On Thursday, May 3rd, varsity soccer Coach Marc Jones released disheartening news to the boy’s soccer teams following our annual Spring Sports Awards. Coach Jones will no longer be the Falcons’ varsity boys soccer coach.

First and foremost, to understand the gravity of the matter, you have to understand Coach Jones and what he’s done for his players.

After twenty-three years of coaching the boy’s varsity soccer team, Coach Jones has built up a well-known program and reputation.

Perhaps more important than his astounding soccer accomplishments, Coach Jones successfully turns his teams into families. Coach Jones believes “The community we have at Saint Stephen’s is unique to our school, which directly translates onto the field. When my players are battling out a close game, I know they will end up on top due to their connections with each other.”

As a firm believer in “heart” being what separates us from competition, Coach Jones stresses the feeling of camaraderie and the need to fight for each other.

The sense of unity Jones stresses is one of the most powerful takeaways from each season; his news left numerous players in tears upon hearing he was leaving.  Jones will continue to teach, however, in the middle school.

Coach Jones believes “coaching is teaching, and the connections I’ve made with my players has been an amazing part of my life.”

Talking to the other players and reflecting myself, we are sure to take the valuable lessons learned from Coach Jones about life and soccer and apply them on and off the field. It now falls on us to carry on the legacy Coach Jones worked hard to build.

Why is Coach Jones no longer coaching? After twenty-three years of working with the varsity boys, he feels as if he’s “learned amazing things and has amazing memories, but now is my time.”

Coach Yaneli, who has been with the team as an assistant coach for thirteen years, reflects on his time spent coaching alongside Coach Jones.

In those thirteen years, they’ve captured ten district championships and have gone to the state final four a total of four times. Coach Yanelli “marvel[s] at Coach Jones’s tireless work ethic and ability to impact and support his players on and off the field.” Throughout Coach Yanelli’s time with the team, he’s “made unforgettable memories” that he wouldn’t trade for anything.

A note from the team:

Coach Jones: We cherish the amazing memories we’ve had with you. From the team, we couldn’t have asked for a better role model to be out there with us every day, pushing us to new heights. We will miss your terrible jokes, amazing personality, and professional coaching. Thank you for everything, it’s been amazing playing for you. Go Falcons!