By Kyle Coppola
MDCA Graduate Reggie Virgil Gives Back to MDCA Football Program
Mount Dora Christian Academy welcomed home Class of 2022 graduate Reggie Virgil for a special visit that celebrated both his success and his heart for giving back. A former Bulldog standout, Reggie played three seasons of Division I football at Miami University (Ohio) and is now preparing for his senior year at Texas Tech University.
This past season, Reggie stood out nationally, ranking sixth in the nation and leading the MAC in average yards per catch. But on this visit, it wasn’t stats or accolades that took center stage. It was gratitude, encouragement and generosity.
(Reggie holds a $5,000 check he presented to the MDCA Football Program on the very same field he made a name for himself. Standing next to Reggie is MDCA Athletic Director Megan Ziegelhofer.)
“It’s always been a dream to come back,” he told the MDCA football team during his post-practice talk. “For me, MDCA changed my life.”
His visit included a special presentation hosted by Academy Athletic Director Megan Ziegelhofer. Surrounded by current players, coaches, former mentors, and school staff, Reggie announced a financial gift to the MDCA football program, made possible through his Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) contract.
“I wanted to show you guys that you can do it too,” he says. “It might be hard, but keep going. God’s got you.”
(Photo Credit MDCA.)
He challenged student-athletes to keep their priorities in order, reminding them of the foundation that MDCA offers both on and off the field.
“Take things seriously—chapel, school, your relationship with God,” he says. “When you get out into the real world, it’s different. But as long as you’ve got God with you, it will be ok.”
To wrap up the visit, Reggie surprised everyone in attendance with an ice cream truck, a fun way to cap off a heartfelt day that underscored what it means to lead with character, faith, and humility.
“Do what you’re supposed to do,” he says. “Listen to the people who are trying to help you. Keep the main thing the main thing, and it will all be ok.”
Reggie’s return was a reminder of the mission at the heart of Mount Dora Christian Academy: to educate, equip, and empower students to impact the world for Christ. And as Reggie’s journey shows, when that mission takes root, it can produce a powerful legacy.
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
