perhaps teaching — lessons that go far beyond soccer.

Mike Ryan, an Irish immigrant who coaches Nathan Hale's JV , called the BOC team a "great addition" to high-school soccer in the city because of the skill level of some of the players and the team's international flavor.

The former University of Washington and U.S. national women's team coach said the team demonstrates soccer's universal appeal.

"You put that ball out there and you don't need language," said Ryan. "It's like taking a Teddy Bear to bed.

"They are very nice kids," Ryan said after the teams had exchanged handshakes after a recent 4-4 tie. "I hope they keep that program."

Ryan joined the list of opposing coaches to compliment the team.

Norm Hardy, Seattle Prep's "C team" coach, said after losing 7-1 to BOC, "Their players apparently learned how to juggle a soccer ball before they learned to walk. Their top players would start for any varsity team in the Metro League.

"Juan is doing a great job with them, not only in playing but in sportsmanship and class."

The BOC team doesn't have an official nickname, but Torres said the players call themselves "the Internationals." That seems appropriate for a team with boys from seven countries — Thailand, Mexico, Ethiopia, Senegal, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.

The BOC is located in the old John Hay Elementary School buildings. In addition to the faculty and staff, about 40 community volunteers help more than 280 immigrants ages 12 to 20 from more than 30 countries. The goal is to master English well enough to move into mainstream schools, usually in English-as-a-second-language programs.

"You can have a 12-year-old sitting next to a 17-year-old in a class at our school," explained BOC principal Martin O'Callaghan. He said English-language skills, not age, determine which classes a student takes.

English fluency is the driving force throughout the school. In a physical-education class taught by Tony Fore, the class goes over a vocabulary list before any physical activity starts.

Students stay at the school from one to three semesters. Principal O'Callaghan said the average English reading level when students arrive is kindergarten or first grade. When they depart, most are at a fourth-grade level.

The BOC started in 1979, but this is its first athletic team. It came about because of the persistence of Torres, a native of Mexico, who joined the staff three years ago.

"I was like a mosquito," said Torres, who pestered the district athletic office to give his students a chance to play.

The team started the season practicing in a small Queen Anne park littered with dog droppings and bare spots, but later received permission to use Memorial Stadium, the team's home field, one day a week for what is now its only practice. Torres said the Queen Anne park is no longer used by the team because of safety concerns.

At a recent practice, Torres gave instructions in English. When he used an uncommon word, such as "perspective," he asked the players if they understood. The next day against Hale, with competitive juices flowing, Torres gave instructions to Spanish-speaking players in his native language.

Principal O'Callaghan said the grades of many players have improved since the team was formed. One reason: Torres requires weekly grade and attendance reports and benches players who don't perform in the classroom.

Torres believes the interscholastic sport is providing "discipline, friends and values."

One of the team's standouts, forward Jhoswan Reynosa, from Guatemala, said having the team makes going to school more fun.

Michael Mulugeta, from Ethiopia, put it a different way. "It's football," he said. "I enjoy it."

The skill level is impressive. Against Nathan Hale, Reynosa made a bicycle kick that hit the crossbar and scored the tying goal by dribbling 45 yards past three defenders. Hermon Getu scored on a header after a perfect crossing pass from Franklin Chinchilla.

Players have spiffy red home jerseys purchased by the school. The white road jerseys were a Nike donation through the non-profit organization "Tree House." Players had to buy their own shoes, shorts and other gear, but money from the Saul Haas Fund helped the neediest players from this school where 95 percent of the students qualify for free or reduced lunches.

O'Callaghan said most of the families "scratched together the dollars" to buy gear for their sons, and said he thinks this "says a lot for the families' desire to pay their way."

The experience seems to be positive for everyone involved, including the BOC's opponents.

As Hale coach Ryan said after the two teams tied, "There was just one religion out there and it was soccer."

Craig Smith: 206-464-8279 or csmith@seattletimes.com