Former Terry Sanford High School star athlete Kirstie King recently picked up her diploma from Raleigh’s Meredith College. But she won’t be leaving school to find a job. She’s already landed one at her alma mater. Meredith recently named King as its new assistant women’s soccer coach.
King played both basketball and soccer during her years at Meredith. When she initially enrolled there, a future in coaching wasn’t in her plans.
Originally, she planned to become a nurse with an interest in nutrition. But she changed to a major in exercise sports science with a possible interest in teaching.
She served as captain of the soccer team her final two years at Meredith, and she enjoyed her role working with the younger players on the team.
“I really took over the role of leading and teaching, trying to help develop the younger players on and off the field,’’ she said.
That continued this past spring as she helped as a volunteer coach with the soccer program. Jen Grubb, who became the head coach of Meredith soccer in January this year, suggested King apply for the assistant coaching position.
King thinks her personal experience as a student- athlete at Meredith will put her in a unique position to be able to promote the program to potential recruits.
Her job began June 15. Right now, she’s helping get things organized for the upcoming season. She won’t hit the recruiting trail for the first time until later this year.
She’s excited about the chance to come back to Fayetteville and Cumberland County and try and get players from here to play for Meredith.
“I’m super excited,’’ she said. “Coming from Fayetteville, I can reach out to the coaches I’ve had, watch the girls and show them the opportunity I’ve had here.’’
Photo: Kirstie King