The News Journal
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Postal worker delivers at A.I.
by Matt Zabitka
A Washington, D.C., postal worker coaches the Alexis I. duPont High girls soccer team, traveling some 250 miles daily to get the job done and doesnt miss a beat.
What's more, he meets all his commitments, including presence at practices, games, and whatever needs to be done.
His name is Shibaji Chakraborty, a native of India, and he has been working in D.C. since 1997. But he's not your ordinary postal woker.
He's a purchasing specialist and contracting officer for the U.S. Postal System.
And he has impressive credentials in academia as well as soccer.
He was a soccer and cricket player at Xavier High in New Delhi, India, where he also participated in field hockey one year. At the Delhi University, where he majored in botany, he played soccer and ping pong. Later, he attended law school at the Faculty of Law, Delhi University.
He emigrated to the U.S. in 1983, settling in Delaware, where his sister and brother-in-law reside, at Sanford Ridge, near Sanford School.
Soccer being his first love, avocationally, he sought out a conection in the sport and found one with the Kirkwood Soccer Club, introduced by Joe Mills.
"I used to enjoy the soccer clinics Lou Atkinson conducted," Shibaji said. "That's where and how my coaching blossomed. My talents in that role were appreciated by such very knowledgeable soccer people as Mike Dickey and especially Chris Morgan."
Shibaji started coaching the Kirkwood under-16 Avalanche and under 14-Roadrunners, both girls teams.
When he learned of a coaching at A.I., he applied, was interviewed and got the job, beating out several other astute coaching applicants.
So how is Shibaji doing at a school that has built a reputation as a perennial powerhouse, a state title-contender every year, winner of the state championship the last four years.
If anything, a new head coach was not a must or a need for the Tigers. In that aspect, the pressure has to be on Shibaji. He is expected to produce in his rookie year and continue the Tigers dynasty.
A.I. swept its first four games, but Shibaji isn't completely satisfied.
"These kids have a lot of talent," he said, "but in movement and positioning they're not doing their best. We're working on it now.
"Our players are capable of playing at a much higher level than they are now. So far, I haven't been frustrated because they're so good. But I may, if they don't execute."
Father of two children, son Shiraj 12 and daughter Natasha 7, both students at Independence School, Shibaji makes the round trip to D.C. everyday by train.
"I enjoy coaching," he explained. He enjoys it so much, he said, "that I spend some of my own money to do it."