Former Newman University men’s soccer assistant coach Victor Olorunfemi has been dreaming of starting a youth soccer club for nearly a decade.
This fall, that dream becomes reality with the launch of Valor Soccer Club, a new Wichita-based nonprofit organization dedicated to making youth soccer more accessible while helping young athletes succeed both on and off the field.
He’s partnering with a former player and two-time Newman graduate, Nathan Huie, who received his undergraduate degree in marketing and business management in 2024, followed by his Master of Business Administration degree in 2025.
While soccer is at the center of Valor’s work, the organization’s vision extends far beyond the game.
“We want to provide opportunities for kids,” Olorunfemi said. “For a lot of families, a college degree can change the trajectory of an entire family. If we can help even one kid use soccer as a pathway to education and opportunity, then all of this work is worth it.”
That vision was shaped by Olorunfemi’s own experiences growing up in Wichita after moving from Nigeria as a child. He was inspired by a talented friend whose soccer dreams were cut short when family circumstances forced him to leave the sport and work to help support his household.
“I still think about that situation,” Olorunfemi said. “I was fortunate to have parents and older brothers who could guide me. Not everyone has that support. I always wondered what could have happened if someone had stepped in and helped him see a path forward.”
Building foundations
Olorunfemi first played collegiate soccer at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the University of Dayton. He then returned to Wichita determined to use the sport as a vehicle for mentorship and opportunity.
He spent years coaching youth soccer, serving as a college advisory director and learning the inner workings of club soccer while quietly developing plans for an organization of his own.
Meanwhile, Huie was building a similar vision.
A Wichita native, Huie began playing soccer at age 5 through local recreational programs. His family could not afford competitive club soccer during much of his childhood, making his path to collegiate soccer more difficult than most.
Despite the obstacles, Huie earned a spot on Newman’s soccer team and eventually became a starter after walking on to the roster.
“I worked my way up from the bottom of the roster,” Huie said. “It taught me what perseverance looks like. Now I want to help kids who are in a similar situation reach levels they don’t think are possible.”
The pair met at Newman, where Olorunfemi coached Huie. Later, Huie joined Olorunfemi as an assistant coach for youth teams, and the two discovered they shared many of the same goals.
“Victor brought a different perspective to coaching than I’d seen before,” Huie said. “Everything was about helping kids grow as people, not just players.”
Together, they began transforming a long-held dream into a reality.
Moving a dream to reality
One of Valor’s primary goals is affordability. The club plans to offer free participation for its youngest players, ages under 6 through under 8, removing one of the biggest barriers many families face when introducing children to organized sports.
The organization has already secured a significant partnership with Wichita Public Schools. Beginning this fall, Valor coaches will provide free soccer clinics at 18 elementary schools, reaching thousands of students throughout the school year. The club also plans to host four free community soccer camps.
“We never want a child to go home excited about soccer and have a parent feel like they can’t afford to let them try it,” Olorunfemi said.
As the club grows, Olorunfemi and Huie plan to expand beyond the basics of soccer instruction. The co-founders plan to include academic monitoring, tutoring connections, ACT preparation resources and mentorship programs designed to help student-athletes prepare for college.
Those priorities are reflected in Valor’s crest, which features a graduation cap alongside a soccer ball — a visual reminder that education remains at the heart of the organization’s mission.
The club’s motto, “Better than yesterday, worse than tomorrow,” reflects its commitment to continual growth both on and off the field.
Valor is also working to create opportunities for women in coaching. Former standout Wichita player Dora Gallo has joined the organization to lead the development of the club’s girls program as director.
“Dora’s story is exactly the kind of story we want our players to see,” Olorunfemi said. “She used soccer to earn a college education and build a successful career. That’s powerful for young athletes to witness.”
The Newman impact
Throughout the process, both founders credit the Newman community for helping shape their journey.
Huie says the university’s emphasis on service played a major role in his desire to give back. He also leaned on Newman faculty and mentors as he navigated the challenges of helping launch a nonprofit organization.
“I love Newman,” Huie said. “It’s a place where I grew so much. The goal is to help kids get to college, and Newman is part of that pathway.”
Olorunfemi echoed those sentiments, noting the support he has received from current Newman men’s soccer head coach Victor Domingues and women’s soccer head coach Dylan Gruntzel.
“The Newman community is incredibly supportive,” Olorunfemi said. “Even years after coaching there, people have reached out asking how they can help.”
As Valor Soccer Club prepares for its inaugural season, both founders know there is still much work ahead. But after years of planning, mentoring and dreaming, they are eager to begin.
“We’ll take any support we can get,” Huie said. “Players, volunteers, donors, sponsors … anything that helps us create opportunities for kids.”
For Olorunfemi, the goal remains as clear as it was when he first imagined the idea nearly a decade ago.
“There are kids all over Wichita with talent and potential,” he said. “Sometimes they just need someone to open a door. We want Valor to be that door.”
