SOUTH KENT, Conn. — Chris Downs is a regular dude. A former semi-pro soccer player, he has coached and been involved in soccer in the northeast for the last 30 years. Known in the boarding and prep-school circuits, he coached the Hotchkiss School and more recently South Kent School. He has amassed a large haul of trophies over his career.

The Hotchkiss School is a small boarding school in Lakeville, Connecticut. Known for its academics and facilities the school attracts mainly intellectuals to its gates. But, thanks to Chris Downs, the school began to attract talented soccer players from around the world.

Starting in the 1990’s, Downs, went to faraway places to recruit student-athletes to the school he was coaching at. This included Jamaica and Ghana, where he set up scouting networks. Players were recruited based on ability, but also character and academic standards.

If one were to ask him, he would say he never picked the best players on recruiting trips. He picked the players that he thought would strive in the small-knit community of Hotchkiss. This led to numerous semi-pro and pro players coming out of the school during the last 30 years.

High school soccer doesn’t get the press that sports like football, basketball and hockey get nationally. But when players become successful and play at senior levels, people start to notice. What’s the payoff for high school soccer coaches?

Developing student-athletes during their formative years is a definite benefit of coaching at the high school level. College athletes are less impressionable and more involved with extra curriculars than those in a closed environment like a boarding school. This is where Downs thrived.

Known for his laidback style, players learned to appreciate his theatrics when the game was on the line. More so, he let players be themselves on the field, which has always been the mark of a good coach. Winning multiple New England Championships, perfect seasons, and All-American nominations for his players has allowed Downs to hone his craft.

His students and athletes remember him well, for the lasting impression he left upon them. The ability to motivate players through nuanced methods is an art within itself: One that Downs knows well.

With players like Jack Harrison from Manchester City playing against Downs’ teams, in a league where Hotchkiss regularly won it all, Downs’ legacy will live on through his former players.

Currently acting as an education consultant to athletes, schools, and students alike, all his players will agree that if you ever questioned him, his response would simply be, “Really?”

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