Published: August 20, 2008 11:22 pm         

Concord men’s soccer coach: ‘We’re literally starting from scratch’

ATHENS — Men’s soccer lives again at Concord University.

Five years after the program was dismantled because of budget cuts, coach Steve Barrett has finished a week of preseason practice with a new crew.

“We’re literally starting from scratch,” Barrett said. “On Jan. 7, we didn’t have a player. ... We’re at 24 right now. That’s a good pool.

“But it doesn’t stop there, obviously. Now we’ve got a season to play. We want to win every game we play. There’s a challenge there.

“The challenge is then to recruit for next year. It’s always a challenge. ... I’ve looked at it all along as a challenge for me, taking this position.”

Barrett, who coached both the men and women’s program when he came to Concord eight years ago, stayed with the women’s program and brought it to the brink of conference championships until the opportunity arose last winter to bring the men’s team back. He took the assignment.

“Really, with being so late, we had to go through hiring a recruiting agency,” he said. “They gave me a bunch of names, and we were able to pick up about eight players from that.

“Some players, as far as recruiting, drop in your lap,” he said. E-mail contacts started the process that brought brothers Joe and Franklin Parks and twin brothers Varney and Richard Vincent to Athens.

“It’s just fallen into place. I think they sense the opportunity for them to play in a new program. We’ve got to put 11 players on the field for the first game.”

Asked about the team’s readiness for the start of the regular season Aug. 28 at Ohio Valley, he said, “As a coach, you always want to have a team that’s going to win every game. But in the context of the eight months that we’ve had, I’m very satisfied with the squad that we’ve got.

“They’ve done a tremendous job in the first week of preseason. They’ve improved, come together as a team, so it’s encouraging. We haven’t arrived; we’ve got some work to do.”

His players come from all over the map.

Joseph Parks has traveled to the Appalachians from Tucson, Ariz., where he played soccer at a successful community college program. “I love it here. I think it’s a great place,” he said.

His initial goal was centered on his younger brother Franklin, “to try to get him into college,” Joey Parks said. “If the opportunity should arise, I’d go along with him.”

He said at the level Concord’s program is now, “we would compete in our conference in Arizona. I think the level is right around the same.”

Chris Harker is a huge goalkeeper who completed his four years of football eligibility last fall, playing on the offensive line. “I played soccer for 12 years (and) I kind of missed it,” he said. The creation of the soccer team gave him a chance to renew his interest.

“You get a lot of pride from making good saves, and I like coming out on balls, high crosses and stuff, high balls in the box. I like to take away the opportunity from other people to score. I don’t mind hitting people.”

Ryan Grimmett played last at Rainelle Christian Academy. “I had the opportunity to be a part of a new program and I just love playing the game,” he said.

Varney Vincent grew up in Liberia and played soccer at Giles High School in Virginia and in Charlotte, N.C., before enrolling at Concord. “So far, so good,” he said. “The team is friendly. ... Coach has been so far like a parent to me.”

Matt Parker of Richmond, Va., tried out for the team in 2003, the spring that the program was discontinued. He started for Averett University in Danville, Va., but was unhappy with the environment.

“When I found out they had the team back here, I was all for it. ... I’m looking at it now (as if) I’ve got a second chance,” he said.