College students kicking a soccer ball in the center of campus isn’t an unusual sight. At Virginia Peninsula Community College, however, it took on greater significance Aug. 2 as those students were participating in the first practice for the Gators men’s soccer program.
Just six players were on hand, but coach Kevin Darcy wasn’t discouraged.
“We’ve got a bunch of guys who are still working that didn’t adjust their schedules,” he said.
He also noted his first practice was about two weeks before at least one local four-year college asked its players to report.
“We purposely started early, knowing it’s going to take time to get players in,” he said. “Players are still applying, finding out there’s a team. I think by next week, we’ll be much further along.”
The College announced in January the addition of the men’s soccer program along with men’s and women’s cross country/track and field. Darcy was hired in May.
Those on hand Wednesday did a little conditioning and went through some drills. The day before, Darcy had an information session to discuss his expectations with players and make sure they have enrolled in classes and are handling their paperwork.
Among the players who attended both sessions was Dylan Hearon, an 18-year-old freshman from Gloucester. He’s studying business management.He heard about the program from Craig Raines, his former Gloucester High School coach, who is an assistant at VPCC. Hearon said he wouldn’t have enrolled at VPCC if it were not for soccer.
“I was going to take a year off and get my life together and figure out what I wanted to do, but then the opportunity presented itself,” he said. “I was very happy to hop on it.”
Hearon also played football and volleyball in high school.
“Since I started playing soccer, I knew I wanted to have it be something I did for a long time,” he said. “I knew that when I went to college, I wanted to play soccer.”
Confident he will have at least 16 players on his roster, Darcy compiled a 12-game schedule.The planned opener at Regent University in Virginia Beach on Aug. 19 might be a scrimmage. If that happens, the first men’s soccer match in VPCC history will be at home against the College of Southern Maryland. (The site, time and date are being finalized.) Darcy also is trying to line up a few friendlies against local club travel teams or local college club teams. The Gators will be in the New South Athletic Conference and part of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
The College plans to add two more athletic teams for the 2024-25 academic year, bringing to nine the number of intercollegiate sports it sponsors.
For more on the College and its athletic programs, visit vpcc.edu.