That Whalley and Lovett would unite some 3,600 miles away from home on a college campus nestled in Murfreesboro, North Carolina seems almost like destiny.
While he had only viewed him on online videos, Whalley trusted some of his U.K. soccer sources enough to offer Lovett a Chowan scholarship sight unseen.
“We had already had a few British lads on the team, so I thought Harri would be a good fit. We did our homework on him and I knew the club he played for in Wales.”
Whalley had taken a similar route after high school himself, leaving behind his family and friends to attend diminutive Mercyhurst College outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he helped lead his soccer team to the NCAA Final Four in 2002.
“I experienced the same journey that Harri is experiencing,” Whalley said. “We both chose to go halfway across the world to play soccer and get an education. The climate, the culture, the travel. I knew exactly what Harri would be going through.”
Beyond having a yearning for a life change, Lovett was rather pragmatic in his decision to venture across the pond.
“In the U.K., there is no correlation between football and academics. I wanted to keep playing soccer while getting a college degree,” he said. “Attending a school on scholarship in the U.S. meant I didn’t have to pay. So it was the best of both worlds.”
To say that Lovett has adapted nicely to his new environs is an understatement. As Chowan Assistant Athletic Director of Athletic Communications Evann Carpenter says, “Harri is the true definition of a student-athlete.”
The first Chowan athlete in any sport to be named both an athletic and academic All-America in the same season (now twice), Harri serves as a Presidential Ambassador on campus as well as a university relations intern helping oversee the school’s social media channels, alumni relations and event planning. He recently finished his term as president of Alpha Chi Honor Society at Chowan, and continues to be the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representative for soccer at the school.
Perhaps his finest moment came last May, when he received his B.S. degree in business in the aforementioned only three years of study and was one of the four commencement speakers at the graduation ceremonies. His speech encouraged fellow grads to consider experiences outside of their comfort zone.
Coach Whalley and Harri’s family conspired to surprise him for his graduation. Harri was invited over to Whalley’s home in Carrollton, Virginia, where he was asked to dig a trench in the coach’s yard. Little did he know that his father and sister had traveled from Wales to attend his graduation. His mother had just been elected to her city council post, so she had to stay home and watch the graduation streamed online.
“This was two days before graduation,” said Harri. “I spent four hours digging the trench. I was filthy. Coach asked me to take his dog for a walk afterwards. I walked around the corner on the block where he lived in the neighborhood, and here comes my dad and sister walking towards me. I was shocked!”
Whalley and Lovett have forged a very unique coach-player relationship over the past several years, something that has benefitted both greatly.
“I think we’re really like-minded,” said the coach. “Harri’s a very mature kid. He’s the team captain and a really good conduit for the team. I’ve been told by people that it’s not a good idea to have a relationship with one of your players. I disagree. We’re not dealing with professionals, we’re dealing with young athletes. We need to have relationships in order to get more out of them.
“We’re very collaborative. I think I’m a good role model for him. I know what it takes to make it in this country. Often I’ll just invite Harri into my office for a cup of tea and have a chat. I want to know what’s going on with the team and Harri can provide that.”
Clearly, the friendship has served Harri well.
“He’s established himself as one of the best to ever play at Chowan,” Whalley says with obvious pride. “When he’s through, he’ll be a Hall of Famer.”
The coach also says he’s not surprised that Lovett is so proficient in doling out assists as his trademark play.
“It’s just synonymous with his personality. He does so much on campus to help people. He’s extremely well-liked, a good teammate and great leader.”
In fact, he is such a great leader, Whalley predicts Harri will be a successful future coach if he chooses that career path.
“He’ll most definitely be a good coach. He’s got such a great personality. He’s a hard worker. And he’s just great with people.”
So, while Lovett’s playing career is winding down, he admits he once dreamt about suiting up in a Wrexham Red Dragon soccer kit and competing for the hometown team.
“Of course, I thought about it. Absolutely. It’s every kid’s childhood dream. But with this new investment, Wrexham is now suiting up better players. I’m just not good enough. In fact, I’d be upset if they signed me and would be very pessimistic about their future.”
Which is something they will never say about Harri Lovett’s future as a coach or businessman. For this exceptional student-athlete has found gold with seemingly everything he’s touched.
Bob Rose is a longtime sports public relations executive who has worked for the San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics, the NFL Cardinals, Cal, Stanford and other organizations. Bob works with Assistant Commissioner for External Relations Brian Hand and the entire Conference Carolinas office to help tell the stories of the tremendous student-athletes, coaches and administrators in Conference Carolinas.