Former Green Hope High boys and girls tennis coach Kevin Taylor gave up a successful career so his son can play hockey. But unlike many parents who sacrifice so their children can pursue stardom, Taylor just wants his son to get a chance to play.

He said he doesn't care if his son ever plays professional hockey or even if he plays on the collegiate level.

"I just believe that athletics help teach life lessons," Taylor said. "I want to do whatever I can to help my son have those athletic opportunities."

In this case, "whatever" includes 16-year-old Kyle Taylor and his mother Kelley moving last fall to Centreville, Va., so that he could play for the Little Caps, a 16-and-under USA Hockey Tier 1 youth league hockey team. Kevin and his daughter Kristine, who graduated from Leesville Road High last month, remained here.

Kevin Taylor built a 76-6 overall record in boys and girls tennis in two seasons as coach at Green Hope. He recently resigned his teaching and coaching jobs in anticipation of moving somewhere with his wife and son. Kristine is off to college at the University of Missouri, but the rest of the family's destination depends on which youth team offers Kyle a spot on its roster.

Kyle will try out for the Chicago Fury 18-and-under team this summer, and if he makes it the family will move to Chicago. If Kyle doesn't make that team, he has invitations to try out with others around the country.

The mother, father and son will move wherever he can play.

"I know what it sounds like," Kevin Taylor said. "It sounds like a family which has allowed sports to overshadow everything else. But that's not the case. I haven't drunk the Kool-Aid. There are no second and third reasons for doing this.

"I think Kyle has learned lessons by playing sports that will help him throughout life. We're not looking for some payoff down the line, a scholarship or playing in the NHL. But I do want to give him the chance to do something he loves."

Kyle Taylor began in-line hockey when he was 7 or 8 years old and moved to the ice when he was 10. He became a goaltender and kept advancing through the various youth levels.

"He plays the most expensive position in the most expensive sport to play. Every time he grows four inches it is another $3,000 for equipment," his father said.

Eventually, though, Kyle came to a roadblock.

"I was cut three times by the Junior Hurricanes," Kyle Taylor said, referring to the Carolina Hurricanes' youth affiliate. "I knew that I would eventually have to move if I wanted to play hockey in college. The move just came earlier than I expected."

Last July, Kyle earned a roster spot with the Little Caps, and he started about half of the Little Caps' games last season. He played well enough to earn invitations to try out for older youth teams.

There was not any question about the support of his family, which has a history of sacrificing for their children's athletics.

Kristine was an Eastern U.S. gymnastics champion when she was younger, and the parents were used to dividing travel opportunities for national competitions.

The move to Centreville went smoothly. Kyle adjusted quickly to his new school and hockey teammates.

"It's been great," said Kyle, who played golf at Centreville High, just as he did at Leesville Road when he was a freshman. "I've always wanted to play hockey on the college level, and I want to do whatever I can to reach that goal.

"Luckily, I have parents who are willing to support me."

Kevin Taylor changed careers three years ago and started teaching in high school after he attended a business seminar where the speaker said one regret was not spending more time with his children when they were in high school.

Taylor taught at Green Hope for a year before he started coaching the tennis teams in his second year.

"It was a wonderful experience," he said. "We had very talented players, and I enjoyed teaching and coaching. I really am going to miss Green Hope."

Taylor's girls team had a 37-4 record in his two seasons, and the boys were 36-3.

Mickey Bissette, the Green Hope athletic director, said Taylor was great with students and tried to teach the right life lessons.

"He was all about doing things the right way," Bissette said. "He has been great for us. ... I've never heard of a coach leaving for these reasons before, but I know how important his family is to him. I'm really not surprised."

Kyle Taylor wants to play college hockey and dreams of possibly playing in the NHL, but his father cautions him to enjoy the present.

"To me, the payoff is in the experiences right now," he said. "We want each child to have every opportunity to do their best. It is really that simple."