By Madelyn Morgan

McFall with the varsity football team.

Charlie McFall, athletic director, coach, and teacher at Collegiate School for 43 years, passed away on September 21, 2023. He retired as the varsity football coach in 2006, and he helped shape the school’s athletic programs for over four decades.

As a young man, McFall was an outstanding student-athlete at Randolph-Macon Academy and Randolph-Macon College before beginning his career in education and coaching. He joined Collegiate as a math teacher in 1970 and soon became involved in coaching football and basketball. In 1982, he took over the baseball team, and in 1986 he became the head varsity football coach.

During his time as football coach, McFall led the football team to four VISAA and five Prep League championships, and led the baseball team to one VISAA and five Prep League championships. As athletic director for 26 years, McFall was known for his deep passion for coaching and strategic ability to coach many different sports, which earned him widespread respect.

My father, Kelby Morgan, Sr., (‘91), played for McFall while a student at Collegiate. It was clear that McFall made a lasting impact on his life. As Morgan recalled, McFall was someone who “looked out” for him and always showed he cared. When Morgan’s parents were away, McFall would keep an eye on both him and his sister Molly (‘92). “That’s how we started to build a relationship,” Morgan said, remembering how McFall’s kindness shaped their bond from an early age. Morgan’s parents traveled for field trials with their retrievers, and McFall willingly stepped in and made sure Morgan was doing his homework and going to school. McFall helped shaped my father into the hardworking man he is today.

Beyond just looking after Morgan, McFall made sure he had opportunities to grow. He helped Morgan get involved and taught him many life lessons. One memory Morgan has is being a ball boy in Middle School for the varsity football team, as well as playing when he was older. Morgan shared that McFall “was a great coach,” highlighting McFall’s ability to inspire and motivate others, whether in sports or in life. Their connection went deeper than school, into activities off of the field, such as hunting. 

1991 varsity football team photo.

One specific memory Morgan has of McFall was during a football game when McFall told Morgan to run a specific play, and Morgan took it upon himself to run a different play, specifically a passing play where Morgan would get passed the ball. The team ran the new play without telling McFall, and Morgan scored a touchdown. McFall, upset but also happy they scored, pulled Morgan out of the game, saying to him, “Gosh darn it, Morgan, good touchdown.”

McFall’s mentorship was not limited to just Morgan. As a counselor at Camp Virginia, a boys camp in western Virginia run by former Collegiate Head of School Mac Pitt, McFall was beloved by all who knew him. “He was a very nice man, and very kind man, and very lighthearted,” Morgan reflected. McFall’s positivity, always smiling and joking around, made him someone that everyone wanted to be around. His ability to make others feel comfortable and welcome earned him respect and admiration everywhere he went.

McFall was a man who touched countless lives. Morgan noted, “I’m just one of hundreds of people that would tell you the same thing.” McFall was not only a great friend to many but also a true leader and mentor. He influenced many and left a legacy of respect and love wherever he went. Everyone who knew him wanted to be near him because of his genuine kindness and down-to-earth nature.

All photos courtesy of the Julia Williams Study and Archives Center.