To the Atlantic Collegiate Academy family,

Writing this letter is one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do professionally.

As many of you know, I have officially submitted my resignation as Athletic Director at Atlantic Collegiate Academy. While I know this is the right decision for my family as we begin our next chapter in Nevada, that knowledge does little to ease the pain of saying goodbye.

When I first accepted this position, I honestly never imagined that I would fall in love with high school athletics. Having spent so much of my career in college, I never imagined the passion I would develop for it all. It consumed everything about my life for more than three years and I loved every minute of it.

ACA changed me.

The students of Atlantic Collegiate Academy have changed not only my life, but the lives of my entire family. You welcomed us, loved us, challenged us, and allowed us to become part of something far greater than ourselves. The relationships we have built here will remain with us forever.

Together, we celebrated championships, heartbreaking defeats, unforgettable moments, and countless memories. We won a lot, and we lost at times, too. But if we're being honest, every success we experienced was because of our incredible coaches and student-athletes; and often in spite of me. The coaches poured their hearts into these programs, and our students represented ACA with pride, passion, and character. I was simply fortunate enough to have the best front-row seat.

What makes leaving so difficult is knowing that we didn't simply build athletic teams; we built something lasting. We built something special. We built a culture, a family, and a standard that will continue long after any one individual is gone. The banners, trophies, and championships are wonderful, but they will never compare to the relationships, the laughter, the tears, and the lifelong bonds formed along the way.

For someone who has moved more times than I can count, South Carolina and Myrtle Beach became more than a place to live. ACA made this community feel like home; perhaps the only true home my family has ever known. You embraced us from the very beginning, and because of that, a piece of us will always belong here.

No matter where life takes me, Atlantic Collegiate Academy will always be the love of my life position. No future position, title, or accomplishment will ever diminish what this place has meant to me and my family.

While we may soon be physically located in Nevada, our hearts will always remain at 5086 Bear Bluff Road.

Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of your story. More importantly, thank you for becoming such an important part of ours.

I will forever be proud to say that I was part of the Armada family.

With gratitude, love, and a heavy heart,






William J. Payne
Director of Athletics
Atlantic Collegiate Academy
 
About Atlantic Collegiate Academy: Atlantic Collegiate Academy (ACA), located in Conway, S.C., serves high school students in a safe, small and family-centered setting. Our students seek the opportunity and challenge of rigorous curriculum, high academic standards and elite athletics while also earning up to two years of college credit. ACA serves students in grades 9-12 using an honors curriculum in 9th and 10 grades with a dual enrollment curriculum in 11th and 12th grades. Learn more about ACA by visiting our website at AtlanticCollegiate.Academy and by following us on social media on Facebook, Instagram and X.