Legendary Head Coach Babby Nuhn, along with Senior Captain Lily Ardito and Sam Ferraro share their inspiring journey to becoming CIAC Champions for three years in a row! Hear about the values that have fueled Coach Nuhn’s historic career, the games they’re eagerly anticipating this season, their insights on teamwork, how to balance education and athletics, and their strategies heading into this fall season.
Plus, enjoy a fun and fast-paced Q&A with North Branford’s champions. Don’t miss out on this behind-the-scenes look at their championship journey! 🏆🔥
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to CIAC's Glory Days podcast.
I'm your host, jada Maribel,and today I'm joined by the 2023
CIAC Class S Girls Field HockeyChampions North Brantford High
School.
I am joined by legendary headcoach Babby Noon, senior Sam
Ferraro and senior captain LilyArdito.
Thanks so much for joining meon the podcast today.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
We're delighted that you have invited us and having
this opportunity.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Thank you, I'm very excited to share your story.
So North Bamford has beenchampions for three years in a
row.
Now, what an accomplishmentthat is.
What strategy do you think ledto those three back-to-back
state championships?
Speaker 3 (00:37):
I mean it was really teamwork and gelling together
and working on things thatdidn't really work in past years
and making sure that they workthat like every year.
And it was it really came downto the teamwork aspect and kind
of just working together andmaking sure we gel together and
working on yeah, just helpingeach other and supporting each
other.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
So that's what really went into making that perfect
season.
You guys were 22 and all lastyear.
Yeah, that's great.
So it was that teamwork thatreally helped.
Yeah, so, as the currentreigning class S champions, if
you had to share a piece ofadvice to fellow athletes and
fellow coaches, what would it be?
Speaker 4 (01:11):
I would say put in those extra hours as athletes.
Obviously practice might belike two to three hours, but
putting that extra hour in willhelp you big time.
And for coaches, I feel likealways making sure that team is
united and together, Like youdon't want any drama or any
(01:32):
rivalry between your team.
It will break you guys apart.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Yes, absolutely so, Coach Noon.
You are a legendary fieldhockey coach earning many high
honors throughout your career,most recently earning a spot in
the National Field HockeyCoaches Association Hall of Fame
.
Congratulations, that's soexciting.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Thank you.
I'm honored and wouldn't havehappened without some of our
coaches putting together some ofthe statistics and everything
else.
So a shout out.
And that's what it's about yousurround yourself with
excellence as teammates, asparents, as the community and
coworkers.
We have an unbelievable staff,trust me.
It's not one person.
(02:08):
We have six coaches out there,including Kathy Galdenzi, cheryl
Torino, yvonne Maliki-Boltman,lori Connelly, sabrina Lemaire,
and that we're all togethertrying to mold our team and work
together.
We all have differentpersonalities, but it's all
(02:30):
because of everyone's input andtheir student athletes
willingness to listen to each ofus, what we can contribute.
So it's a team, it's a familyand that's our whole goal.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
So, besides that excellent support staff, what
else do you think has made yousuch an impactful coach?
Speaker 2 (02:46):
I just believe when I was a student athlete yes, a
lot of years ago, but I stillmaintain the same things.
It's that discipline, it's thework ethic and if you believe in
it, you just keep reinforcingit.
And students like Sam and Lilyand her four other awesome
seniors really understand theimportance of that unity.
(03:07):
They talk about how to betogether and the extra hard work
.
It should pay off.
It doesn't always, because youhave a little bit of luck in
there, but we believe in all ofour work as a family, as a unity
and as a group working togetherjust like a family, as a unity
and as a group working togetherjust like a family does.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
So besides, that family aspect?
What other key values do youtry to instill within your
program?
Speaker 2 (03:32):
They can probably help me out.
Honestly, I do instillacademics.
I believe in the commitment,the C's, commitment character to
be honest and to be forthright,giving back to the community.
And you know, it's more thanjust playing, feel like, it's
more than a stick and a ball.
(03:53):
It's whatever sport or activityyou're involved with, you have
to have some passion, you haveto have some desire, you have to
have fun, you have to reallylearn to work together.
So those are the things thatmake it together.
But it is because of the family.
Like a family works togetherand then a family has some
(04:13):
disagreements, a family has tolearn to work through these
other obstacles.
It's not always just nice andeasy, and that's okay.
Families work through it.
We have unconditional lovewithin our ranks as student
athletes, with their freshman,sophomore, junior, senior and
the coaching staff.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
So oh, that's beautiful.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
It's bigger than sport, much, much bigger sport
is just the means to get to thebigger picture.
My goal is not to make themolympians.
My goal is to help to developthem with their parents, with
the community, with the school,and make them great young women,
proud of themselves and beingable to accomplish anything.
Okay.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
That's a great coaching values you're
instilling, because I feel likea lot of sports, sometimes you
miss out on that and it's moreabout making them to a
well-rounded individual thanjust a great athlete.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
So those are life skills you're teaching.
Speaker 1 (05:07):
That's great.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Thanks, jada.
That is our important goal andI'm hoping Sam and Lily and
their other seniors I have togive a shout-out.
Do you want to shout-out yourseniors?
Speaker 3 (05:18):
Sure, we have four other amazing seniors Olivia
Schmidt, joanna Lamott, rileyCole and Daytona Kaminsky.
They are I don't even havewords like, they're amazing,
like, and they're we're allreally close to, they're all
really good friends, they're allamazing, amazing people and
amazing players too.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
You all seem like a close-knit bunch, which is very
nice.
Yeah, we're all friends.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
Yeah, it's nice, we all grew up with each other
since middle school.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
Really, have you been playing field hockey together
for a long time?
Speaker 4 (05:44):
Yes, all six seniors, including us two.
We've all been playing sincesixth grade on the same team,
and so we've been througheverything together at this
point.
Yeah, that really helps createthat bond.
Yeah, it does.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
So my last question for about your coaching career
is how has your coaching stoodthe test of time?
Because you began in the 1970sand I can imagine it's very
different coaching athletes thanit is now in 2024.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
The times are changing.
The analogy I said look at yourphone right now and it's
different.
It's antiquated after one yearand I don't care if you're an
Android or iPhone.
You have to make those changes.
But my core beliefs have notchanged.
I'm still in it.
Poor beliefs have not changed.
I'm still in it.
I would rather a young ladylearn from their mistakes and
(06:28):
become a stronger human beingrather than cheat or lie or lose
a game.
Because we can lose, it's okay,but we cannot lose the lesson.
Most of the things we learn inlife, wherever we're at, it's
because we've learned it,sometimes the hard way, and I'm
an advocate of that.
I learned I'm a better coachtoday not because I'm a good
(06:51):
coach, because I've made so manymistakes over my career and I
share them.
I share them all.
The time I goofed, three yearsago, I goofed.
I goofed with our coaches.
All of our coaches are formerstudent athletes at North
Brantford too, which is, I think, a wonderful thing, and one
from each decade, but we won'tgo there.
Needless to say, that's what Iwant To me, the difference
(07:14):
between decades ago and today.
I'm still teaching the typicalskills and drills, et cetera.
Even though I have changed theconcepts and everything else,
it's still the bigger picturethat I'm very, very adamant in
my heart.
I want it to be.
You're the next generation.
I'm doing this.
I get my energy from them.
(07:35):
I don't bring energy.
