For over thirty years, Charlie Newman has always been known for speed. As a Pop Warner football standout, he was known as Charlie "Choo-Choo" for his trademark electrifying long touchdown runs. "Choo-Choo", a name given to him by Coach Bill Bullard as it reminded him of the great University of North Carolina tailback and former Heisman Trophy winner, Charlie Choo-Choo Justice.
As a junior high schooler, Charlie set several Mecklenburg and Buncombe County touchdown and rushing records. As an eight grader at Carmel Academy (acquired by Charlotte Country Day), he holds the 100yd dash record with a time of 10.0 seconds. As a ninth grader at Christ School for Boys, in Arden, NC, he ran the 100yd dash in 9.8 seconds and was the 1978 NCISAA State 100yd dash Champion and place 2nd in the long jump (21'5).
Transferring from Christ School for Boys to Charlotte Latin as a tenth grader, he was an All Mecklenburg County running back. As a junior at Olympic High School he was selected as a 2nd Team All Mecklenburg County running back and received the player of the week award twice (for consecutive weeks of back to back kick off returns for touchdowns). As a senior, he was selected as a 1st Team All Mecklenburg County and 1st Team All Conference (Southwestern 4A) running back.
Charlie went to Appalachian State University on scholarships (academic, walk on football, and ROTC). Upon graduation in 1986, he was commissioned into the United States Army as a Second lieutenant. It was then that he began his coaching career in football and Track and field. Charlie coached several US Army track and field teams and was responsible for organizing meets on various military installations, in addition to coaching AAU teams. Upon returning to Charlotte in 1992, he continued his passion for coaching as the head track and field coach for Albemarle Road Middle School. While there, he coached a number of eventual State 4A Champions, most notable: Freddy Staton, Mecklenburg County 7th grade 100yd dash record holder (10.90sec), the National AAU 100 meter Champion and NCISAA State 100 meter Champion. As word of his expertise traveled so did his private clientele thus he became known as "The Speed Coach."
Over the years, Charlie has coached and provided technical assistance to numerous State and AAU champions that have gone on to compete at the collegiate and Olympic levels.
Charlie is a USA Certified Track and Field Coach, Certified Track and Field Official, and received sprint training under renowned Russian Sprint Coach Ben Tobosnic