Lucy Stoter
Staff Writer

Leaving his everlasting impact on the R.J. Reynolds Men’s Soccer community, Coach Sabio has announced his retirement from the head coach position of the RJR men’s soccer team. Sabio has impacted every student he has met through soccer, Diverse Inclusive Demons, or his Camel City Soccer camps. 

Sabio has been involved with soccer for a long time with RJR and other organizations. He has dedicated a great deal of time and his life to the sport, helping to change the lives of many young kids. 

“I guess, roughly 25 to 30 years, I have been coaching depending on what I consider the beginning,” Sabio said.

He started his coaching career at the age of 15 and grew from there. Eventually, Sabio found his way to RJR just nine years ago, where he became head coach of the men’s soccer team. Since the beginning, Sabio has been changing kids’ experiences with the game. Previous player Owen Kuhner has noted the importance of Sabio as a coach and the difference he made. 

“Sabio, as a coach, was tough, demanding, and loud, but as a player, you knew he was only there to make you a better player, but more importantly, a better person,” O. Kuhner said. 

Like Owen Kuhner, his younger brother and current member of the team, Alex Kuhner, agrees that Sabio does whatever he can to make the boys strive.

“He has helped me a lot through my leadership values and how to lead a team,” A. Kuhner said. “He has helped me through the losses and the wins, and every practice he makes sure I’m doing alright.”

Although Alex Kuhner has only played for Sabio for a year now, he will miss the memories they have made together as a team and his energy. 

“I will probably miss his laugh and his big giggle the most,” A. Kuhner said. “I’ll just miss his happiness and his smile all over the field.” 

Despite the impact Sabio has had on every one of his players, he has decided to step back from the head coach position. Sabio felt the impact of being a coach on his family and how he is losing time, he can never get back. 

“I am stepping away to spend more time with my family,” Sabio said. “My daughter Sophia is eight and misses me every time I have practice or a game. I don’t want to miss any more milestones in her life. Soccer will still be here in 10 years, but I can’t get the time with her back. I also want to figure out who I am outside of being a soccer coach.”

Even though Sabio has decided that the timing isn’t right to continue his coaching journey at RJR, he truly has touched all his athletes’ lives both on and off the field. Everyone will miss his contributions to the team and program, and his impact will forever be felt among the players.