I can't wait because I can'twait to see them and I can't
wait to see our two freshmen.
And we have 14 sophomores andyou know our awesome junior
class just a small group,because we've got 25 on our team
.
Each person has a role.
They are all welcome, they allcontribute.
(07:57):
It's not just a senior dominant, it's not a coach dominant,
it's a team and it is part ofthe we.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
It is we, you're all together yes, the
accomplishments out.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
There sounds like you've gained some really great
wisdom throughout all of your soum made a lot of mistakes
that's how you gain the wisdom Itry to share them with um
lessons that we've learned, somehard ones and some that we can
keep growing we're learning fromexample.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
That's the best way to teach right?
So, lily and Sam, you are boththree-sport athletes.
Lily, you are on the indoortrack team as well as softball,
and Sam you are on the indoortrack team as well as the girls'
lacrosse team.
So what do you find is the bestway to balance your education
with a demanding schedule of?
Speaker 4 (08:37):
athletics, first thing I do is always get my
homework done first.
That's a big priority of mine.
Either it's before practice,before we start practicing, or
if it's after, right away when Iget home and another advice I
also would like to give peopleis don't be afraid to ask for
help.
Um, and a big part of our teamis that we always make sure is
(08:57):
that, um, as upperclassmen, wehelp the underclassmen when with
classes we probably alreadytook, and um, you know, we
always, always are there tosupport each other.
So don't be afraid to ask forhelp.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
There's always somebody there for you yeah, I
mean, don't be afraid to ask forhelp.
Um, coach noon reallyemphasizes academics, academics,
academics all the time.
So if you're struggling in aclass, go up to her, go up to
any of the seniors and you'relike I'm really struggling and
she will be.
She will say go ask the teacherfor help.
So I feel like the team kind ofsurrounds the academics really
(09:34):
well.
So that makes it easier to askfor help and easier to get
everything done, especially withour busy schedule.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
Yes, one of our main focuses here at CIAC is
education-based athletics, sothose are two great ways to help
find that balance, because itcould be hard.
It's very demanding withpracticing games every night, so
it's always important to puteducation first.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
Jade, if I could interject, and I'm appreciative
of what Sam and Lily said.
We're not phonies about this.
They have a commitment asstudent-athletes.
Their academics come first.
So if they miss a practice or agame, that's okay.
If they need extra help a tutorit's true, samuel will say
(10:13):
we'll help to tutor them.
And if they need anythingacademically, and the result is
I think our students take theiracademics much more seriously
during the season and they dowell.
They set the tone as freshmen.
They see the support.
I don't just talk aboutsomething.
I like to try to be about thatand it's not just an expression.
I do believe in that.
So if you're struggling, sam isright, we'll get you somebody.
(10:36):
Even off the team, we'll helpyou out, no matter what.
And the pride is at the end ofthe year.
At the end of the markingperiod, we usually have 95.
We always have one person who'sjust didn't make honors or high
honors.
That's how high our academic is, similar to her hk uh track
(10:56):
team.
I'm sure, yeah, I'm sure shootout, shoot a little.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
Uh.
Shout out to chrissy behind thecamera in her hk track team.
Yes, it's very important to putthat first because that helps
you whether it's college or theworkforce after.
It helps make you well-rounded,not just with athletics, but
you have that education behindit.
Heading to this new school yearand fall season, how will you
both help to lead the team asseniors?
I know you've mentioned somedifferent ways.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
Well, first of all, we want to be very approachable
because we had, um, what was theteam last year?
Like 35, 36 players, and itkind of was like um, the
freshmen here, sophomores here,juniors it's kind of very
different.
But, um, we want to be veryapproachable and if anybody
needs help, whether it's school,field, hockey, like anything,
(11:41):
to come and approach us, and wefeel like if the players are
more comfortable with us, it'llbe easier to lead them because
they'll have trust andconfidence in us and support
them too.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
If you all had to choose one motto or one mantra
for this next season, what wouldit be?
Speaker 4 (12:01):
so every year, we always have a word that our team
uh agrees that we like tomanifest upon.
This year, we chose united.
Um, and it's not just a word tous, it's basically what we want
and how we want other people tosee us.
Um, it's a way to encourageourselves and also push
ourselves.
Um, like last year it wastogether, the year before it was
(12:25):
no regrets, and it's like puton back of our shirts and we
wear those shirts almost likeevery week.
Oh, that's cool.
It's just to really push us andto really make that word true.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
Yeah, that goes along with what you were saying about
being a family and being oneunit, and being able to lead the
team.
Let's talk about upcomingmatchups, so what do you
envision the season looking like?
What games do you think aregoing to be the biggest
challenges, and which ones areyou most looking forward to?
Um?
Speaker 3 (12:51):
going back from, like our freshman even before.
We've always had a hand um agood amount of teams that
they're always a good game like,no matter what year.
And we're really lookingforward to play against Sacred
Heart Academy, because last yearis our breast cancer game, so
everyone was all decked out inpink.
It was so much fun.
But every time we play them,both teams always bring it.
(13:12):
It's so much fun because thefans' energy is high, the
sidelines everyone's screaming.
It's a really fun environmentto be in.
And then for our in-conferencegame, old Stabrook is going to
be a good matchup because thepast two years we met them in
the Shoreline Championship andthose were very high-intensity
(13:33):
games.
It's just fun to play against ateam that just is good and is
just wanting to beat us Helpsbring it to the next level for
those games.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Yeah, bring it definitely.
What do you guys think aregoing to be the biggest
challenge or the ones you'remost excited for?
Speaker 4 (13:46):
Yeah, I think the most challenging one will
definitely be Stonington.
We played against them twice aregular season um, it was 1-0,
it was actually last quarter um.
(14:15):
And then we went against themduring states and we beat them.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
So it's just constant like back and forth with them
and you know, it's justrepeating for us so and it's not
like a bad rivalry, it's likewe give a competition for each
other, so it's an exciting gameto go to it's always fun to play
, and I'm sure yeah so, coachI'm sorry, jada, if you don't
mind you know what I've alsolearned and you know they
(14:42):
highlighted a couple ofdifferent schools you have to
always want to try to beat thatschool out there, and I think
every single school in theshoreline is going to be
extremely competitive and justto approach it each and every
game, with that same level ofenergy from our fans, from our
(15:04):
team, the unity and everythingelse.
And again the shout-out to PatsyComartia, a great coach at Adam
Killingworth.
We always had that rivalry too,and I think that's what has
been established over some ofthe other coaches and student
body, because they see eachother during the summer at
different leagues and differentactivities.
(15:26):
So we'll be the team, but Iknow that this year the entire
shoreline will be very, verycompetitive.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
Sounds like it's going to be an exciting season.
So what do you think theseextremely successful past
seasons not only say about thetype of coach you are, but the
type of athletes on your team?
Speaker 2 (15:44):
They bring it all.
They are committed, they'rehardworking Again, they are
doing their academics, they'redoing their social life, they're
giving back to the community,they're involved with student
council, blood drives, anythingand everything in the school.
The administration looks to thefield hockey team so many times
because they are usually theteam who is willing to help out
(16:10):
in any situation in the school.
That's the kind of young womanthat I would like to have
represent our team.
So they come with a whole bunch.
They come with their academics,they come with their own values
at home.
Their work ethic is impeccableand I think it's all the
different components that makethem the strong team that they
(16:33):
are.
