The Face of Collegiate Soccer

9/28/2019

For almost 40 years, Charlie Blair has been the face of Collegiate boys soccer.

He’d never tell you that, though. Never in a million years. In fact, he’d flat deny it. Any credit he’s received, he’s deflected to his athletes and coaching staff. That’s the way he operates.

Four hundred-plus victories? Eleven Prep League titles? Three VISAA championships? Multiple coach-of-the-year awards? Recipient upon his retirement in 2018 of the VISAA’s first Charlie Blair Award for Excellence in Coaching? He’s quietly proud, of course, and definitely humbled, but he doesn’t keep count of accolades.

There’s more, too.

In 2011, thanks to the vision and generosity of Sonia and Mac McDonald, Field 12 on the Robins Campus became the new home for Collegiate’s soccer program with the promise that it would bear Charlie’s name upon his retirement.

Yesterday, in an understated ceremony after the Cougars drew (0-0) with Norfolk Academy to retain the Tucker-Pitt Cup, the well-manicured pitch became, officially, Charlie Blair Field.

“Soccer at Collegiate and Charlie Blair are synonymous,” said Mac McDonald, whose sons Malcolm ’87 and Greg ’88 played for the Cougars and who, with Sonia, has watched more soccer matches than he can count. “Charlie has meant a great deal to our family. He’s built character in kids all along the way. His sense of ethics, honesty, team play have always been there. Charlie is the epitome of both a great school administrator and soccer coach.”

Truth be told, there’re plenty of folks who echo Mac McDonald’s sentiments. Here’re some thoughts from several of them.

Charlie is the perfect example for all of us that being competitive is not an either/or proposition. Charlie and I would talk all the time and sandbag with each other before games, but when it got down to time to play, he would fight you all the way. He and his players were also the absolute pinnacle of sportsmanship. That, to me, is his legacy: producing winning teams with winning players that also carried themselves the way he carried himself, which was with class and dignity, win or lose. Sean Wetmore, head boys soccer coach at Norfolk Academy (1996-2016)

The numbers are obviously impressive and should be appreciated, but the thing about Charlie was the way he approached the team concept and the way he developed young men. Rob (Ukrop) and I were fortunate to be co-pilots for 14 years. We were able to observe the impact he had on the athletes as their coach and as a walking role model. They will remember their experience as players: great wins and, unfortunately, some heartbreaking losses. They’ll also remember how he helped the star of the team as well as the guy who didn’t get as many minutes. The impact he had on them as people is the greatest legacy that he leaves. Shep Lewis ’96, assistant boys soccer coach at Collegiate

Mr. Blair has been an incredible mentor, friend, confidant. He’s a guy who just believes in people. He sees something in each player that he’s coached. He’s able to find your good qualities and really highlight them and amplify them and help you find your place in the world. Rob Ukrop ’88, head boys and girls soccer coach at Collegiate

From a parent’s perspective, Charlie always seemed to be patient and a good developer of young men. He always had high expectations and wanted to win games but do so in the right manner by displaying good sportsmanship and representing Collegiate in a positive manner. It seemed that he was more concerned about building the character of his players than anything else. At the end of the day, that is what matters the most. Jeff Modisett ‘78, whose sons Jeff ‘07 and Burke ‘11 played soccer for Collegiate

Charlie is the ultimate professional. He’s a great thinker, and his thoughtfulness comes through to everybody from his players to coaches he competes against him. Greg Monaco, head boys soccer coach at Norfolk Academy

Charlie epitomizes Collegiate and what it’s all about. He was my history teacher when I was in the 7^th grade…pretty formative years…and a positive influence in his general demeanor the way he taught but, more importantly, the way he treated me with respect. When I was a freshman playing varsity soccer, he had the same demeanor and respect for everyone on the team. Charlie could get his point across without raising his voice. He had an easy way of leading the team and allowing his players to maximize their abilities. That’s been evidenced through many years of success as a teacher and coach and head of the Middle School. Michael Campbell ‘87

With the dedication of our award-winning soccer pitch, Charlie Blair joins an elite group of Collegiate coaches whose names adorn buildings, fields, and other areas of athletic endeavor around campus. All share the same coaching DNA. While they were gentlemen, sportsmen of high character, and mentors both on and off the field, they also possessed an intense competitive fire. In short, they epitomized the Collegiate coaching model. Coach Blair focused on doing things the right way. He demanded the highest level of play in practice and games. He built a culture of success and the expectation of winning, all without losing the pure joy and fun of playing the game. Having had two Cougar soccer players, I can attest that this culture causes bonds to be formed between teammates and coaches that transcend the short period of time they get to spend with Charlie. These memories and life lessons tie us to Collegiate for a lifetime. Andy Wiley ’77, whose sons Colscon ’11 and Nash ’15 played soccer for Collegiate

Charlie is the ultimate player’s coach: a coach of few words and a coach who sees more than wins and losses. When Charlie looks at the pitch, he’s sees a game that teaches life’s most important lessons. He lets his players have the freedom to make mistakes, adjust,t and try again....much like the game of life. Charlie taught me how to play the game with passion and fire, all the while never letting me lose my happiness. He preached the importance of joy and never taking a moment for granted. Charlie showed me how sport is a metaphor for life and instilled in me the importance of never losing sight of joy. Colscon Wiley ‘11

Charlie is class personified. When I played for him, we were always sportsmanlike. If we weren’t doing things in a class manner, he held us accountable. He’s a great listener, always supportive, always very encouraging. He always provided me a great deal of wisdom as a teen-ager all the way up to working at Collegiate. The example he set, the atmosphere he created…he’s someone you want to emulate. Andrew Slater ’96, varsity baseball coach and director of Middle School student activities at Collegiate.
--Weldon Bradshaw

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