FLEX TIME 8 4 t h a n nFulaelx f tat i mh e eNra- so m en d i n n e r
Coach’s Advice: ‘Go All-In, Boys’ B y Mi c ha el K en ne dy ’99
“ If you go all-in, you have the chance to taste both glory and failure, and you’ll learn a ton about yourself in the process. I urge you to go all-in, boys.”
W
hen Paul Assaiante
similarities between life and sport,
Point in 1974, he didn’t
and encouraged his listeners to con-
need to look far afield
sider their definition of character.
for inspiration. Engraved just above the
“It’s about doing the right thing when nobody is watching,”
entrance to the gymnasium were
Assaiante said. “Make the right
the words of General Douglas
choices. If you deserve an F on the
MacArthur: “Upon the fields of
test, take the F.”
friendly strife are sown the seeds
For a man so accustomed to
01
that upon other fields, on other
success — at one point winning an
days, will bear the fruits of victory.”
unprecedented 252 consecutive
MacArthur’s message triggered something within Assaiante. To this day, four decades later, the cur-
Paul Assaiante Head Squash Coach, Trinity College
Assaiante alluded to many of the
began coaching at West
matches — his proudest moment didn’t come in celebration. “It was two years ago, after our
rent Trinity College men’s squash
National Championship loss to
coach hasn’t forgotten it.
Princeton,” he recalled. “I watched
02
“I quickly discovered that les-
every one of my players line up for
sons can be learned on the athletic
the awards ceremony. And they all
fields that will ensure success later
stood there in tears. I knew, on that
in life,” Assaiante said. “That’s
day, that they had gone all-in.
something that has driven me to stay in coaching for 40 years.” Brunswick welcomed the
“If you go all-in, you have the chance to taste both glory and failure, and you’ll learn a ton about
legendary coach — who has won 14
yourself in the process. I urge you
College Squash Association Nation-
to go all-in, boys.”
al Championships in his career — to
Assaiante’s spirited address
the Father–Son Dinner on March
capped a special night that in-
13 as the keynote speaker. More
cluded awards, captains’ speeches,
than 600 people — fathers, sons,
and a tribute to retiring Athletic
and coaches — gathered in Burke
Director Jeff Harris.
Field House for the 84th annual event. “If I could do anything tonight,
“During his time in the position, Jeff ensured that Brunswick athletics stood for the best in sportsman-
I’d call my father and tell him how
ship and character,” Headmaster
much I love him,” Assaiante said.
Tom Philip said. “That was always
“But I can’t. Don’t take that opportunity for granted while you still have it.”
03
his clear and overriding message.”
B
04 01 C aptain Mark Esposito ’14 recaps the
varsity hockey season. 02 M ax Kilberg ’17, Reid Robbins ’17,
and Alex Buckanavage ’17 await the traditional chicken parmigiana dinner. 03 R etiring Athletic Director Jeff Harris
acknowledges the crowd. 04 J ack Jones ’15 and Alex Russell ’16.
12
times of Brunswick • spring SPRING 2014