Just like Sam said, ifsomebody's struggling, they'll
help one another out, which alsomeans if some players probably
don't want to play for our fieldhockey team because I am strict
.
I am that disciplinarian.
We do have curfew before asaturday morning game.
I have academic standards and,jada, we are trying to keep the
(16:58):
substance abuse down, to keepthe suicide, to talk about these
things.
We're not one of those teamsthat doesn't address that.
We had a lengthy discussionyesterday because it needs to be
out there.
We're not one to say thathappens over there.
It can happen here and we needto work together for those
feelings and express those.
(17:19):
But we are as student.
Athletes and academics do comefirst, but we're there to the
whole body physically, mentallyand socially those strict values
and those standards help bringthe best out, though, and
students and teams.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
I'm hoping so, so I know you all had a perfect
season in 2023, but, headinginto this next season, are there
any areas of improvement thatyou're looking to focus on?
Are you going to?
Speaker 3 (17:44):
change anything.
Well, we did graduate seven.
They were really good seniorslast year.
So we're just looking to fillthose holes.
But I feel like our team thisyear, we're just so united and
we're so together that everybodywill be supportive, no matter
who gets what spot, who getswhere, and we're just we're
going to try to get back towhere we were last year.
(18:04):
I mean, every team we have atarget on our back and we've had
a target on our back.
So every team they take NorthBamford down, but that's not
going to stop us from going hardand going back to where we were
.
Speaker 1 (18:16):
So yes, and I know you just mentioned you lost a
lot of senior players.
What have you been doingthroughout the summer or heading
into the next season to helpmesh the new players into the
roles of veteran players?
Speaker 4 (18:26):
so we've been recently trying to enhance the
team chemistry.
We've been going out for icecream a lot, yeah, and even
though we're all about health,it's fine to take some sweet
treats, but it's just really toget them together and feel
comfortable with us, because, asan underclassman, I understand
that they probably are veryintimidated and really scared.
(18:48):
Um, some didn't even touch thevarsity field.
Which.
Who will be touching thevarsity field?
Which will be touching thevarsity field, even if they
don't know it yet?
Um, you know, but it alsopushes them.
It pushes them to become betterand want that spot, and they
also they do understand thatit's not just going to be given
um, and how there is 14sophomores to senior or to
(19:10):
freshmen who are going to wantthose seven spots that left last
year, um, and so we basicallyhave been letting them know that
we are here to help them and wegive them advice as much as we
can, um, and we make sure we alldo the right thing you have to
put in that hard work to earnthose spots.
Speaker 1 (19:29):
It's's a highly competitive spot, especially on
state championship teams.
So what do you all think arethe main keys to success for
athletes, coaches and teams?
Speaker 4 (19:39):
I say the main key to success is really just talking
to each other and letting eachother know and help each other
out.
It's also really to put forathletes.
You have to put those extraworks in, like even if you're
getting five extra hits at thegoal five minutes before you're
(19:59):
stretching for practice, itreally just benefits for people
and coaches to emphasize thatand to encourage your players to
want to become better in a way.
Speaker 3 (20:10):
Yeah, and then we also talk about like dedication
and, like we said before, takingcare of our bodies, everything
like that.
It all just plays into one bigrole like dedication, commitment
, community, family.
Speaker 1 (20:22):
Yes, makes you a better team.
Yes, so this was the firstsummer where CIAC implemented
the rule to practice now twodays a week for two hours per
session, prior to your season.
So how do you think that willhelp benefit your team and other
teams for the upcoming season?
Speaker 4 (20:37):
Basically, it gave a preview to the underclassmen of
the commitment they are going tobe needing for the season,
especially this season with alot of players lost.
It's giving them an opportunityto work on things they probably
needed to work on last year.
It's extra work and you know,and it shows the players who
(20:58):
really want it because theycould have quit by now.
You know, you know, as they'replaying during summer, a lot of
people are scared.
Yeah, Having to put like go topractice instead of partying,
maybe you know.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
So it just really shows, uh, the strength they
have within themselves and likeskills wise it helped us because
we got more touched on the ball.
But also, um noon reallyemphasizes family.
So we do sister groups and eachsenior chooses like three, four
or five other girls to have intheir group and they do
everything together.
We'll split up into drillstogether.
(21:31):
So, um, having more timetogether in the summer kind of
helped us see.
Oh, like I'm, I got closer withthis but I never thought I
would be close with this personand like that during season will
just bring us together more asa team.
So, like I could, I became bestfriends with a freshman and I
was like I don't know, I'm nevergoing to be friends with
(21:52):
freshmen, but this is just goingto bring us closer as a family
and it'll really help with helpand support and all that kind of
stuff.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
Yeah, that's awesome.
Those sister groups sound fun.
Yeah, they're really fun, it'sa nice way to get to know each
other, because when you're inschool, like you said, seniors
are separated sometimes from theunderclassmen, so you help to
build those relationships.
Yeah, you're absolutely right.
Speaker 2 (22:11):
For instance, tomorrow is the first day of the
school year and we already knowthese seniors will get together
with all the underclassmen.
What are you wearing?
That's an important part whatkind of sneakers, what kind of
shirt, what kind of whatever?
And they know each other'sschedule so that they could see
each other.
You know, help helping theunderclassmen with a new
building or a new schedule or anew wherever they have to go.
(22:33):
And it's remarkable, I thinkthey would recall their freshman
year and just realize, oh, mygoodness, a senior said hi to me
.
And that's an important part,just to feel that comfort.
Speaker 1 (22:44):
Yeah, it helps the underclassmen make that
adjustment, that transition intohigh school, so it makes them
feel comfortable, which is nice.
I think that's a great part ofthe new role.
So now we're going to head intosome rapid questions.
These are a surprise, so youjust answer quick whatever comes
to your mind.
That's it All, right, ready,okay, lily pregame routine or
superstition.
Speaker 3 (23:03):
I have to put my right sock on before my left, I
have to eat cucumbers with Saltand I have to listen to the
Rocky theme song before everysingle game.
Speaker 1 (23:11):
Wow, in that order.
Yes, okay In that order.
That is specific.
I like that, okay, sam favoriteprofessional athlete.
Speaker 4 (23:18):
Oh, I'm going to have to go with a guy.
He's Tom Brady.
Speaker 3 (23:22):
Okay, yes, I've always been a Patriots girl.
Speaker 4 (23:24):
I think it's kind of cool how far and long he went
with his profession and eventhough when people told him to
quit, he did not.
So that's who I look up to hedoes some great motivational
speeches.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
I watched one the other day coach favorite field
to play at well, I have to sayit's certainly not ours and I'm
sorry to say that publicly.
But we have a field issue atour somewhat of perhaps what you
could relate to, I would haveto say, wethersfield High School
(23:55):
.
It's a state championship fieldand that's our goal to be able
to play at that facility and itwould be wonderful.
But I also have to give ashout-out.
There's a company in towncalled the Sportsplex.
They have an indoor dome.
They have four outdoorfacilities.
Without this company we wouldnot be the team that we are.
(24:16):
It gives us an opportunity towork on our skills develop,
because our grass field isreally not conducive to
developing the level of skillsthat this team has brought up.
So without the Sportsplex, yeah, I'm sure our administration
will hate me for this, but Ihave to be honest.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
Sportsplex will like it.
