LEWISTON, Maine (AP) The Lewiston soccer coach who won the state championship with a diverse team including African immigrants is retiring after 37 years.

Coach Mike McGraw’s first championship in 2015 were a source of pride for a city that had undergone a dramatic change with the arrival of thousands of immigrants from African countries. His teams also won championships in 2017 and 2018.

McGraw told the Sun Journal he realized it was time to retire when his mind didn’t immediately turn to next season after losing the state championship in November.

He said that it’s only fair that “if I can’t go 100%, I should drop back.”

Lewiston athletic director Jason Fuller said McGraw told the team Monday. Each player shook his hand, gave him a hug and said thank you.