Dennis "Otis" Woodward

Dennis 'Otis' Woodward

Friend of the University


A message from the Contributors

Dennis “Otis” was a dear friend and supporter of the FSU Men’s Soccer team between 1988 and 2000, when his two sons and future alumni were members of the team. Derek “Woody” Woodward and Trevor Woodward were both four-year members of the team and each were central players on teams on which they played and captains during their senior years. (There is an animated debate between the brothers about whose team was better.) Derek also served as an assistant coach from 1992-1995.” Otis” attended almost every match during the span his sons played, even traveled overnight to Williams, MA to watch Derek play in an ECAC semi-final match. He supported the entire team, not only his sons, and always kept the players entertained with his quick wit.

"Otis" Woodward was a former soccer player and coach, himself, and died of cancer May 9, 2013 at the age of 64. He played professionally for the Baltimore Bays of the American Soccer League in the late 1960s and early 1970s, facing Pele twice when Santos of Brazil toured the United States. Woodward also played for the Washington Diplomats of the North American Soccer League in 1974. He was an accomplished referee, earning a national grade, and spent several years as a referee in the Major Indoor Soccer League in the 1980s, working many Blast games. He coached Baltimore-area children for 20 years in the CYO league for St. Elizabeth's. He was inducted into the Maryland OldTimer's Soccer Hall of Fame in 2001.