UHS head soccer coach Evert Crews led the girls Spartans to a school-record 12 wins last season. Photo provided
Evert Crews, a Union High School graduate and current head coach of the boys' and girls' soccer programs, has been named the Spartans' 2023-24 Girls Soccer Coach of the Year.
In a recent interview, Crews reflected on his roots and his journey to becoming a successful coach. A Union High School graduate, Crews spoke deeply about his time spent there in relation to his current position. “As a Union High School graduate, it's bittersweet. It's very sentimental because there's a personal connection to it,” he said.
Cruz said his decision to return to Union High School was driven by a desire to lead by example and give back to the community. He has a strong commitment to the young people at Union High School, as evidenced by his strict coaching style. He emphasized the various aspects of coaching, saying that they must put in all their effort, from preparation, practice and even maintaining the field.
Crews’ coaching journey at Union began eight years ago when he noticed the girls soccer team was struggling while he was still coaching at Lakewood.
He then moved to teach Spanish at Union High School and had the opportunity to coach the boys and girls soccer teams. Since then, he has transformed the program, set high expectations and consistently met them. “Union High School has a very supportive staff that treats me well. It's very gratifying to be treated with respect in the workplace and feel that they really want me there,” Cruz said.
As he looks forward to the upcoming season, Cruz is focused on keeping his team healthy and rebuilding following the departure of some senior players. He prides himself on fostering a team spirit where all players are expected to work hard, regardless of position or gender.
“There is no one player who is better than the other. Everyone on the team has to work hard. The attackers have to work just as hard as the defenders and the goalkeeper has to be just as strong as the midfielders,” he said. His philosophy is simple but powerful: all players are athletes who must meet the same high standards.
Crews attributes his success in large part to the support of the booster club, athletic director and parents who entrusted their children to him. The most memorable moment was when Union faced Pender High School in the 2023 playoffs, marking its first-ever playoff victory. This year, the team won a record-breaking 12 games, the most in Union High School girls soccer history.
For aspiring high school coaches, Cruz has this advice: “It takes years to build a program. You have to ask questions of your coaches and players, be patient and committed.”
He also expressed his deep gratitude to his wife, Kaitlyn, for her sacrifices and support while working long hours and traveling far away for games. Additionally, he thanked the coaches who voted him Coach of the Year and commended captains Adrienne Barber and Kaitlyn Chestnut, outstanding leaders this year and last year, for their immeasurable contributions to the team's success.
