Hey Newt, I’m sure you know that you left a lot of devastated kids the other night. We were all in shock and highly upset. We hope that our underachievement this year did not contribute to your decision. And you have put the passion into all of us since we were young. You gave us the drive to make soccer our number one priority, and we all have harnessed it and based our lives around it. You’ve changed the lives of all of us Newt, I can speak for every single player that has stepped on the field for you. Without your guidance, I don’t know how I can cope with myself. I still need development to reach that next level, we all do. And we want you to be there for us because you are the most knowledgeable soccer mind we’ve ever known. Due to your efforts, I am ready to step up and lead this team to the next level. All of the upperclassman are prepared to join me, and the underclassmen are ready to follow. We only want to finish what we started under you. You put us where we are now, you are ingrained in all of our lives, and we are all so depressed thinking about not having you. I don’t know if you have put into perspective how much you mean to us, but you have been like a father to us all. Honestly, I would put you over my own dad any day. You are leaving about twenty sons, and we hate to see you leave now. I will have much difficulty putting on a Chief uniform without you, and I am not alone. I need you, the team needs you. I know it may seem selfish, but we want you back next year, we can’t even to begin to imagine any different. You’ve towered over the sideline with us personally for over twelve years, and we have to reach the finishline with you Newt. You’ve watched us grow and change, and we’ve watched you do the same. The memories accumulated over the years are too much to name, and I just wish there was room left for a few more memories. We guarantee that they would be ones you would never forget. You have single-handedly created to the soccer boom in the North Myrtle Beach area, inspiring the hearts of many people. Your job was a year round affair: from training and coaching the high school team in the winter and spring, to Lundy camps and your own camps in the summer, to running rec ball in the fall, and coaching numerous club teams all year round. Nearly a quarter of a century of hard work has paid off brilliantly, and the city will view you as a legend to this area and to South Carolina soccer. I am so happy for you that you can now spend time with your family. You have a great, devoted wife that shares the same drive in life as you do, talented kids, and a little grandson that all love you. You can now devote your full attention to them, and do the things you missed out on with the obligations you had. You are taking a piece of all of us on the team with your exit, and it will be hard to let go and move on. But, as you are so greatly showing us, life does go on, and we will yet again follow your wisdom. I am so honored to know you, to have played for you, and most importantly, to be your friend. I love you Newt. Thanks for it all.
-Ben Clyburn
Coach Newt! I don’t even know where to start. You’ve been there for me and everyone else on the team since we were little kids and now that we’re almost gone you have to leave us. I really appreciate all that you have done but I don’t think it is time for you to go yet. We still have a few more years left with some great kids that love you. If you leave Newt that means Jason might too and I don’t know what I will do if you both are gone. I was expecting to have both of y’all there for us until I graduated and now I see I can’t have that. You’ve taught me everything I know and I still have a lot to learn from you and Jason. I just can’t take it coach. The whole team is sadder than any team will ever be for losing a coach. I just wish you would take a few more years and stay with us. Playing without you as our coach just isn’t going to be right. Losing you is like losing a part of our family that we have, it’s just not whole anymore. I don’t think you realize how much you are going to be missed by all of our players. Thank you for everything.
-Kyle Smith
Newt, thanks for all the time you’ve put into making us better players. You’ve taught us so much about soccer and life. You will be greatly missed by all of us. Thanks again for all you have done.
-Zack Crowl
Best of luck Newt we will miss you greatly. Thanks so much for everything.
-Ryan Hall
Newt we are going to miss you so much and we would love it if you came back. But thanks for all the great times.
-Charles Hamilton
Newt I know you went through some hard times with me on the soccer field but I do think that you made me a better player. I know that you had to love picking on me all the time about everything that I did. I guess that meant that you had to like me just a little bit. I wish you were going to coach next year because it is my last year, but I understand why you are leaving. I just wanted to let you know how I felt and that the whole team will miss you next year.
-Bryce Kennedy
Newt I can’t believe it’s really come to an end. You’ve been by my side ever since I started playing soccer. I can’t even put into words how thankful I am because without you, I would have never made it this far. You were always there when I needed you, whether it was soccer or something else. I hope to see you at some of my soccer games in the near future. Thank you for being my inspiration. You will be missed greatly.
-Tiffany Kinner
Newt, we will really miss you! Thanks for everything you did for the soccer program at NMBHS. I hope you kept your purple and yellow flowers I gave you on the daily! Thanks again, we’re best buds for life. Love you tons! You will be truly missed and your efforts will never be forgotten.
-Lauren Livingston
