CNU Alumnus Becomes a Norfolk Police Officer
(NEWPORT NEWS, VA) — After finishing six months of training at the Police Officer Training Academy in Norfolk recently, Christopher Newport University graduate Martin Zelada could choose anyone he wanted to pin on his police badge for the first time.
He chose his soccer coach at CNU, Steve Shaw.
“When I came to CNU, Coach Shaw and I became very close,” said Zelada, a native of Bolivia who graduated from CNU in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in governmental administration. “He took me under his arm, and helped me in every way possible. I chose him because he was a father figure to me, and we had a great relationship because of school and soccer.”
Aware that Zelada’s family, now living in Manassas, Va., was out of the country during the time of the ceremony, Shaw wanted to make sure that Zelada had someone there cheering for him.
“I told him I would be there no matter what I had to do, I wouldn’t miss it,” said Shaw, CNU men’s soccer coach, who describes his former player as a self-made man.
Zelada was the goalkeeper on the CNU men’s soccer team from 1999 to 2003, and one of the team’s captains his senior year. For the graduation ceremony on Sept. 1 at the Norfolk Fire Training Center, he also was awarded a trophy as “the most physically fit” of the 20 graduates, to which he credited his athleticism and soccer training.
“People don’t always work as hard as they can, and Martin always seemed to be doing his best, which is very impressive to me,” Shaw said. “He is a special individual.”
The former player and coach maintain their special relationship, visiting and talking as often as possible.
“Martin didn’t have a father figure growing up, but he knew I was always there for him, and I had the opportunity to speak into his life and give him advice as if he were my son. As a coach you establish relationships that last forever,” Shaw said. “Martin still comes back to help me with soccer camps. He is a selfless person and has earned everything he has accomplished.”
Christopher Newport University is a four-year public university in Newport News, Virginia. CNU enrolls 4,800 students in programs through its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the School of Business and offers great teaching, small classes and an emphasis on leadership, civic engagement and honor. Visit us at www.cnu.edu.