Coach Henry “Hank” Laut. If you knew him, you couldn’t think of him without smiling. His laugh, his exuberance and his total commitment to all the players he coached are legendary. Henry was born in Lampertheim, Germany, emigrated at the age of 17, and played semi-pro soccer with the Newark sports club as a young man.
A lover of sports, especially soccer, he coached for the Holland Soccer League for more than nine years, winning many championships. Coach Laut had severe arthritis throughout most of his body, with both hands being crippled. He never allowed his disability to be an excuse and inspired many of his players with his enthusiasm, wisdom and love of the game. As a dedicated volunteer coach, he never missed an opportunity to serve his community year after year.
After Henry’s sudden death in 2009, The Holland Soccer League established the Henry Laut Memorial Soccer Scholarship and dedicated a bench in his memory at the school soccer field. The league could think of no better way to honor Coach Laut and his love of this community, his belief in education, and his passion for soccer.
Today, his scholarship program helps graduating seniors of Delaware Valley High School pursue their dreams in higher education. Coach Laut will always be deeply missed by all that knew him. And because of this, his contagious love of playing and coaching soccer will continue to touch those who were never lucky enough to know him. Interested applicants can print a copy of the application at the Henry Laut Memorial Scholarship application link.
Linda Motta,
HSL President
Henry Laut Memorial Soccer Scholarship