You gave them a nice shout-out.
Okay, Lily grass or turf, Turf,Turf.
Speaker 4 (24:40):
Sam favorite sports memory, Ooh favorite sports
memory For field hockey it woulddefinitely be during middle
school, where we wouldcontinuously run a lot, but it
would also make us laugh becausewe got to giggle around and
listen to music.
That's what I love the most formiddle school.
Speaker 1 (24:59):
Those are the fun memories, coach, most memorable
season.
Speaker 2 (25:04):
My attitude is always the one that I'm in because it
is the most important.
I live in the moment.
I learned from the past.
I learned from yesterday.
It's the expression if you leanon yesterday, one eye on
yesterday, one eye on tomorrow,you're a blurred vision of
what's going on today.
So I do believe, and I have tolook for the future and I have
(25:25):
to learn from my past, but I amvery much into today.
What can I do to make today alittle bit better?
I love life.
I get up, I'm pretty psychedabout doing something.
I like doing things.
So, yeah, I like today, I lovetoday.
That's beautiful.
Speaker 1 (25:40):
That's a great outlook to have.
Okay, Lily assists or goalsAssists.
Good answer, Coach.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
best piece of advice you've ever received, the best
piece of advice is to be moreopen-minded, learn from others,
be humble, be respectful.
It's a combination, it's notjust one word.
I've learned so much fromothers just to bring it in and
realize life is about all of us.
(26:10):
It's not an I.
There's no I in team.
It's all that.
The cliches are out there, butit's something we believe in and
I love the unity.
So that's me for this year,that's today and it's unity.
Speaker 1 (26:22):
That's great.
Yeah, it's bigger than just theindividual, the bigger purpose.
Yes, tara Lily, favorite sportother than field hockey?
Indoor track, indoor track Ithought you were going to say
softball, I just heard no, youcommitted to Lander University
for field hockey right, I did.
Speaker 2 (26:35):
yes, congratulations.
Speaker 4 (26:45):
That's so exciting.
Thank you, no, it's not.
Speaker 1 (26:46):
Sam, what is one thing that you can't live
without?
Oh, my dogs.
Um, I just love them all thetime.
Speaker 2 (26:48):
Coach favorite thing about being a coach the
opportunity to grow and learndifferent music.
I should have had better kickson than this.
Learning and trying to adaptevery year and every moment is
no.
So it's, it's living in themoment.
I love it, loving it, loving it, and I believe in that one to
two learning.
So I think they'll also tell meif I don't understand something
(27:10):
on the computer or the video orwhatever I want to learn.
I don't want always somebody todo it for me, I want to learn
how to do it adapt with thechanging times.
Speaker 1 (27:19):
Definitely, those are great answers.
So lastly, on the gloriouspodcast, we always like to wrap
up by asking our guests what doyou think the purpose of high
school sports is?
Speaker 3 (27:28):
um, I think the purpose of high school sports it
kind of is a guide to what youwant to do in the future.
Like, um, before I came to highschool, I did not really take
care of my body, like I didn'teat healthy.
I barely worked out and I gotto Coach Newton's team and I was
like, wow, I can't eatMcDonald's every Friday and
Saturday.
I can't do this, I can't dothat.
(27:51):
So I think, like the purpose ofit is to help me, when I get
older, have good habits andteach people, especially if,
because I want to be like you,like a podcast teach people,
especially if, because I want to, I want to be like you, like a
podcast, oh really, um yeah, andkind of just get the word out
to people that you need to takecare of yourself.
And high school sports reallyshows how to take care of
yourself, teaches you somestructure yeah and look, you got
(28:12):
good practice with the podcast.
Speaker 1 (28:15):
Yeah, that was my bad um it's also to have fun.
Speaker 4 (28:18):
Um, you know people join sports to like they feel
like it has to be thiscommitment and like you can't
have fun.
Um, you know people join sportsto like they feel like it has
to be this commitment and likeyou can't have fun at all and
it's just you have to take it soseriously.
But at the end of the day, likeyou will catch us dancing,
we'll have we always have thespeaker and we'll always play
the music.
It's it, and we'll play fun andgames.
Like we have handball that, umnoon, will let us play for as a
(28:38):
warm-up instead of stretching.
Um, and it's.
People might think that's crazy, but it's just, it's just fun.
You know you don't want peopleto quit, you want people to
memorize memory.
Oh, my goodness, I rememberthese fun moments you had in
high school.
It's not gonna last that long.
Speaker 1 (28:56):
Yeah, those, those are the, the fun moments that
you remember years later.
Yeah so, coach, what do youthink the purpose is?
Speaker 2 (29:02):
you have to have fun.
If you're not having fun, getout of here negative energy and
make no, no, no, don't, don'tsteal it.
So if you have that bad day orwhatever, just take a break.
It's okay to get regenerate,regenerated and get that energy
going.
But these girls will tell youeach of the years we had, we
didn't win state championships,we didn't win league
championships, we but we alwayscompeted.
(29:23):
We always had a team that lovedand respect one another.
We had our alumni games fromplayers from mid-70s as well as
a graduate from this past yearand just to see them out there
competing like no, unbelievablywell.
And, yes, the alumni beat usbecause of their desire just to
try a little bit more.
(29:43):
But that's what it's about.
You want to have fun, you wantto have a good memory.
You didn't always get an A-plusin every academic subject, but
you hopefully had a teacher or aclass that taught you some
important information, but alsothe camaraderie that you had
with some of your classmates,some of those classes that were
(30:05):
too easy.
You didn't love it because itwasn't useful for you, but just
look at podcasts, look at theway that the new media it's just
amazing.
And, speaking of media.
I love it, but get rid of someof it.
They know that they're notsupposed to be on the phone all
the time.
It's breaking us away.
(30:26):
We're not having thecommunication skills like
looking one another in the eyeor being able to communicate,
and I'm very proud of all of ourteam because we do work on
social skills, not social media,because that's wonderful, but
it shouldn't just be the allanswer.
You need to work together ashuman beings with human beings
(30:49):
no, I agree, that's what'simportant.
Speaker 1 (30:50):
Especially when you're in the workforce, you
need to be able to have thoseprofessional skills and be able
to talk to people.
It's a, I guess, thegenerational difference.
We grew up on technology, sowe're used to being dialed in,
but you got to be able to stepback and make those connections.
What you did throughout fieldhockey you made all the alumni
games.
That sounds like fun.
You get to know people and thenyou have it throughout life.
So that's what it's all about,thank you.
(31:11):
So thank you so much forjoining me on the podcast.
It was a great talk.
You guys did awesome and I wishyou the best of luck in this
upcoming season and I hopeyou're able to come out with
another championship title.
Thank you, we embrace you.
Speaker 2 (31:22):
Thank you very much for this opportunity and again a
shout out to the other mostimportant person in the room
here, christy Christy the camerawoman.
Yes, thank you and thank you tothe CIAC and because we know,
obviously it's an academic andathletic and the cooperation
with the CAS and CAD and theHigh School Coach Association,
(31:44):
and I know that you are acollaborative group and I do
believe in it and you know thatI'm involved with other things.
It's not about me, but I lovewhat you do to all sports, all
the arts that you'reencompassing, the e-games, the
robotics.
It's not just about sports forthe CIC.
And I love it and I want tothank you and your whole staff
(32:07):
for going in this new direction.
