By Camden Crook, Staff Writer
It’s a crisp Friday night in October. The crowd clusters together under the stadium lights to watch one of the community’s most accomplished teams take the field. As “The Star-Spangled Banner” fades, First Flight’s men’s soccer players form their huddle. One man is at the center. His unique hair and Hispanic accent catch your attention as he leads the cheer: “Uno, dos, tres, Nighthawks!”
Coach Juan Ramirez has become the face of both the men’s and women’s soccer programs at FFHS. He is recognized on the field and in the classroom, being a full-time math teacher during the day and soccer coach at night. He is a mentor to students and athletes alike. His career has enabled him to watch countless players come and go through the program. According to Ramirez, the most rewarding part of his job is seeing the players grow, both on and off the field.
“It’s amazing to get to know the players when they’re young and develop relationships. Some of the boys I’ve coached I still keep up with today,” Ramirez said.
His players’ current lives are not the only thing Ramirez keeps up with.
“246 wins, 29 losses, 15 ties, 1,233 goals for, 188 against, 156 shutouts.”
These are just a few of the stats Ramirez has recorded over his 14-year coaching career at First Flight. Since 2006, Ramirez has documented every statistic, both good and bad. He recognizes the importance of confronting and learning from one’s mistakes. This dedication to his craft has led the men’s soccer team to 13 conference championships, seven regional appearances and four state championship games.
This success has not come without sacrifice, though. Ramirez emigrated from Colombia to the U.S. at just 17 years old to better his English and play college soccer.
Ramirez’s childhood in the Andes Mountains in Ibagué, Colombia, was like his personality: colorful and lively. He grew up on a ranch with a fruitful garden containing two different types of guavas, four different types of mangoes, plus oranges, papayas and coconut trees.
The coconut trees hold a special place in Ramirez’s memory: Ramirez almost suffered a substantial injury because of them.
“I used to climb the coconut trees. That’s how I almost lost a finger because we peel them with a machete. Just picture me with a machete, cutting the coconut,” Ramirez said with a chuckle. “My friend almost cut my finger off when I was 10 or 11.”
Ramirez remembers his childhood fondly but appreciates the difficult decision he made to leave home in search of greater opportunities. At just 16, he was eligible to graduate high school. However, he chose to remain in Colombia for another year and graduate with his peers.
After high school, Ramirez traveled the 2,155 miles to Charlotte, where he lived at an ESL institute. During his time there, he participated in recreational soccer games. His performance caught the attention of a scout from Atlantic Christian College — now Barton College — in Wilson. During his time at Atlantic Christian, Ramirez played college soccer while earning his degree. He majored in mathematics and minored in accounting and chemistry.
Ramirez’s coaching career did not begin until his daughters started playing. Their interest led him to take the first step in becoming the accomplished soccer coach he is today.
Still, for all the championships and sky-high expectations every year, Ramirez’s goal for this season is no different than any other.
“Mostly I want them to have fun,” he said. “Of course there are other goals for the season, but none of them matter if the boys aren’t having fun and enjoying the game.”
Senior Camden Crook can be reached at [email protected].
