Beach FC names Mark Waite Boys Director of Coaching

Beach FC has named Mark Waite as the Boys Director of Coaching. The Grimsby, England native spent twelve seasons as the Old Dominion University Men's Assistant coach, was recognized by College Soccer News as one of the top NCAA Division I assistant coaches.

During Waite's tenure at ODU, the Monarchs have never finished under .500, and capturing the 2007 CAA Championship, three CAA regular season titles, six straight NCAA Tournament appearances, three straight NCAA Tournament second round appearances, and two straight round of 16 appearances. During his time there he coached seven All-Americans, four MLS drafted players, three Academic All- Americans, and one Freshman All-American.

Waite also served as assistant men's soccer coach at Virginia Wesleyan College from 1994-96 and then at Bloomsburg University from 1996-98.

Waite played for the Hampton Roads Mariners of the USISL from 1994-96. and in 1996, he joined the Hershey Wildcats of the A-League, where he was named the 1998 A-League All-Star Game MVP.

In 1992, Waite was named a first team All-American and first team Academic All-American at Lock Haven University. He currently stands as the all-time leading scorer in Lock Haven history with 57 goals and holds the single season record of 25 goals. He was also a two-time PSAC Most Valuable Player. Waite graduated from Lock Haven in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in health sciences and holds a masters degree in communications from Bloomsburg University.

Waite established and directed the successful Player Development System (PDS) with AC Norfolk which saw over 300 5-9 year olds develop through his program. He has also worked with and conducted clinics for Old Dominion Soccer Club, Portsmouth SC and Churchland SC.

He is head coach of the ODP Southeast District 1993 Boys, and holds a USSF `B' coaching license. Waite currently lives in Virginia Beach with wife Caroline, and has one son Charlie born in June of 2008.

Waite on his new position:
“I am thrilled to be part of the Beach FC family. I have had ties to Beach FC since I arrived in the Hampton Roads area in 1994 and have seen the development of the club over these years. I look forward to working with the entire Beach FC staff in continuing to move the club forward as we look to give each child and family in the club an affordable and enjoyable soccer experience in order to help them reach their athletic and personal goals.”

Steve Danbusky, Beach FC Executive Director on on the hire:

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Mark head up our boys program. He has proven himself to be a professional in every sense of the word and our players and staff will benefit from his leadership and direction. The addition of somebody with Mark’s pedigree both as a coach and player will continue to take our program to the next level.”