So huge kudos to you.
Speaker 1 (32:12):
Thank you so much.
That's good to hear from youand I wish you the best, thank
you, thank you.
Thank you, I appreciate it.
Welcome to CIAC's Glory Days podcast.
I'm your host, jada Maribel,and today I'm joined by the 2023
CIAC Class S Girls Field HockeyChampions North Brantford High
School.
I am joined by legendary headcoach Babby Noon, senior Sam
Ferraro and senior captain LilyArdito.
Thanks so much for joining meon the podcast today.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
We're delighted that you have invited us and having
this opportunity.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
Thank you, I'm very excited to share your story.
So North Bamford has beenchampions for three years in a
row.
Now, what an accomplishmentthat is.
What strategy do you think ledto those three back-to-back
state championships?
Speaker 3 (00:37):
I mean it was really teamwork and gelling together
and working on things thatdidn't really work in past years
and making sure that they workthat like every year.
And it was it really came downto the teamwork aspect and kind
of just working together andmaking sure we gel together and
working on yeah, just helpingeach other and supporting each
other.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
So that's what really went into making that perfect
season.
You guys were 22 and all lastyear.
Yeah, that's great.
So it was that teamwork thatreally helped.
Yeah, so, as the currentreigning class S champions, if
you had to share a piece ofadvice to fellow athletes and
fellow coaches, what would it be?
Speaker 4 (01:11):
I would say put in those extra hours as athletes.
Obviously practice might belike two to three hours, but
putting that extra hour in willhelp you big time.
And for coaches, I feel likealways making sure that team is
united and together, Like youdon't want any drama or any
(01:32):
rivalry between your team.
It will break you guys apart.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Yes, absolutely so, Coach Noon.
You are a legendary fieldhockey coach earning many high
honors throughout your career,most recently earning a spot in
the National Field HockeyCoaches Association Hall of Fame
.
Congratulations, that's soexciting.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Thank you.
I'm honored and wouldn't havehappened without some of our
coaches putting together some ofthe statistics and everything
else.
So a shout out.
And that's what it's about yousurround yourself with
excellence as teammates, asparents, as the community and
coworkers.
We have an unbelievable staff,trust me.
It's not one person.
(02:08):
We have six coaches out there,including Kathy Galdenzi, cheryl
Torino, yvonne Maliki-Boltman,lori Connelly, sabrina Lemaire,
and that we're all togethertrying to mold our team and work
together.
We all have differentpersonalities, but it's all
(02:30):
because of everyone's input andtheir student athletes
willingness to listen to each ofus, what we can contribute.
So it's a team, it's a familyand that's our whole goal.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
So, besides that excellent support staff, what
else do you think has made yousuch an impactful coach?
Speaker 2 (02:46):
I just believe when I was a student athlete yes, a
lot of years ago, but I stillmaintain the same things.
It's that discipline, it's thework ethic and if you believe in
it, you just keep reinforcingit.
And students like Sam and Lilyand her four other awesome
seniors really understand theimportance of that unity.
(03:07):
They talk about how to betogether and the extra hard work
.
It should pay off.
It doesn't always, because youhave a little bit of luck in
there, but we believe in all ofour work as a family, as a unity
and as a group working togetherjust like a family, as a unity
and as a group working togetherjust like a family does.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
So besides, that family aspect?
What other key values do youtry to instill within your
program?
Speaker 2 (03:32):
They can probably help me out.
Honestly, I do instillacademics.
I believe in the commitment,the C's, commitment character to
be honest and to be forthright,giving back to the community.
And you know, it's more thanjust playing, feel like, it's
more than a stick and a ball.
(03:53):
It's whatever sport or activityyou're involved with, you have
to have some passion, you haveto have some desire, you have to
have fun, you have to reallylearn to work together.
So those are the things thatmake it together.
But it is because of the family.
Like a family works togetherand then a family has some
(04:13):
disagreements, a family has tolearn to work through these
other obstacles.
It's not always just nice andeasy, and that's okay.
Families work through it.
We have unconditional lovewithin our ranks as student
athletes, with their freshman,sophomore, junior, senior and
the coaching staff.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
So oh, that's beautiful.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
It's bigger than sport, much, much bigger sport
is just the means to get to thebigger picture.
My goal is not to make themolympians.
My goal is to help to developthem with their parents, with
the community, with the school,and make them great young women,
proud of themselves and beingable to accomplish anything.
Okay.
Speaker 1 (05:01):
That's a great coaching values you're
instilling, because I feel likea lot of sports, sometimes you
miss out on that and it's moreabout making them to a
well-rounded individual thanjust a great athlete.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
So those are life skills you're teaching.
Speaker 1 (05:07):
That's great.
Speaker 2 (05:08):
Thanks, jada.
That is our important goal andI'm hoping Sam and Lily and
their other seniors I have togive a shout-out.
Do you want to shout-out yourseniors?
Speaker 3 (05:18):
Sure, we have four other amazing seniors Olivia
Schmidt, joanna Lamott, rileyCole and Daytona Kaminsky.
They are I don't even havewords like, they're amazing,
like, and they're we're allreally close to, they're all
really good friends, they're allamazing, amazing people and
amazing players too.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
You all seem like a close-knit bunch, which is very
nice.
Yeah, we're all friends.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
Yeah, it's nice, we all grew up with each other
since middle school.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
Really, have you been playing field hockey together
for a long time?
Speaker 4 (05:44):
Yes, all six seniors, including us two.
We've all been playing sincesixth grade on the same team,
and so we've been througheverything together at this
point.
Yeah, that really helps createthat bond.
Yeah, it does.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
So my last question for about your coaching career
is how has your coaching stoodthe test of time?
Because you began in the 1970sand I can imagine it's very
different coaching athletes thanit is now in 2024.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
The times are changing.
The analogy I said look at yourphone right now and it's
different.
It's antiquated after one yearand I don't care if you're an
Android or iPhone.
You have to make those changes.
But my core beliefs have notchanged.
I'm still in it.
Poor beliefs have not changed.
I'm still in it.
I would rather a young ladylearn from their mistakes and
(06:28):
become a stronger human beingrather than cheat or lie or lose
a game.
Because we can lose, it's okay,but we cannot lose the lesson.
Most of the things we learn inlife, wherever we're at, it's
because we've learned it,sometimes the hard way, and I'm
an advocate of that.
I learned I'm a better coachtoday not because I'm a good
(06:51):
coach, because I've made so manymistakes over my career and I
share them.
I share them all.
The time I goofed, three yearsago, I goofed.
I goofed with our coaches.
All of our coaches are formerstudent athletes at North
Brantford too, which is, I think, a wonderful thing, and one
from each decade, but we won'tgo there.
Needless to say, that's what Iwant To me, the difference
(07:14):
between decades ago and today.
I'm still teaching the typicalskills and drills, et cetera.
Even though I have changed theconcepts and everything else,
it's still the bigger picturethat I'm very, very adamant in
my heart.
I want it to be.
You're the next generation.
I'm doing this.
I get my energy from them.
(07:35):
I don't bring energy.
I can't wait because I can'twait to see them and I can't
wait to see our two freshmen.
And we have 14 sophomores andyou know our awesome junior
class just a small group,because we've got 25 on our team
.
Each person has a role.
They are all welcome, they allcontribute.
