CCHS grad still kicking

Glen Gray’s college career ended last year, but his passion for soccer didn’t. That’s why it was so exciting for the Culpeper County High School and University of Mary Washington graduate when he was signed to the Richmond Kickers Premier Development League team last month.

“It’s such a good opportunity to stay in the game and play at a good level,” Gray said. “I want to play as long as I can and at 23 I hope I still have a lot of years left in me.”

The Kickers Future team, as it is known, is associated with the Richmond Kickers pro team, which plays in the United Soccer League. The Future team plays in the PDL, a primary feeder into the pro ranks. Gray played with other PDL teams in Fredericksburg and Northern Virginia during his time at Mary Washington and then was recruited to the Kickers this fall while serving as a graduate assistant coach at Virginia Commonwealth.

So far the Kickers Future team has struggled through its first eight games of the season, but Gray has started all six as a center back or outside back defender since he joined the club on May 22.

“We got a lot of young Division I players,” Gray, who is the only Mary Washington player ever to reach the PDL, said. “They are good players, but they are young and they are going to get better. Overall we’re playing well, but not getting results, but we’ll get there.”

For Gray, playing in the PDL gives him an opportunity to evaluate where he wants to go in the future. He’s had pro tryouts in the past with the Kickers and the Wilmington (N.C.) Hammerheads and would like another shot at the professional ranks. He’s about to earn a masters degree in sports management from VCU and continuing his coaching career is another option.

“I’m open to a lot,” Gray said. “I’ve had a couple of tryouts with pro teams and would certainly enjoy the opportunity to coach at the college level.”

But for now, he’s just enjoying his time with the Kickers, who are 1-1-1 in their past three games and play the Northern Virginia Royals Saturday in Richmond. The team travels on a luxurious sleeper bus and has given the 2003 CCHS grad an opportunity to play in a variety of stadium up and down the East Coast.

“We’re treated like a full professional team,” Gray said. “It’s kind of like a free ticket for me. It’s a huge rush playing in all these places, sometimes under the lights and in front of big crowds.”

Shane Mettlen can be reached at 825-0771, ext. 127 or .