FCA is honored to announce Wheaton College Head Men’s
Soccer Coach, Steve McCrath, as the recipient of the 2025
Layton Shoemaker Award. The award is named after famed
Messiah University soccer coach Layton Shoemaker, and recognizes a soccer
coach who honors God on and off the field and models a strong relationship with
Christ to their players.
“Steve exemplifies
what a Christ-centered coach should look like. His personal faith walk is
exemplary, his devotion to his bride and family is inspirational to his staff
and athletes, and he coaches and leads with grace and truth,” said FCA Orange
County Multi-Area Director, Ali Malaekeh.
“I met Steve over 25
years ago when I was not a follower of Jesus, and I knew there was something
different about him then. We reconnected after I experienced God's grace, and
he has been a role model in his personal faith walk and in his marriage. I remember
working a camp with him in Washington and he was up early, on a call with
someone doing a Bible study, modeling discipleship,” Malaekeh said.
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Steve McCrath began his tenure as the head men’s soccer coach at Barry in
Miami Shores, Florida in 1998. He compiled a 241-135-39 (62.8%) record in 23
seasons with the Buccaneers. His teams made nine NCAA Division II Tournament
appearances, including the 2018 season that ended with a Division II National
Championship and a 2000 National Runner-Up finish. McCrath
coached 25 Division II All-Americans in his tenure at Barry. At Wheaton, in his
third year, they just clinched the regular CCIW regular season title.
Through demonstrating a commitment to the
biblical principles of coaching, Steve treats each of his
athletes as an individual, getting to know them to see how he can inspire them
to be the best version of themselves so the team can be the best version of
itself. He has always been a student of the game, sharing his love for the sport
with those on his team. Steve is flexible with his coaching
style, adapting to the changes in the game and always inspiring his teams to
compete to the best of their ability.
“Steve’s coaching style is best
described as a shepherd, going before them to prepare the way, while skillfully
using the rod and staff, to guide their direction. He masterfully connects
kingdom principles and values to his teaching and coaching that best develops
his staff and the players, both on and off the field. It is evident that Steve
cares deeply for all those surrounding his program by his intentional
shepherding of others. He has conveyed and expressed his deep appreciation and
responsibility to create disciples, using the game he so passionately enjoys,”
said Ken Lolla, former head coach for the University of Louisville men’s
soccer.
Steve has been involved with FCA for many years
and has been a source of wisdom to all who have worked with him in the
ministry.
Mason Escalante, men’s soccer student-athlete at
Wheaton College said, “Both on and off the field, Coach McCrath
is a trusted advisor and mentor to his players in every walk of life. He has
helped mold me, and many others within our program, into men of Christian faith
and character. Further, he has introduced secondary literature like James
Kerr’s Legacy and Ali Malaekeh’s Veritas to identify Christian character traits
that we can apply to soccer and our own lives. At Wheaton, everything we do has
a purpose. It is thanks to the leadership, investment, and mentorship of Coach
McCrath that this next generation of Wheaton soccer players will
succeed as Christian men, laborers, and husbands for many years to come.
After receiving the
award, Steve McCrath said, “It’s funny that when I was surprised by the award
at the luncheon, I used the word shocked. Even better would have been to say
that I am usually not at a loss for words, but then, and even now I’m still a bit
speechless. The award itself is the type of award that humbles you. Layton was
such an incredibly kind coach who also proved the theory wrong ‘nice guys
finish last.’ So, to be honored in the same manner of being called ‘a nice guy,
who also succeeds’ really choked me up. I’m proud that I’m in the same category
of great coaches who do it well and do it right that could honor God in how we
should be leading people.
“I know we aren’t
perfect and from that platform, it makes me feel like David. He wasn’t perfect,
but was a man after God’s own heart. He did the best he could with what
God gave him. Having worked with FCA back in Santa Barbara years ago gave me my
first taste of the joy and love for athletes and sharing the power and love of
Jesus. When I look at David and FCA, I see transformational leadership. To me,
my job, no matter where I’ve been coaching has always been transformational.
It’s harder, but so much more rewarding. I’m grateful for the commitment of FCA
to support the Layton Shoemaker lunch and the impact that it can have on
countless coaches in the soccer community.”
-FCA-
Photos courtesy of Michael Hudson Photography/Wheaton Athletics