(07:57):
It's not just a senior dominant, it's not a coach dominant,
it's a team and it is part ofthe we.
Speaker 1 (08:04):
It is we, you're all together yes, the
accomplishments out.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
There sounds like you've gained some really great
wisdom throughout all of your soum made a lot of mistakes
that's how you gain the wisdom Itry to share them with um
lessons that we've learned, somehard ones and some that we can
keep growing we're learning fromexample.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
That's the best way to teach right?
So, lily and Sam, you are boththree-sport athletes.
Lily, you are on the indoortrack team as well as softball,
and Sam you are on the indoortrack team as well as the girls'
lacrosse team.
So what do you find is the bestway to balance your education
with a demanding schedule of?
Speaker 4 (08:37):
athletics, first thing I do is always get my
homework done first.
That's a big priority of mine.
Either it's before practice,before we start practicing, or
if it's after, right away when Iget home and another advice I
also would like to give peopleis don't be afraid to ask for
help.
Um, and a big part of our teamis that we always make sure is
(08:57):
that, um, as upperclassmen, wehelp the underclassmen when with
classes we probably alreadytook, and um, you know, we
always, always are there tosupport each other.
So don't be afraid to ask forhelp.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
There's always somebody there for you yeah, I
mean, don't be afraid to ask forhelp.
Um, coach noon reallyemphasizes academics, academics,
academics all the time.
So if you're struggling in aclass, go up to her, go up to
any of the seniors and you'relike I'm really struggling and
she will be.
She will say go ask the teacherfor help.
So I feel like the team kind ofsurrounds the academics really
(09:34):
well.
So that makes it easier to askfor help and easier to get
everything done, especially withour busy schedule.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
Yes, one of our main focuses here at CIAC is
education-based athletics, sothose are two great ways to help
find that balance, because itcould be hard.
It's very demanding withpracticing games every night, so
it's always important to puteducation first.
Speaker 2 (09:51):
Jade, if I could interject, and I'm appreciative
of what Sam and Lily said.
We're not phonies about this.
They have a commitment asstudent-athletes.
Their academics come first.
So if they miss a practice or agame, that's okay.
If they need extra help a tutorit's true, samuel will say
(10:13):
we'll help to tutor them.
And if they need anythingacademically, and the result is
I think our students take theiracademics much more seriously
during the season and they dowell.
They set the tone as freshmen.
They see the support.
I don't just talk aboutsomething.
I like to try to be about thatand it's not just an expression.
I do believe in that.
So if you're struggling, sam isright, we'll get you somebody.
(10:36):
Even off the team, we'll helpyou out, no matter what.
And the pride is at the end ofthe year.
At the end of the markingperiod, we usually have 95.
We always have one person who'sjust didn't make honors or high
honors.
That's how high our academic is, similar to her hk uh track
(10:56):
team.
I'm sure, yeah, I'm sure shootout, shoot a little.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
Uh.
Shout out to chrissy behind thecamera in her hk track team.
Yes, it's very important to putthat first because that helps
you whether it's college or theworkforce after.
It helps make you well-rounded,not just with athletics, but
you have that education behindit.
Heading to this new school yearand fall season, how will you
both help to lead the team asseniors?
I know you've mentioned somedifferent ways.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
Well, first of all, we want to be very approachable
because we had, um, what was theteam last year?
Like 35, 36 players, and itkind of was like um, the
freshmen here, sophomores here,juniors it's kind of very
different.
But, um, we want to be veryapproachable and if anybody
needs help, whether it's school,field, hockey, like anything,
(11:41):
to come and approach us, and wefeel like if the players are
more comfortable with us, it'llbe easier to lead them because
they'll have trust andconfidence in us and support
them too.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
If you all had to choose one motto or one mantra
for this next season, what wouldit be?
Speaker 4 (12:01):
so every year, we always have a word that our team
uh agrees that we like tomanifest upon.
This year, we chose united.
Um, and it's not just a word tous, it's basically what we want
and how we want other people tosee us.
Um, it's a way to encourageourselves and also push
ourselves.
Um, like last year it wastogether, the year before it was
(12:25):
no regrets, and it's like puton back of our shirts and we
wear those shirts almost likeevery week.
Oh, that's cool.
It's just to really push us andto really make that word true.
Speaker 1 (12:36):
Yeah, that goes along with what you were saying about
being a family and being oneunit, and being able to lead the
team.
Let's talk about upcomingmatchups, so what do you
envision the season looking like?
What games do you think aregoing to be the biggest
challenges, and which ones areyou most looking forward to?
Um?
Speaker 3 (12:51):
going back from, like our freshman even before.
We've always had a hand um agood amount of teams that
they're always a good game like,no matter what year.
And we're really lookingforward to play against Sacred
Heart Academy, because last yearis our breast cancer game, so
everyone was all decked out inpink.
It was so much fun.
But every time we play them,both teams always bring it.
(13:12):
It's so much fun because thefans' energy is high, the
sidelines everyone's screaming.
It's a really fun environmentto be in.
And then for our in-conferencegame, old Stabrook is going to
be a good matchup because thepast two years we met them in
the Shoreline Championship andthose were very high-intensity
(13:33):
games.
It's just fun to play against ateam that just is good and is
just wanting to beat us Helpsbring it to the next level for
those games.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Yeah, bring it definitely.
What do you guys think aregoing to be the biggest
challenge or the ones you'remost excited for?
Speaker 4 (13:46):
Yeah, I think the most challenging one will
definitely be Stonington.
We played against them twice aregular season um, it was 1-0,
it was actually last quarter um.
(14:15):
And then we went against themduring states and we beat them.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
So it's just constant like back and forth with them
and you know, it's justrepeating for us so and it's not
like a bad rivalry, it's likewe give a competition for each
other, so it's an exciting gameto go to it's always fun to play
, and I'm sure yeah so, coachI'm sorry, jada, if you don't
mind you know what I've alsolearned and you know they
(14:42):
highlighted a couple ofdifferent schools you have to
always want to try to beat thatschool out there, and I think
every single school in theshoreline is going to be
extremely competitive and justto approach it each and every
game, with that same level ofenergy from our fans, from our
(15:04):
team, the unity and everythingelse.
And again the shout-out to PatsyComartia, a great coach at Adam
Killingworth.
We always had that rivalry too,and I think that's what has
been established over some ofthe other coaches and student
body, because they see eachother during the summer at
different leagues and differentactivities.
(15:26):
So we'll be the team, but Iknow that this year the entire
shoreline will be very, verycompetitive.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
Sounds like it's going to be an exciting season.
So what do you think theseextremely successful past
seasons not only say about thetype of coach you are, but the
type of athletes on your team?
Speaker 2 (15:44):
They bring it all.
They are committed, they'rehardworking Again, they are
doing their academics, they'redoing their social life, they're
giving back to the community,they're involved with student
council, blood drives, anythingand everything in the school.
The administration looks to thefield hockey team so many times
because they are usually theteam who is willing to help out
(16:10):
in any situation in the school.
That's the kind of young womanthat I would like to have
represent our team.
So they come with a whole bunch.
They come with their academics,they come with their own values
at home.
Their work ethic is impeccableand I think it's all the
different components that makethem the strong team that they
(16:33):
are.
Just like Sam said, ifsomebody's struggling, they'll
help one another out, which alsomeans if some players probably
don't want to play for our fieldhockey team because I am strict
.
