In 2018, the city’s first and only pre-professional football club, Corpus Christi FC Sharks, took the field. Before the team began play, Dr. Kingsley Okonkwo had spent two years working on making that a reality. “In 2016, I began exploring the possibility of bringing a United Soccer League Two franchise to our city,” he said. “My research confirmed the Coastal Bend is home to many talented players and a passionate soccer community, which led me to acquire the franchise.”
A medical doctor by profession and a former soccer player himself, Okonkwo’s deep love for “the beautiful game” fueled his drive to create new opportunities in the sport for Corpus Christi. Now, six years after the team’s first season, it is stronger than ever—and its new era has only just begun.
Kylie Cooper: How has CCFC evolved since its inception in 2016?
Dr. Kingsley Okonkwo: It’s been an incredible journey, with tremendous growth both on and off the field. In 2019, we launched our youth academy to nurture young talent within the community. Last December, we broke ground on our sports complex and stadium project. This past summer, the CCFC Sharks made history by becoming USL2 division champions for the first time and earning the title of the highest-scoring team in the nation.
KC: The club hasn’t had an “official home” since its inception, which will soon change with the completion of the new, state-of-the-art multi-sports complex. What does it mean for CCFC to have a home field and training facility?
KO: We’re thrilled about the move—it’s been a lot of hard work, and we can’t wait to finally settle into our new facility. The Corpus Christi FC Multi Sports Complex will feature eight multi-use fields and a 5,000-seat stadium. In addition to serving as our training facility and home venue, it will also host youth tournaments for various sports, including baseball, softball and soccer, nearly every weekend throughout the year.
KC: What do you hope the addition of the complex will bring to the Coastal Bend?
KO: The complex will offer another space for the community to relax and stay active, and our youth players and their families will no longer need to travel as extensively for tournaments. The complex will also generate local jobs, and visitors will contribute to our economy by supporting local businesses during their stay. This influx of visitors will boost our local economy by filling our hotels and restaurants, and creating new jobs.
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KC: What is the tentative timeline for the complex’s completion and opening?
KO: Phase one of the Sports Complex, including the multi-use fields, is set to be completed by the end of this fall, with phase two, which includes the stadium, expected to be ready by summer 2025.
KC: How will the new facility aid in CCFC’s overall standings in the United States soccer system?
KO: The United Soccer League has been incredibly supportive of our efforts. We’ve been promoted to a higher level of play and have been offered a United Soccer League One franchise. This means that Corpus Christi will soon be home to a fully professional soccer club, competing from March to November each year. We’ve been working toward becoming a fully professional club for the past three years, and we’re thrilled to see it finally coming to fruition.
KC: How will this change the local soccer landscape?
KO: It’s a significant milestone when you consider other cities with professional soccer teams, like San Antonio, Houston and Dallas. It brings me great joy to know that Corpus Christi will soon be counted among these major cities. To make this a success, we’ll need the support of our entire community.
