Editor’s Note — As part of our countdown to 2025, WYDaily is revisiting its most-read and favorite stories of the year. Reporter Megan Roche said she chose this story because while she loves football and rivalries, more than anything, what she loves about the game is the impact that it can have on people’s lives. She added that talking with Coach DeLoatch about his football program, which helps give players a second chance to play collegiately, shows the true power of what’s possible when a person believes in you.
WILLIAMSBURG — Following on the success of programs in North Carolina and Norfolk, Will DeLoatch is launching the Bay River Tribe College Football Prep program in Williamsburg.
Bay River Tribe offers young men over the age of 18 a chance to redirect their academic and football dreams. DeLoatch’s program is aimed for those who have hopes of playing collegiate football, but simply don’t have the grades to appeal to top-level programs across the nation.
“We welcome all young men in need of this second chance and we are offering our help every step of the way. Sometimes these kids just need a ‘job,’ and I’m not speaking of employment, I mean a J.O.B. — Just One Break — and life could completely change for the better for each of them,” DeLoatch explains.
DeLoatch launched the program as a way to give back to the community that provided him opportunities.
“Coming out of high school, I was a really good athlete, but I just didn’t have the grades to go right on to school. Luckily, I got blessed and was able to go to private school. When I attended private school, that’s when my grades changed. It was that second chance that really helped me out,” DeLoatch said.
Throughout the program, DeLoatch and his coaching staff are beside the players each step of the way. The coaches often help with college applications, the college recruiting process, highlight video filming, financial aid paperwork, and more.
“We really are just trying to redirect our players and get them back on the right track. These kids don’t focus on life until life hits them. They didn’t realize how serious grades would be until they walked across the stage and got their diploma and didn’t know what was next,” DeLoatch said.
The program is completely free for players, but they must enroll in a community college to take part.
When the program was based in Norfolk, DeLoatch and his coaching staff were able to put 17 kids back in school, where 11 received full scholarships.
The team will compete in The Atlantic Coast Football Alliance and play against other amateur teams from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C.
Bay River Tribe will also have a cheerleading team on the sidelines. Lakeisha Cartwright, who cheered as a member of the Elizabeth City State University team, is the Bay Rivers Tribe Cheerleading head coach.
“Cheerleading is pretty much a passion to me and brings me joy. When I cheer I get into this zone where I don’t think about anything else but me cheering. Coach DeLoatch knew how passionate I was about cheer and how I would do anything to get back into it even if that meant coaching a team,” Cartwright said.
Coach DeLoatch hopes to one day add a practice facility with computers, where students can complete academic work prior to the start of practice.
“We could easily just start a football program with buying some helmets and shoulder pads, but this program is bigger than that. This is much greater than just football,” DeLoatch said.
The team will play its inaugural game on July 28. More information on the team schedule will be coming soon. To inquire about joining the program, Coach DeLoatch can be contacted at 252-254-6366.