Coach Calvin Singleton was recently named the new Head Soccer Coach at Williamsburg Christian Academy starting in the 2019 season.  “Coach C” as his players call him, has over 20 years as a player and coach. Singleton grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, and Charleston County, South Carolina where he attended Lincoln High School and was a standout three-sport athlete in Soccer, Basketball and Football, and was named captain or co-captain in each sport. After graduating high school, Singleton attended Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina and studied Criminal Justice and Psychology.  Later, he started down the road towards a coaching mindset by assisting with the soccer programs at both Catawba College and North Rowan High School, also located in North Carolina. Calvin went on to coach at three more high schools, including Warhill High School and Mathews High School, and also at the collegiate levels– as an assistant and then head coach.  Singleton has also coached both basketball and football but soccer is where his heart lies. “When I was young watching Brazil play in a World Cup, I said to myself, ‘I don’t know what that is but I want to play it,” said Coach about his love for the game. “I’ve been living the dream to pass on knowledge of the game ever since.”

Singleton has had a wide spread of people who have helped him along the way. “I’ve traveled much of the country, and have networked with and been taught by many great influencers, including past coaches, all of whom have helped mold me to become a solid coach, player, and human being,” said Singleton about so many of the people in his life who have contributed to bringing him to this point in his career at WCA. He also credits his great grandmother who taught him to be a leader and fight for what he believes in no matter the outcome, to be himself, and to let God take care of the rest. He also looks up to Zinedine Zidane, legendary player and now coach of the prestigious Real Madrid football club and his willingness to think outside the box and change some outdated ways of thinking in the sport of Soccer.

Coach has had a long journey walking with Christ in his lifetime. Growing up, he was introduced to Christ at an early age. His Aunt was a Bishop and taught him that ‘faith is more than reading your Bible and showing up to church, you have to use what you learn and apply it to your personal life.’  He uses that advice to promote the love of Christ in everyday activities. So much so that he hopes to start his own mentoring company to help youth and young adults with everyday life.

Coach C is married to Dee with whom he raises their two young children Ava and Brayden, who are already following in dad’s footsteps. Coach C lives by his favorite quote ‘The future belongs to those who prepare for it today,’ and states that if you help at least one person to better themselves then you’ve left your mark. “It’s all about leaving a legacy, so I try to teach my players that, on and off the field.”

“I knew Coach Calvin was going to be the perfect mix of ‘tough’ and ‘laid back’ coaching styles that would fit in harmoniously with our varsity boys,” commented WCA Athletic Director Pam Gibbons on the hiring of Singleton. “I am really looking forward to seeing Coach C on the sidelines coaching our boys, and off the field providing the type of life skills mentoring that is so valuable to our student-athletes’ in the overall development of their Christian character.” With practices already underway, Gibbons said she has already seen the impact that Coach is making on the program, “The team is really gelling at the start of the season thus far, and I am thankful for Coach C stepping in to help create and foster a great team culture.”

“WCA is a great mentor to kids in our community, and one of the things that attracted me to WCA was the care and beliefs they have for, and give to the kids,” Singleton noted when asked what attracted him to the open position at WCA. “Iʼm excited to be a part of a school that allows students to let their light shine.”

WCA’s Varsity Soccer schedule will open up Friday, Septemeber 13th when they host Guardian Christian Academy.