It’s been a busy fall in the Virginia Peninsula Community College athletics department. The men’s soccer season just ended, the women’s volleyball team is preparing for the Region 10 postseason tournament, and a number of hires have been made.
First, Jason Ceraul is the new men’s soccer coach. He moved into the role shortly before the season started. Noah Jacks-Waters is the new student-athlete support specialist, and Michael Meese is the men’s soccer operations and compliance assistant.
Here’s a look at the additions to Gators athletics:
Jason Ceraul
Ceraul was attracted to the position because he wants to continue developing players and programs.
“My commitment is to build a competitive, sustainable (junior college) soccer program at VPCC that develops players and prepares them for the next level,” he said. “With the wealth of soccer talent in Hampton Roads, VPCC can provide a valuable pathway for local players to continue their careers while building strong partnerships with area clubs and colleges to create opportunities for advancement.”
A longtime youth and high school (Woodside boys) coach, Ceraul wants players to be aware of all their playing options beyond high school.
“Many kids are drawn into the big four-year schools as the only routes that they can go,” he said. “So, when they look at a junior college program, what they don’t realize is it is a good option. They still have an opportunity to play highly competitive soccer.”
VPCC’s program, which started in 2023, is in its infancy. That also drew Ceraul’s interest. And he noted his players are taking pride in being cornerstones.
“Whatever gets built in the future is resting on their shoulders; that’s exciting to the players,” he said. “I think it’s going to be interesting and exciting and some brand-new pages to turn on a program that’s going forward.”
He’s not only looking to develop the program and the players, but himself, as well.
“I’m entering into some new stages where I’m getting to recruit at different levels. I’m getting to talk to more players at different levels,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to take an individual and work with them for a year or two and then help them get to a different level. That would be an amazing feat for them and me.”
Ceraul also coaches for the Reign soccer club. He has a USSF E Coaching license and is working on his D license. He also is a physical education, health and drivers’ education instructor at Menchville High School.
He earned a bachelor’s in government and public administration from Christopher Newport University, a master’s in education from Regent University and an Ed.S. in K-12 leadership from Regent.
Noah Jacks-Waters
He was born in Atlanta but attended Atlantic Shores Christian for his last three years of high school, where he played basketball, football and ran track. Football was his main sport and he earned a full scholarship to NCAA Division II Alderson Broaddus University (W.Va.). He transferred to Juniata College, a Division III school in Pennsylvania, for his senior year. He earned a master’s in sports management from Old Dominion University in 2024.
Prior to joining the Gators, he was a graduate assistant in Student Athlete Support Services at ODU from August 2022-May 2024, and an athletic adviser at ODU from August 2024-May 2026. His main responsibility with the Gators is to make sure the athletes are aware of the student resources available to them. He also handles behind-the-scenes tasks.
“The most interesting aspect of the position was exploring more of the athletic realm,” he said. “I can still help the students with the academics.”
He likes the array of roles and not being confined to just one.
“I’m just enjoying being able to experience a lot more than I was privy too,” he said. “I think it’s a huge opportunity here in terms of growth on a personal level as well as at the College’s level. I’m just excited for the opportunity and seeing where it leads.”
He is the son of former NFL standout Andre Waters.
Michael Meese
Meese is from Williamsburg and graduated from Jamestown High School, where he was a standout soccer player. He was a Top Drawer Soccer first-team All-American in 2019 and the Virginia Gatorade player of the year in 2020. He spent one year at the College of William & Mary before transferring to Trinity University, where he earned a bachelor’s in political science and government in May 2025. He has a master’s in Sport Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University.
