Coaching with Class

Soccer scholarship brings a lifelong learner to the U.S. from a Caribbean Island to eventually become an Associate Professor and Head Soccer Coach at RBC. 

Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Damien Westfield came over to the U.S. on a partial soccer scholarship at Young Harris College in Georgia. He started by playing on a junior college level before making his way up to D1 on a full ride. After coaching soccer at Young Harris College and Truett McConnell University, Dr. Westfield returned to the junior college level as head coach of the men’s soccer team at Richard Bland College. 

Dr. Westfield’s passion for playing and coaching soccer coincides with his love for teaching Communication and Leadership Studies. When Dr. Westfield is off the field, he can be found in the classroom lecturing his students on how to recognize and give verbal and nonverbal feedback. 

Dr. Westfield observes, “Young people don’t always speak up, so it’s very important for me to pay special attention to how my students and athletes communicate through nonverbal feedback.” To teach students how to strengthen their communication skills, Westfield tailors his teaching methods to accommodate whether his students are visual learners or auditory processors. 

“Learning is a continuous and collaborative process that takes place in and outside of the classroom,” reminds Dr. Westfield. His following philosophy creates a space for students where communication can flow both ways: “My class is an exchange of messages between me and my students. I am a lifelong learner and realize that I can learn from my students, they can learn from me, and we can all learn together.” 

Humility has a strong presence in Dr. Westfield’s teaching style, acknowledging that students are people like him who should be respected by their professor in the same manner that they should also have respect for their professor. “I tell my guys, I do not consider myself the greatest soccer coach, but every day that you come to my session, you will be challenged, and there will be opportunities to also challenge me as well,” relates Dr. Westfield. 

Incorporating modern classroom tools like technology helps Dr. Westfield to interact with the current generation. “Good teaching takes place where learning takes place, so as an instructor, I need to adapt to meet my students’ needs.” Our digital age no longer limits communication to in-person interactions. 

Dr. Westfield enjoys learning and creating just as much as teaching, so he will often visit outdoor places like zoos and beaches to observe and learn from animals and nature. In his personal time, Dr. Westfield bakes French and Caribbean bread, the latter of which reminds him of his Caribbean upbringing. 

“Some days, I think I am the greatest chef,” Dr. Westfield brags, “but others, I am just someone messing around in the kitchen.” The takeaway from Dr. Westfield’s experiences should be that there is never a point at which a person is above learning. Coming from an academic with a Ph.D., “there’s always more to learn.” 

“I am a lifelong learner and realize that I can learn from my students, they can learn from me, and we can all learn together.”