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Christopher Newport University

Christopher Newport Univ Athletics
 1 University Place Newport News, VA 23606
Division 3 Virginia Northeast
Public Small National competitor
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Justin Chezem

A staple on the sidelines of Christopher Newport men's soccer for nearly two decades, Justin Chezem was named the seventh head coach in the history of the program ahead of the 2019 season. After leading the Captains to the NCAA Tournament in his first year, he enters his fourth year in 2022 with an overall record of 26-7-7.


In the first year with the reins, Chezem guided the Captains to one of the biggest turnarounds in program history. He took over a 7-win team from 2018 and doubled the win total behind statistically the finest defense in program history. The Captains finished 14-2-5 overall with a 9-1-0 record in conference play to capture the Capital Athletic Conference regular season championship. He led CNU back to the NCAA Tournament where they posted a pair of shutouts against Eastern and Swarthmore.


In 2019, the Captains set program records for goals-against average and save percentage while allowing just 12 goals in over 2,014 mintues of action. The record 0.54 GAA ranked fifth in the nation while also ranking fourth nationally in save percentage with a 0.872 mark. He guided first team All-American Derek Cook and a pair of All-Region picks in his first season.


The COVID-19 global pandemic canceled the 2020 season, but Chezem came back strong for his second season in 2021. The architect of the nation's toughest schedule, Chezem guided the Captains to a 12-5-2 overall record and the team's first conference championship since 2016. Again leaning on a talented defense, the CNU Men's Soccer team won nine of ten games at the end of the season to propel themselves into the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014. CNU checked back into the national rankings and finished the year ranked No. 11 in the nation.


Chezem has been directly involved with the CNU men's soccer program for 19 years as both a player and an assistant coach. He has been on staff as the Captains have grown to a national power, including becoming the first team in CNU Athletics history to garner a number one national ranking in 2009. Christopher Newport reached the NCAA Tournament eight times during his tenure, including three trips to the National Quarterfinals, and have won five conference championships.


During his 12 seasons as an assistant coach, Chezem helped Christopher Newport post over 200 wins with eight NCAA Tournament appearances. The Captains averaged 15 wins per season while Chezem was an assistant coach. In addition to the success on the field, Chezem helped grow the team's involvement in the community through camps and clinics while working to expand the Captains' alumni base. In 2018, he spearheaded a fundraising effort on CNU Day that netted the soccer program over $30,000.


Chezem holds a USSF 'B' coaching license and the United Soccer Coaches Premier coaching license. Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Chezem was a four-year player for head coach Steve Shaw from 2001-04. During that time, he helped the Captains post a combined 48-25-6 record. On an individual level, he was a first team All-Conference pick in 2003 and 2004. Additionally, he was named to the USA South All-Tournament team for his efforts in the postseason during the 2004 campaign.


Chezem graduated with a degree in Business Marketing in 2005 and has also coached locally at Warwick High School. He and his wife Elizabeth have a son, Tucker, and a daughter, Palmer, and currently reside in Poquoson.

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Shawn Trueblood

Shawn Trueblood returns to the sidelines as a member of the CNU Men's Soccer coaching staff for his ninth year in 2022. He enters his fourth season with the men's program after a pair of seasons working with the nationally-ranked Christopher Newport women's soccer team, helping guide the Captains to the program's first ever NCAA Division III National Semifinals appearance in 2018. Prior to his work with the women's team, he also served as an assistant coach with the men's program for five years until the 2016 season.


He was a four-year starter on defense under head coach Steve Shaw between 2004-07, scoring five goals in his career. CNU averaged over 12 wins a season while Trueblood played, earning one trip to the NCAA Tournament, where the Captains defeated Chestnut Hill in the first round in 2006.


Trueblood has been building his coaching resume as a staff member at Lafayette HS and with the Virginia Legacy. He has served as a coach in the Legacy program since 2008, and now oversees the East End Legacy's Developmental, Advanced Development and U10-U18 Travel Teams. He also served as an assistant coach at his high school alma mater in Williamsburg for three years.


Trueblood graduated from Christopher Newport University in 2008 with a degree in Communication Studies. He and his wife Melissa have three daughters, Millie, Remi, and Nellie, and currently reside in Williamsburg.

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