ESCC names new Soccer Teams’ coach and name

Eastern Shore Community College (ESCC) has announced the hiring of Chase Baxa as the head coach for the college’s newly established soccer program. Baxa, an experienced coach and educator,  officially began his role on February 3 and will immediately launch recruitment efforts for both the men’s and women’s teams.

The recruitment process will focus on current ESCC students as well as high school seniors from across the Eastern Shore. The college has expressed excitement about the widespread enthusiasm for the program and the opportunities it will create for local athletes.

Following a public naming campaign in the fall, students at ESCC cast their final votes in January, selecting “ESCC-FC” (Eastern Shore Community College Football Club) as the official name of the program. The name pays homage to globally recognized soccer clubs, aligning ESCC with the sport’s widespread appeal. The college has confirmed that logos and branding for ESCC-FC will be unveiled in the near future.

To support the launch of the program, ESCC developed a budget based on the experiences of other Virginia community colleges with athletic teams. The plan was presented to the Accomack and Northampton County Boards of Supervisors, both of which, along with the ESCC Foundation, provided funding to make the program a reality.

Originally from Western Pennsylvania, Coach Chase Baxa moved to the Eastern Shore in 2021. A graduate of Geneva College, Baxa played four years of Division III soccer and has since built an impressive coaching career. Currently, he teaches science at Northampton High School and serves as the head coach of the school’s boys’ soccer team. Under his leadership, the program has amassed a 43-14 record, including a state championship title and a runner-up finish.

In addition to his high school coaching experience, Baxa directs Shore FC, a competitive travel soccer program aimed at developing high-level players. He brings a deep passion for both soccer and science, having taught courses such as Environmental Science, Earth Science, Ecology, Anatomy, Marine Biology, and Physics.

“My goal for the men’s and women’s Eastern Shore Community College soccer teams is simple: to showcase the talented and devoted student-athletes from the Eastern Shore and create a team that the entire community will be proud of,” said Baxa.

In the coming months, ESCC will host several soccer opportunities for students interested in the program:

• March – An intramural league and weekend pick-up games will begin.
• April – The first ESCC Soccer ID Camp will be held, allowing students to showcase their skills.
• Fall Semester – Open tryouts will take place to finalize the roster before the season.

More details and updates will be available on the ESCC website (es.vccs.edu) and the college’s social media channels. Those interested in learning more can reach Coach Chase Baxa directly at [email protected].