After serving as the Northgate High athletic director for the past six years, Steve Chappell may be used to viewing the month of July as his lone month of rest.
That’s not something he was able to count on this summer.
At the conclusion of the school year, Chappell left his administrative role at the Walnut Creek school to take on a new job that focuses on a long time passion. On June 15, Chappell accepted the role of executive director for the Walnut Creek Soccer Club.
“It’s the opportunity to give back to the club where I started as a 9-year old,” said Chappell, who will continue his role as the Northgate High boys soccer coach, a position he’s held for 11 seasons. “This is a club were my children had played or are currently playing, and it’s an opportunity to give back and serve to the community I live in.”
Chappell is already stepping into a club that has experienced a great deal of success in recent years. WCSC, which features competitive programs for both boys and girls U8-U18, will have a club-best 10 teams playing in the National Premier League for the upcoming season.
“What I hope to help improve on is the overall organization and structure of the house and competitive programs,” Chappell said. “The same can be said for our professional training staff and our partnerships “” I hope to bridge those gaps and to improve and enhance them to best serve our coaches and players.”
One of Chappell’s first big tasks with the club “” and what likely made his July a little different than the most recent ones he’s experienced “” is to help organize and execute its second annual Invitational Challenge event.
The free event, which takes place at Northgate High on Aug. 6, serves as somewhat of the club’s opening ceremonies for the 2016-17 season. It will feature a pair of exhibition games between WCSC competitive programs and a visiting club. The WCSC Boys ’01 team will play Bay Oaks at 1:30 p.m., followed by the WCSC Girls ’98 team taking on CenCal Cosmos of Clovis.
Several of Walnut Creek’s other teams will be in attendance and in uniform to be recognized. Former Brazilian Women’s National Team star and a current WCSC trainer, Sissi, will be also be on hand signing autographs for fans. Food trucks will be on hand as well as vendors and live music, in the hope of creating what Chappell described as a “festival atmosphere.”
Yep. Chappell’s quiet Julys are certainly a thing of the past.
“” Chace Bryson