Pallotti High girls varsity soccer coach Mike Vawter has resigned, school president/principal Stephen Edmonds confirmed Dec. 11.
    Vawter was the head coach for four seasons and led the Panthers to the league title in the A division of the IAAM in 2007.
Among the current college players he coached at Pallotti were Annesia Faulkner (a sophomore at Maryland) and his daughter, Ellie Vawter, a sophomore this past season at Mount St. Mary’s.
“Mr. Vawter has made a tremendous contribution to the girls soccer program,” Edmonds said. “His job situation has changed (at NSA) so he doesn’t have the time to devote to the program that he had. He has to put his job and family first. We respect that.”
Said Vawter: “It was a very good four years.” He added his decision to step down was partly due to the soccer schedule of his daughter, though Vawter was able to see some of her games this past season.
Edmonds noted that Vawter’s wife, Nancy, is a full-time employee at the school. “It was a great combination. It was a good fit,” Edmonds said. “We are hoping that a successful program that he created will attract other successful coaches” as candidates for the job.
Edmonds said that Pallotti athletic director Steve Walker has already spoken with at least one candidate to fill the position and the school plans to expand its advertisement of the post.
Greg Elman, whose daughter Tori was a junior on the team in 2008, was an assistant under Vawter. “He wants to stay in touch with the program,” said Vawter, who added Elman’s job situation may make it tough for him to take on the head job.
Seniors on the 2008 team at Pallotti included tri-captains Jazzmine Chandler, Hannah Hardman and Becky Naylor. Hardman said Dec. 9 she is looking to play soccer in college at the Division III level. Chandler has received Division I offers, Vawter said.
Former Pallotti player Randall Marshall, a 2007 graduate who was an assistant coach this past season, will play next year at Delaware State, Vawter said.

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