Waller: Reaching Milestone ‘Reflects Teamwork, Dedication’

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Scott Waller, Cooperstown Central School Class of ’93, has achieved a coaching milestone: 300 wins. Scott is the head coach for the Gonzaga College High School soccer team in Washington, D.C.

Scott is the son of former Cooperstown Mayor Carol Waller and her husband, Bill. His parents attended the milestone game on September 2, which Gonzaga won 3-1. Scott’s son, Charlie, scored two of the goals. It was his 17th birthday.

Prior to the evening home game on September 4, Gonzaga Athletic Director Terry Kernan and School President Rev. Joseph E. Lingan, S.J. presented Scott with a 300 Game Plaque and a trophy soccer ball, emblazoned with “300 Wins,” and with panels featuring pictures from prior victories.
Gonzaga went on to win the September 4 game with Scott’s son, Charlie, scoring another goal—three goals in three games.

“Reflecting on the 300 win milestone, what stands out most is the people I’ve worked with,” Scott wrote in an e-mail to AllOtsego. “My foundation in coaching began with my father, then Mr. Porto (Ian Porto’s father), and continued under the late Jim Huntington, Jerry Townsend, and, most significantly, Frank Miosek.

“Frank shaped my approach not only to the tactics of the game, but to understanding and developing the players as people. I still reflect on my high school and college experiences and how they influenced my coaching philosophy,” Scott said.

Scott was a standout player at CCS and played for Coach Miosek for four years. Head coach at Gonzaga since 2005, Scott’s teams have earned 10 Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Championships and five District of Columbia State Athletic Association Championships. He has been honored as Coach of the Year twice by the WCAC, two times by “The Washington Post,” and four times by the DCSAA.

Scott’s teams have consistently been ranked in the top 10 in the nation by the United Soccer Coaches Poll and, for the 2024 season, was the fourth ranked high school soccer team in the country. His overall record as of Monday, October 20 is 308-94-56 and the team is currently 9-4-3 on the season.

“We began the year ranked fifth in the nation,” Scott wrote in an e-mail, “but after a very challenging schedule—including a trip to play a top-10 team in Colorado and a home loss to the current number one team from Cleveland, we are currently outside the top 25.”

The team is 11th in the Washington, D.C. rankings as of press time.

Under Scott’s guidance, eight Gonzaga players have been named Gatorade State Player of the Year, and 15 have been selected to the first-team All-Met in “The Washington Post.” Many Gonzaga graduates play for Division 1 college teams and even go on to professional soccer clubs.

Scott has been a teacher at Gonzaga College High School since 1998. A former head of the math department, he continues to teach math and also oversees the Gonzaga Summer Learning Program and the Gonzaga Summer Sports Camps. He serves on the Board of the McLain (VA) Soccer Club.

Scott was a standout on the varsity soccer team of Castleton State College (VT), where he earned two Academic All-American honors, was named a New England Small College Athletic Conference Senior All-Star, and made the All-Conference First Team three times.

“I’ve been a fan of the game since childhood. I love watching soccer at every level: club, high school, and college, and if I can’t be at a live match, I usually have one on TV at home,” Scott wrote in the e-mail.

“Reaching 300 wins feels less like a personal achievement and more like recognition of the talented athletes I’ve coached and the excellent staff I’ve been privileged to work with. It’s a milestone that reflects teamwork, dedication and a lot of people investing in the program,” he said.

Scott’s older daughter, Kira, is a member of the University of Virginia Varsity Soccer team and has received Academic All-American Honors. His son Charlie plays for Gonzaga and was voted Offensive Player of the Year in 2024. His younger daughter, Naomi, plays for Alexandria Soccer Club and is a member of the U.S. Olympic Development Team Eastern Division.

Scott lives in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife, Suzy, their three children and their dog, Chili.

William Waller and Darla M. Youngs contributed to this article.