I am that disciplinarian.
We do have curfew before asaturday morning game.
I have academic standards and,jada, we are trying to keep the
(16:58):
substance abuse down, to keepthe suicide, to talk about these
things.
We're not one of those teamsthat doesn't address that.
We had a lengthy discussionyesterday because it needs to be
out there.
We're not one to say thathappens over there.
It can happen here and we needto work together for those
feelings and express those.
(17:19):
But we are as student.
Athletes and academics do comefirst, but we're there to the
whole body physically, mentallyand socially those strict values
and those standards help bringthe best out, though, and
students and teams.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
I'm hoping so, so I know you all had a perfect
season in 2023, but, headinginto this next season, are there
any areas of improvement thatyou're looking to focus on?
Are you going to?
Speaker 3 (17:44):
change anything.
Well, we did graduate seven.
They were really good seniorslast year.
So we're just looking to fillthose holes.
But I feel like our team thisyear, we're just so united and
we're so together that everybodywill be supportive, no matter
who gets what spot, who getswhere, and we're just we're
going to try to get back towhere we were last year.
(18:04):
I mean, every team we have atarget on our back and we've had
a target on our back.
So every team they take NorthBamford down, but that's not
going to stop us from going hardand going back to where we were
.
Speaker 1 (18:16):
So yes, and I know you just mentioned you lost a
lot of senior players.
What have you been doingthroughout the summer or heading
into the next season to helpmesh the new players into the
roles of veteran players?
Speaker 4 (18:26):
so we've been recently trying to enhance the
team chemistry.
We've been going out for icecream a lot, yeah, and even
though we're all about health,it's fine to take some sweet
treats, but it's just really toget them together and feel
comfortable with us, because, asan underclassman, I understand
that they probably are veryintimidated and really scared.
(18:48):
Um, some didn't even touch thevarsity field.
Which.
Who will be touching thevarsity field?
Which will be touching thevarsity field, even if they
don't know it yet?
Um, you know, but it alsopushes them.
It pushes them to become betterand want that spot, and they
also they do understand thatit's not just going to be given
um, and how there is 14sophomores to senior or to
(19:10):
freshmen who are going to wantthose seven spots that left last
year, um, and so we basicallyhave been letting them know that
we are here to help them and wegive them advice as much as we
can, um, and we make sure we alldo the right thing you have to
put in that hard work to earnthose spots.
Speaker 1 (19:29):
It's's a highly competitive spot, especially on
state championship teams.
So what do you all think arethe main keys to success for
athletes, coaches and teams?
Speaker 4 (19:39):
I say the main key to success is really just talking
to each other and letting eachother know and help each other
out.
It's also really to put forathletes.
You have to put those extraworks in, like even if you're
getting five extra hits at thegoal five minutes before you're
(19:59):
stretching for practice, itreally just benefits for people
and coaches to emphasize thatand to encourage your players to
want to become better in a way.
Speaker 3 (20:10):
Yeah, and then we also talk about like dedication
and, like we said before, takingcare of our bodies, everything
like that.
It all just plays into one bigrole like dedication, commitment
, community, family.
Speaker 1 (20:22):
Yes, makes you a better team.
Yes, so this was the firstsummer where CIAC implemented
the rule to practice now twodays a week for two hours per
session, prior to your season.
So how do you think that willhelp benefit your team and other
teams for the upcoming season?
Speaker 4 (20:37):
Basically, it gave a preview to the underclassmen of
the commitment they are going tobe needing for the season,
especially this season with alot of players lost.
It's giving them an opportunityto work on things they probably
needed to work on last year.
It's extra work and you know,and it shows the players who
(20:58):
really want it because theycould have quit by now.
You know, you know, as they'replaying during summer, a lot of
people are scared.
Yeah, Having to put like go topractice instead of partying,
maybe you know.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
So it just really shows, uh, the strength they
have within themselves and likeskills wise it helped us because
we got more touched on the ball.
But also, um noon reallyemphasizes family.
So we do sister groups and eachsenior chooses like three, four
or five other girls to have intheir group and they do
everything together.
We'll split up into drillstogether.
(21:31):
So, um, having more timetogether in the summer kind of
helped us see.
Oh, like I'm, I got closer withthis but I never thought I
would be close with this personand like that during season will
just bring us together more asa team.
So, like I could, I became bestfriends with a freshman and I
was like I don't know, I'm nevergoing to be friends with
(21:52):
freshmen, but this is just goingto bring us closer as a family
and it'll really help with helpand support and all that kind of
stuff.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
Yeah, that's awesome.
Those sister groups sound fun.
Yeah, they're really fun, it'sa nice way to get to know each
other, because when you're inschool, like you said, seniors
are separated sometimes from theunderclassmen, so you help to
build those relationships.
Yeah, you're absolutely right.
Speaker 2 (22:11):
For instance, tomorrow is the first day of the
school year and we already knowthese seniors will get together
with all the underclassmen.
What are you wearing?
That's an important part whatkind of sneakers, what kind of
shirt, what kind of whatever?
And they know each other'sschedule so that they could see
each other.
You know, help helping theunderclassmen with a new
building or a new schedule or anew wherever they have to go.
(22:33):
And it's remarkable, I thinkthey would recall their freshman
year and just realize, oh, mygoodness, a senior said hi to me
.
And that's an important part,just to feel that comfort.
Speaker 1 (22:44):
Yeah, it helps the underclassmen make that
adjustment, that transition intohigh school, so it makes them
feel comfortable, which is nice.
I think that's a great part ofthe new role.
So now we're going to head intosome rapid questions.
These are a surprise, so youjust answer quick whatever comes
to your mind.
That's it All, right, ready,okay, lily pregame routine or
superstition.
Speaker 3 (23:03):
I have to put my right sock on before my left, I
have to eat cucumbers with Saltand I have to listen to the
Rocky theme song before everysingle game.
Speaker 1 (23:11):
Wow, in that order.
Yes, okay In that order.
That is specific.
I like that, okay, sam favoriteprofessional athlete.
Speaker 4 (23:18):
Oh, I'm going to have to go with a guy.
He's Tom Brady.
Speaker 3 (23:22):
Okay, yes, I've always been a Patriots girl.
Speaker 4 (23:24):
I think it's kind of cool how far and long he went
with his profession and eventhough when people told him to
quit, he did not.
So that's who I look up to hedoes some great motivational
speeches.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
I watched one the other day coach favorite field
to play at well, I have to sayit's certainly not ours and I'm
sorry to say that publicly.
But we have a field issue atour somewhat of perhaps what you
could relate to, I would haveto say, wethersfield High School
(23:55):
.
It's a state championship fieldand that's our goal to be able
to play at that facility and itwould be wonderful.
But I also have to give ashout-out.
There's a company in towncalled the Sportsplex.
They have an indoor dome.
They have four outdoorfacilities.
Without this company we wouldnot be the team that we are.
(24:16):
It gives us an opportunity towork on our skills develop,
because our grass field isreally not conducive to
developing the level of skillsthat this team has brought up.
So without the Sportsplex, yeah, I'm sure our administration
will hate me for this, but Ihave to be honest.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
Sportsplex will like it.
You gave them a nice shout-out.
Okay, Lily grass or turf, Turf,Turf.
