Morehead State University coach Paul Cox brought a Blair Eagle with him to host last week's annual Blair FC soccer camps at the Youth Sports Complex.
Alongside another former Bear — Allison Hernandez — and current BHS players Isaac Field and Victor Hernandez, Keara Chaffee coached up youth athletes during the Monday through Friday sessions. The 2023 Blair High School graduate spent her first two NCAA Division I soccer seasons with the Omaha Mavericks, but transferred to Cox's Kentucky school before the most recent spring semester.
“I went there just because I wanted to enjoy soccer again and I was familiar with Paul,” Chaffee said June 25 after a day camp session. “I knew his philosophy and I always enjoyed when he coached me.”
Before growing his college coaching career, Cox was the Blair FC Director of Coaching and led teams with both Allison Hernandez — a current Newman University (Kan.) soccer player — and Chafee on the rosters. The coach, an Andover, England, native, mentioned last week how old those memories from several years back make him feel.
Chaffee, meanwhile, said she was enjoying her time back on her hometown fields.
“It just makes me appreciate soccer more and appreciate where I came from,” she said. “Coaching these kids, it just makes me happy that they're having fun playing soccer.”
Her advice to campers is to continue to work on skills like passing and dribbling. Finding ways to work with teammates to build connections is important, too.
The Morehead State Eagle would know. After 26 matches and 524 minutes of match time at UNO, she's well aware how important work ethic, fitness and being a team player is, too.
“College,” Chaffee said. “It's a whole different level.”
