News

Christopher Doesn’t Look Back In His Drive To Become A Coach

(Released 5/27/10)

JAMESTOWN - Seth Christopher finally found a home to call his own when he moved to Greensboro five years ago to help care for his aging grandmother.

He had lived hither and yon since he was 10-years-old when his mother died, he said.

Christopher, now 24, graduated from Gretna High School in Gretna, Va., while living with friends in Gretna, he said. He had lived in several places before he turned 16, and was "emancipated," he said. His main interests were playing football and baseball, and "hanging out" with his friends.

"I kind of fell in with the wrong crowd, with the wrong people," he said. He developed some bad habits and his personal issues led to a brush with the law, he said. He was 19 when he moved to Greensboro to live with his grandmother, Mary Christopher. He still hadn't settled some personal "issues" when he returned to the city of his birth. "I didn't know what I wanted to do. I went to GTCC for about three months and then dropped out," he said.

Gradually, he settled down as he took on the responsibility of helping his aging grandmother. The "help" ended up becoming a two-way street, he said. "My grandmother became a great influence on me."

He enrolled at GTCC at age 22, bent on getting an Associate's Degree in General Studies. He received that degree May 13, and was honored as the "outstanding college transfer graduate" with a 3.65 grade point average. He has been accepted by UNC-Chapel Hill where he will seek a four-year degree. "I also want to get my master's degree, and find a job doing what I really want to do - coaching football," Christopher said.

The Gretna High lineman of the year on the 2003 state championship team got back on his educational track at a school that doesn't have a football team. "I did what I thought was best at the time," he said. There wouldn't have been time for football practices in his busy schedule, Christopher said.

He also had been first team all-district, all-region and all-metro, district lineman of the year and gained honorable mention for all-state honors. "I volunteered after graduation and was an assistant coach on the 2004 state championship team," he said.

After enrolling at GTCC, he was up at 4 a.m. on most mornings in order to meet occupational responsibilities as a personal trainer before going to college classes. Christopher's typical day lasted until midnight. Not only did he spend quality time studying, he also participated in the History Club, College Transfer Club and as a Student Government Association Community Service Representative.

He worked at The Rush as a personal trainer, and also volunteers as a conditioning coach for Carolina Dynamo Soccer.

"The last two years seemed like a blur because I was so busy," he said. "But I'm happy now. Everybody has stories and issues but you've got to surround yourself with the right people," Christopher said.

Besides his grandmother, several teachers at GTCC and his girlfriend, Elizabeth Lane of Greensboro, have helped him become a successful student despite his torridschedule. "It gives me a sense of pride knowing where I have come from to be where I am now.

"It's not about the starting point or what happened in-between, it's accomplishing your goal," Christopher said. "I had to learn something from my 'losses.' I had to learn to be responsible on my own," he said.

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