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. 

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