Above: Justin Chezem ’05, Keith Parr ’99, Paul Crowley ’08, John Harvell ’91, Erica Flanigan ’03, Jonathan Howard ’14, Lindsay Birch ’02, David Weiner ’08
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These former athletes thought they left it all on the field at the last match-up of their college careers. Few, if any, could have imagined that life after graduation would lead them back to the place they knew so well. But nine of the University’s head coaches have done just that – returned to Christopher Newport to lead the teams they used to play for, bringing with them a talent for coaching powered by a love of their alma mater.
“It’s really hard to match the passion of a Christopher Newport graduate when we are trying to find the right person to join our team,” said Athletic Director Kyle McMullin.
If these alums had a thumb on the scale when they applied for the job, it was because of that unique passion McMullin mentioned. But just as importantly, these nine Captains were proven commodities, having spent years earning trust and building relationships as student-athletes. Because of these factors, McMullin believes hiring alums to coach is typically a low-risk, high-return strategy. After all, these coaches are already rooted in the culture of excellence that defines Christopher Newport. All accepted the job fully aware of what the expectations would be.
“Whether as a head coach, assistant coach, or part of the department's staff, the alumni in our department understand on a very personal level what it means to lead and teach the students on our campus. I am proud of having so many alumni within the department of athletics,” said McMullin. “Not only is it a reflection of the personal experience each of these individuals has as a Captain for Life, but it is a testament to how each of them lives the ideals of Christopher Newport.”
Few coaches know this better than John Harvell ’91, who is entering his 23rd year of coaching baseball. Recognized as one of the nation’s elite Division III head coaches, he has led his alma mater to ten NCAA tournament appearances, six conference championships and three Division III College World Series appearances. With a winning percentage of over 67%, Harvell is ranked in the Top 30 of head coaches in Division III. This level of success is all the more meaningful to Harvell because it has happened at Christopher Newport.
“It’s been so amazing to coach where I played basketball and baseball. It’s always felt like the ultimate compliment to be welcomed back and supported in this way.”
Like Harvell, all of the alum-coaches love where they’ve been, but they also have a clear vision of where they want their teams to go. Football coach Paul Crowley ’08 admits that coaching where you used to play means the stakes are higher, both professionally and personally. “Coaching at your alma mater certainly adds an extra component of wanting to live up to the standard that has been set.”
Continuing to meet that high standard is his top priority, as he works to continue building on the success of the program.
“I would say that I never had a plan to come back to CNU to coach. But it has been a pleasant surprise and an honor to coach at my alma mater,” said Crowley. “It’s a big bonus to have a connection to the players from the past, as well as see the development of our current student-athletes as they progress over the course of their college careers, and eventually into their professional lives.”
Erica Flanigan ’03 is entering her 16th year of coaching Cheerleading at Christopher Newport, something she says she’s deeply grateful to have the opportunity to do. “I have been coaching since I was 15 years old. Making a career out of a passion is something we all dream about. Being able to return as coach and lead the University’s Cheerleading program has meant so much to me. My goal is always for the athletes I work with to walk away with wonderful memories of both the program and University that will last a lifetime.”
“The nature of working intercollegiate athletics is that games rarely happen at 11 a.m. on a Wednesday,” McMullin says the demands of the job speak to the level of devotion these alums possess. “For those of us that choose this career and lifestyle, we know it is very demanding of our nights and weekends, so you really need to have a passion for doing it.”
And these Captains for Life clearly do. Which means the next time you attend a football, softball, baseball or volleyball game, or take in some women’s golf, cheerleading, dance, men’s soccer or women’s tennis, you have twice the reason to cheer: for both the players on the field and the fellow alums on the sidelines.