We are a group of current and former players in the Virginia Tech Women’s Soccer Program. But we are so much more than that. We are teachers, doctors, nurses, professional athletes, mothers, engineers, lawyers, business leaders, scientists and much more. And we stand with our coach, Charles ‘Chugger’ Adair, against what we believe are unfounded allegations being made against him. We have spent countless hours training, traveling and playing under his leadership and are devastated and appalled that his character and integrity are being seriously questioned.
As current and former players, we know that women’s college soccer is both physically and mentally demanding and exceptionally competitive. In this regard, we all believe that his conduct, both past and present, has consistently been of the highest professional standard. We believe Coach Adair has put the team in situations to the best of his ability and will continue to play at the highest level.
Finally, we understand that a lawsuit can be resolved on a variety of different grounds, none of which must be related to guilt or innocence. We firmly believe that these claims are nothing more than a distorted presentation of the facts.
Today we join forces to affirm that Coach Adair’s leadership has made each of us better players, teammates and people. We stand by Coach Adair and Virginia Tech, and what we believe is the truth. And we look forward to a bright future for the Virginia Tech Women’s Soccer Program under his leadership.
Signed by: Alia Abu El Hawa ’19, Alia Skinner, Alice Hamel ’20, Allie George, Amanda Hulme ’12, Anne Silverstein ’13, Ashley Brascetta ’14, Ashley Leonetti ’09, Ashley Muhar ’16, Ashley Rand ’09 , Ava Veith, Averi Visage, Bella Pontieri, Blair Nelson ’04, Blayne Fink ’17, Bridget Patch ’20, Brittany Michels ’12, Candace Cephers ’17, Caroline Cipolla ’20, Courtney Anderson, Delia Besler ’16, Ella Ciardullo , Ella Valante, Emily Gray ’21, Emma Pelowski, Emma Stanley, Emma Steigerwald ’22, Emmalee McCarter ’22, Erin Moore Williams ’08, Gabby Johnson, Gina Om Guckian ’08, Heather Donohue ’08, Heather Timothy ’19, Jaylyn Thompson ’20, Jazmine Bell ’14, Jen Boyles ’18, Jennifer Harvey ’11, Jessica Parker ’04, Jodie Anthony ’15, Jordan Hemmen ’20, Julia Goldsworthy ’13, Kallie Peurifoy ’17, Kari Johnston ’18, Katie Deneault ’12, Katie DeTuro ’14, Katie Kooiman ’12, Katie Yensen ’15, Kelly Conheeney ’13, Kelly Lynch ’11, Kelsey Irwin ’19, Kelsey Mitchell ’13, Kendall DiMillio, Kendall Feighan, Kylie Hambelton ’10, Laila Gray ’18, Lauren Gogal, Lauren Hargrove, Mandy Haught ’19, Marie Johnston ’17, Maysen Nelson, Megan Strawther ’10, Mikayla Mance ’19, Molly Feighan ’21, Murielle Tiernan ’17 , Natalie Mitchell, Nicole Kozlova ’21, Rachel Sippel ’08, Ruby Darling, Sarah Allston Phillips ’22, Shannon Gresh ’15, Sophie Maltese, Stephanie Boyd ’10, Taylor Price, Tori Powell, Victoria Moser, Zoe Foxhall ’19