Speaker 4 (24:40):
Sam favorite sports memory, Ooh favorite sports
memory For field hockey it woulddefinitely be during middle
school, where we wouldcontinuously run a lot, but it
would also make us laugh becausewe got to giggle around and
listen to music.
That's what I love the most formiddle school.
Speaker 1 (24:59):
Those are the fun memories, coach, most memorable
season.
Speaker 2 (25:04):
My attitude is always the one that I'm in because it
is the most important.
I live in the moment.
I learned from the past.
I learned from yesterday.
It's the expression if you leanon yesterday, one eye on
yesterday, one eye on tomorrow,you're a blurred vision of
what's going on today.
So I do believe, and I have tolook for the future and I have
(25:25):
to learn from my past, but I amvery much into today.
What can I do to make today alittle bit better?
I love life.
I get up, I'm pretty psychedabout doing something.
I like doing things.
So, yeah, I like today, I lovetoday.
That's beautiful.
Speaker 1 (25:40):
That's a great outlook to have.
Okay, Lily assists or goalsAssists.
Good answer, Coach.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
best piece of advice you've ever received, the best
piece of advice is to be moreopen-minded, learn from others,
be humble, be respectful.
It's a combination, it's notjust one word.
I've learned so much fromothers just to bring it in and
realize life is about all of us.
(26:10):
It's not an I.
There's no I in team.
It's all that.
The cliches are out there, butit's something we believe in and
I love the unity.
So that's me for this year,that's today and it's unity.
Speaker 1 (26:22):
That's great.
Yeah, it's bigger than just theindividual, the bigger purpose.
Yes, tara Lily, favorite sportother than field hockey?
Indoor track, indoor track Ithought you were going to say
softball, I just heard no, youcommitted to Lander University
for field hockey right, I did.
Speaker 2 (26:35):
yes, congratulations.
Speaker 4 (26:45):
That's so exciting.
Thank you, no, it's not.
Speaker 1 (26:46):
Sam, what is one thing that you can't live
without?
Oh, my dogs.
Um, I just love them all thetime.
Speaker 2 (26:48):
Coach favorite thing about being a coach the
opportunity to grow and learndifferent music.
I should have had better kickson than this.
Learning and trying to adaptevery year and every moment is
no.
So it's, it's living in themoment.
I love it, loving it, loving it, and I believe in that one to
two learning.
So I think they'll also tell meif I don't understand something
(27:10):
on the computer or the video orwhatever I want to learn.
I don't want always somebody todo it for me, I want to learn
how to do it adapt with thechanging times.
Speaker 1 (27:19):
Definitely, those are great answers.
So lastly, on the gloriouspodcast, we always like to wrap
up by asking our guests what doyou think the purpose of high
school sports is?
Speaker 3 (27:28):
um, I think the purpose of high school sports it
kind of is a guide to what youwant to do in the future.
Like, um, before I came to highschool, I did not really take
care of my body, like I didn'teat healthy.
I barely worked out and I gotto Coach Newton's team and I was
like, wow, I can't eatMcDonald's every Friday and
Saturday.
I can't do this, I can't dothat.
(27:51):
So I think, like the purpose ofit is to help me, when I get
older, have good habits andteach people, especially if,
because I want to be like you,like a podcast teach people,
especially if, because I want to, I want to be like you, like a
podcast, oh really, um yeah, andkind of just get the word out
to people that you need to takecare of yourself.
And high school sports reallyshows how to take care of
yourself, teaches you somestructure yeah and look, you got
(28:12):
good practice with the podcast.
Speaker 1 (28:15):
Yeah, that was my bad um it's also to have fun.
Speaker 4 (28:18):
Um, you know people join sports to like they feel
like it has to be thiscommitment and like you can't
have fun.
Um, you know people join sportsto like they feel like it has
to be this commitment and likeyou can't have fun at all and
it's just you have to take it soseriously.
But at the end of the day, likeyou will catch us dancing,
we'll have we always have thespeaker and we'll always play
the music.
It's it, and we'll play fun andgames.
Like we have handball that, umnoon, will let us play for as a
(28:38):
warm-up instead of stretching.
Um, and it's.
People might think that's crazy, but it's just, it's just fun.
You know you don't want peopleto quit, you want people to
memorize memory.
Oh, my goodness, I rememberthese fun moments you had in
high school.
It's not gonna last that long.
Speaker 1 (28:56):
Yeah, those, those are the, the fun moments that
you remember years later.
Yeah so, coach, what do youthink the purpose is?
Speaker 2 (29:02):
you have to have fun.
If you're not having fun, getout of here negative energy and
make no, no, no, don't, don'tsteal it.
So if you have that bad day orwhatever, just take a break.
It's okay to get regenerate,regenerated and get that energy
going.
But these girls will tell youeach of the years we had, we
didn't win state championships,we didn't win league
championships, we but we alwayscompeted.
(29:23):
We always had a team that lovedand respect one another.
We had our alumni games fromplayers from mid-70s as well as
a graduate from this past yearand just to see them out there
competing like no, unbelievablywell.
And, yes, the alumni beat usbecause of their desire just to
try a little bit more.
(29:43):
But that's what it's about.
You want to have fun, you wantto have a good memory.
You didn't always get an A-plusin every academic subject, but
you hopefully had a teacher or aclass that taught you some
important information, but alsothe camaraderie that you had
with some of your classmates,some of those classes that were
(30:05):
too easy.
You didn't love it because itwasn't useful for you, but just
look at podcasts, look at theway that the new media it's just
amazing.
And, speaking of media.
I love it, but get rid of someof it.
They know that they're notsupposed to be on the phone all
the time.
It's breaking us away.
(30:26):
We're not having thecommunication skills like
looking one another in the eyeor being able to communicate,
and I'm very proud of all of ourteam because we do work on
social skills, not social media,because that's wonderful, but
it shouldn't just be the allanswer.
You need to work together ashuman beings with human beings
(30:49):
no, I agree, that's what'simportant.
Speaker 1 (30:50):
Especially when you're in the workforce, you
need to be able to have thoseprofessional skills and be able
to talk to people.
It's a, I guess, thegenerational difference.
We grew up on technology, sowe're used to being dialed in,
but you got to be able to stepback and make those connections.
What you did throughout fieldhockey you made all the alumni
games.
That sounds like fun.
You get to know people and thenyou have it throughout life.
So that's what it's all about,thank you.
(31:11):
So thank you so much forjoining me on the podcast.
It was a great talk.
You guys did awesome and I wishyou the best of luck in this
upcoming season and I hopeyou're able to come out with
another championship title.
Thank you, we embrace you.
Speaker 2 (31:22):
Thank you very much for this opportunity and again a
shout out to the other mostimportant person in the room
here, christy Christy the camerawoman.
Yes, thank you and thank you tothe CIAC and because we know,
obviously it's an academic andathletic and the cooperation
with the CAS and CAD and theHigh School Coach Association,
(31:44):
and I know that you are acollaborative group and I do
believe in it and you know thatI'm involved with other things.
It's not about me, but I lovewhat you do to all sports, all
the arts that you'reencompassing, the e-games, the
robotics.
It's not just about sports forthe CIC.
And I love it and I want tothank you and your whole staff
(32:07):
for going in this new direction.
So huge kudos to you.
Speaker 1 (32:12):
Thank you so much.
That's good to hear from youand I wish you the best, thank
you, thank you.
Thank you, I appreciate it.
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