Duty calls.
Citing the need to spend more time in the classroom and a desire to spend more time with family, Steve Stith is resigning as the longtime boys' varsity soccer coach at Mooresville High.
"I'm stepping back," said Stith, who has led the Blue Devils for nearly two decades in two stints. "I'm comfortable with this decision. I love coaching soccer, and I wish the program and all the players all the success in the world. It's just time for me to step away, for a while anyway."
For Stith, the decision was a long time in the making.
The Davidson College graduate had been pondering the idea of cutting back on his duties as both the boys' and girls' soccer coach for the past three years. With added teaching responsibilities, he decided now was the time at least cut those soccer ties in half.
He said he will continue to coach the girls' team in the spring.
"I've assumed more roles on the academic side, and I love being in the classroom," he said. "This will give me more time to spend on teaching and also free up some of my summer to spend with my family."
Stith has been named chairman of the Social Studies department at MHS.
"In order to do it right, I have to be able to put forth the time that is needed," he said. "Coaching boys soccer in the fall takes away a lot of my free time because the season goes from late July all the way into early November. This way, I will be able to devote more time to what I enjoy doing the most."
Stith roamed the boys' sidelines for nearly two decades. He became Mooresville's soccer coach in 1987, staying for 10 years and guiding the 1989 and 1991 teams to state 2A class championships.
"The players on those two state title teams were tough,'' recalled Stith, who also coached state runner-up teams in 1988 (2A) and 2005 (3A).
"For the most part, the players have been great. That shows because our annual alumni game keeps on getting better, with more of our former players coming back to play."
Stith left teaching in 1997 but returned in 2001 when he resumed as soccer coach.
During his total of 18 years at the Devils' helm, Stith compiled a 298-101-27 record, bagging the two state titles, the two runners-up, and winning 13 conference championships.
"I'm pleased with the job I've done,'' noted Stith, 10 times cited as a conference coach of the year and also a previous state 3A class coach of the year. "I've coached teams in the 2A, 3A and now in the 4A classes, and we've had some success."
Departing the sidelines along with Stith is his sister and longtime assistant coach Sarah Deaton. She was recently named the state's 4A assistant coach of the year. Mike Henry, another assistant for the past few years, also will not return.
"I'll do all I can to assist in helping find a replacement,'' offered Stith. "The schedule is complete, and it will be a good one. I wish the players and the program all the success in the world. Like any other coach that leaves, I can't help but feel like I'm letting some of the returning players down. At the same time, I feel like I'm leaving the program in good condition. I wish the best for Mooresville."
Barclay Marsh, Mooresville's athletic director, said the wheels are already turning in an attempt to find a new coach.
"It goes without saying that we've been very pleased with the job that Steve has done over the years," Marsh said. "We're already making some contacts and actively trying to find a new boys soccer coach. Steve has left the program in good hands."
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