We caught up with SUNY Brockport Head Women's Flag Football Coach Charrise Everett after a historic first full season at the helm of the Golden Eagles. In just year one, she led Brockport to a 9-4 overall record and a 6-2 mark in Empire 8 play, capped by winning the inaugural Empire 8 Conference Championship at Bob Boozer Field on April 24 against Elmira. Everett also guided Empire 8 Conference Tournament MVP Megan Gerber, who has gone on to earn multiple invitations to Team USA women's flag football tryouts since graduating from Brockport.
 
Below you will find the interview we conducted with Coach Everett for the Brockport Athletics Alumni Newsletter.
 
Coming Home to Brockport
What does it mean to you to return to SUNY Brockport as a head coach, and how has your experience as a former Golden Eagle shaped your approach to this role?
 
Coach Everett: It meant a lot. I take pride in being able to give back to the community. I had such a great time at Brockport. All the professors and faculty were very supportive of me and encouraged me to be successful. Knowing you have the support of many people, it boosts your confidence.
 
Program Vision
 
As you begin your first season, what are the core values and standards you want to establish within your program?
 
CE: Family first is what I led with. For us to be successful on the field, we needed to develop a bond with each other. We needed to trust each other and be bought in.
 
A few standards we held were:
 
Team Standard: Integrity
We hold ourselves to the highest standard of honesty and accountability. On and off the field, we do the right thing, even when it's difficult. Our actions reflect your character and our team.
 
Team Standard: Sportsmanship
We uphold sportsmanship by rising above negativity. When others go low, we respond with respect, composure, and class.
 
We had an acronym for the season           
Brockport Flag:
B – Bold (play with confidence)
F – Focus (stay locked in on goals)
L – Leadership (set the example for others)
A – Accountability (own your actions and effort)
G – Grit (push through challenges with toughness)
 
Early Impressions
 
In your first months on campus, what stood out to you about today's student-athletes, Brockport Athletics, or the overall campus culture?
 
CE: The amount of support and encouragement from everyone, every department, has truly been remarkable. There was so much excitement around flag football. Brockport truly embraced us and wanted nothing but to see us be successful. The number of calls, emails, and people stopping by my office to say hi, check in, or simply say good luck was encouraging. I was nervous being a first-year coach, but the support helped me use the nervousness as fuel.
 
Message to Alumni
 
What would you like to say to Brockport alumni as you start this new chapter, and how do you hope they stay connected to the program moving forward?
 
CE: Thank you for your support. To be an alumni and be able to give back is a huge honor. Please follow our social media, IG: bportwflag, X:BFLAG2526, TikTok: bportflagfootball to stay up to date and follow our journey.
 
What is something fans or alumni might not see that you're especially proud of—team culture, training focus, resilience, or academic commitment?
 
CE: This year we were hit with five serious injuries, season ending injuries. Instead of folding and giving up our bond grew tighter, stronger and we stuck together as a team to accomplish winning the championship. The players stepped up in multiple ways to make sure our season was successful. We played for each other every day.
 
Looking Ahead
 
What excites you most about the future of your program—returners, incoming recruits, new initiatives, or developmental priorities?
 
CE: The growth of sport in general excites me. Within the next year or two flag football will move from emerging sports status to championship status with the NCAA, which will allow for us to have a national championship. For the program, we have a great group of recruits who are looking to come in and make an impact right away. We were a young team, so the majority of the team will be coming back. We are in a great position. This summer I will be hosting two camps to bring more exposure for the team and the college.
 
Alumni Connection
 
Do you have a message you'd like to share with your alumni or former players?

CE: To my eight seniors, class of 26, THANK YOU! Your leadership was truly appreciated, and I am forever grateful for the time we had. Like everything we accomplished this season and being the first to do, you are our first alumni group. I wish you much success and know you always have a home here at Brockport. Talons Up!
 
Golden Eagle Values
 
How does your team embody the values of SUNY Brockport Athletics, both on and off the field?
 
CE: We understand that we are students first. In our first year we had 11 players make the Empire 8 Presidents List. We play with integrity and we represent not only Brockport, but ourselves and our families on and off the field. The standards we establish for our team resembles the values that are set by SUNY Brockport.