MEET OUR COACHES

The following profiles showcase the depth of talent, experience, and expertise of our coaches in their respective sport and how they inspire our student athletes.

ELISA BROWN VARSITY GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH & N–5 PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER

Brown is very proud to have built a varsity basketball program from ground up at GCDS. “I coach with excitement continuously wanting to grow myself and asking my players to do the same. I want to cultivate lifelong learners.” She is equally proud that the players she has coached keep in touch with her and are already making an impact on the world.

Bio: She is the proud founder of iAME Hoops, a skills development program that works with top players. She attended William Paterson University where she played basketball for four years; she was a starter and awarded Rookie of the Year. She also played volleyball there for two years.

Tiger Pride is a space of integrity, resilience, and grit. It’s striving to be a compassionate leader, while respecting yourself and the greater community.”

Her favorite quote is “Be your best you.”

STEVE FEDER VARSITY BOYS TENNIS COACH & US MATH TEACHER

I am very energetic, enthusiastic, and positive. For me, when the right atmosphere is created tennis is a team sport just like basketball or football. I want our team to love winning for each other.”

Bio: Feder attended Haverford College where he played four years of singles tennis. He won his league singles title in high school and played #2 singles on Haverford College’s nationally ranked division three team. He is especially proud that he was part of Haverford’s team that broke a 53 year curse of losing to rival Swarthmore College.

Tiger Pride is about cultivating grit, team spirit, kindness, and perseverance. I want my players to be the ones who can find ways to excel and problem solve even when they aren’t playing their best. I also want them to care whether the team succeeds more than themselves.”

His favorite quote is by Arthur Ashe: “Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.”

STEPHANIE McDONALD VARSITY FIELD HOCKEY COACH & US DEAN OF STUDENT LIFE

I try to find a balance between pushing my students to reach their greatest potential, enjoying the sport, being creative, honing skill, taking chances, and creating great team chemistry. I want young people to leave my program believing in themselves even when they feel like the underdog.”

“I want my student-athletes to have a team-first mentality and constantly remind them that there is room at the top for everyone. That they are strong, capable, and can achieve any goal in front of them. To find their community and be themselves, to accept others, and to always look for ways to improve or grow. Finally, they need to know that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness but shows great strength.”

Bio: She’s the Upper School Dean of Student Life and a Seminar Teacher. She attended Franklin and Marshall College where she was a four-year member of the varsity field hockey team, captain, AllAmerican, and record holder, winning 18 straight games her senior year of college.

Tiger Pride, which I learned about from Sheila Drenckhahn, GCDS Physical Education teacher, who is retiring this year after 39 years with the school, means to take care of each other, respect the opponent, the official, and your- selves. Leave every place we go better than we found it. Work hard and compete in every game or practice. Accept and celebrate your teammates and their accomplishments.”

Her favorite coaching quote comes from Anne Parmenter, the field hockey coach at Trinity College: “Keep the kettle boiling.”