Current Release: September 11th, 2007 | Vol. XXIV Iss. 10

Photo courtesy VWC athletic department

Travis to coach at Emory University

BY jennifer valentine

javalentine@vwc.edu

Members of the athletic department, men s soccer team, staff and administration filled the Pearce Hospitality Suite on Aug. 6 as they said their goodbyes to long-time men s soccer coach Sonny Travis.

 It s a very special afternoon, said David Buckingham, dean of students.  An afternoon of mixed feelings.

Buckingham presented Travis with a plaque that listed awards Travis had earned while at VWC.

 Without getting emotional, said Travis,  I always feel I ll be a Marlin.

Effective in early August, Travis resigned from his position as athletic-director and head men s soccer coach to accept an offer at Emory University to coach men s soccer, according to the Virginia Wesleyan website.

Mingling around trays of fruit and cheese, friends and faculty stood in groups until getting a moment to speak with Travis.

Women s field hockey coach, Joyce Anne Koubaroulis is excited for Travis.

 I think it s an exciting opportunity for Sonny, she said.  He s given a lot to the school and I am happy for him.

Others shared the sentiment.

 We re all very happy for Sonny, said Fran Amasia, women s lacrosse coach.  He s a very supportive person and will be missed by a lot of people.

Travis has been coaching men s soccer at VWC for 18 years. During that time, he feels he has developed as a coach.

 Definitely, I ve grown a lot in 18 years. By that I mean better ways to teach things, he said.  I ve matured a lot in many ways all around.

Replacing Sonny as coach is former VWC student-athlete and Travis first recruit, Mike McFarland.

 I feel like I m in a good situation, a good opportunity being an alumni, he said.  He s [Sonny] been so much more to me than a coach. I ve learned a lot from him on and off the field.

According to Buckingham, McFarland has big shoes to fill, but they are confident in his abilities to do it.

In thanking the VWC soccer fans for their support, Travis asks that they please support McFarland. The upcoming team is a very talented one and he wishes them all the best.