Yamaguchi Soccer Fields at Southern Community Park

[William Madden]

Board:

Please take note that I will amend this request at a later date. 

Please ask staff to consider naming the soccer fields at Southern Community Park for Chapel Hill's native soccer stars and overall wonderful people, the Yamauchi Brothers. 

Both Noz and Naoshi Yamauchi grew up in Chapel Hill before excelling at UNC-CH and Appalachian State University, respectively. They both played varsity soccer while attending Chapel Hill High School. The younger brother, Noz, also played for East Chapel High School when the school opened. They both excelled on the soccer field for their varsity NCAA D1 teams. 

Noz was an All-American and regular starter on UNC's first national championship team in Fall 2001. As I was an Assistant Referee and 4th Official for Atlantic Coast Conference and semi-pro matches in North Carolina, I have no doubt that they both could have played at the professional level had they wanted. 

My general understanding is that both of their parents were researchers/ instructors at the UNC School of Dentistry. Noz graduated UNC School of Dentistry and specializes in endodontics.

They have both played competitive soccer at these very fields! They both played in a competitive Latino league with matches at Southern Community Park. Yes,  I refereed their matches. I remember their dear mother. 

Surely, Randee Haven-O'Donnell's husband can say more of the brothers' soccer accomplishments. Jerry O'Donnell coached Noz's U-15 team long ago. 

To the North Carolina Youth Soccer Association (NCYSA), this is an opportunity to highlight their own soccer players. The NCYSA informs all youth travel teams of the locations of NCYSA-affiliated matches. The NCYSA informs its soccer parents, players, and coaches to locate fields at "Southern Community".

My thought is to let today's soccer players look for the "Yamauchi Brothers Fields". I know of no other ... anything named for our community members with Japanese surnames. 

Naoshi and his spouse and children still reside locally. Noz and his wife and children reside in Hawai'i. Naoshi is very reluctant to my idea only because he is humble. 

Staff may learn more of the Yamauchi Brothers by contacting the Assistant Head Coach of the semi-pro Tobacco Road FC of Durham, North Carolina. Davis Boyle is an assistant coach also for Chapel Hill High School where he teaches. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

William Madden

cc: Southern Village resident and Chapel Hill soccer community member, Jeff Nieman

[Jean Hamilton]

Dear William Madden,

 

On behalf of the Orange County Board of Commissioners thank you for sharing your viewpoint about Southern Community Park.  Southern Community Park is a Chapel Hill Town park and you may want to reach out to the Chapel Hill Town Council and the Mayor of Chapel Hill.

 

Sincerely,

Jean

 

Jean Hamilton, Chair

Orange County Board of Commissioners

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From: William Madden <madden....@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2026 2:13 PM
To: ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>
Cc: camp...@jeffnieman.com <camp...@jeffnieman.com>
Subject: Yamaguchi Soccer Fields at Southern Community Park

 

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