SPORTS TALK
Girls’ varsity ice hockey coach Martha Fenton ’83 employs a number of different skills to communicate with her team.
Something Really Special about that
Andover Brand of Coaching by Allen Lessels
Martha Fenton whistles while she works. Her trademark call brings her Phillips Academy hockey players hustling to the bench, knowing it’s time for the next wave of Big Blue skaters to take the ice. Fenton laughs. “It’s one of the more useful tools I have,” she says.
“Martha and all of our coaches just ooze enthusiasm for what they do,” says Mike Kuta, in his 30th year at Andover, his fifth as athletic director. “The teacher as coach model is one of the greatest strengths of the program.” Enthusiasm and passion abound whether Fenton ’83 is talking about her own days at Andover or about her players carrying on with team traditions.
Gil Talbot
Fenton cheers while she works, too. Cajoles and encourages as well and, just for a moment, joins senior Mariana Walsh in a dance routine to a little “Mambo No. 5” as the third period of a tense game against Westminster School is about to begin. impressive coaching tree—93 faculty members coach at least one sport. “To me, good coaching is about good teaching and connectivity with the kids,” Kuta says. “Our coaches have different personalities, but one thing they have in common is they all can connect with kids.” That connection is appreciated on both sides.
Enthusiasm and passion come, too, from football and basketball coach Leon Modeste as he discusses his quarter of a century at Andover; from Nancy Lang, a reluctant head coach at first, who has helped turn Andover into a cross-country running power; and from Kate Dolan, head coach of field hockey and lacrosse.
“My coaches know me beyond the athletic sphere,” says Kristen Faulkner ’11. “My crew coach has been my coach, my teacher, and my advisor. My swim coach doubled as my house counselor. When I perform well, or when I am tired, my coaches understand why. They seek to develop me not only as an athlete, but as a person, a student, a teammate, and a friend.”
They are just a handful of the folks, past and present, who contribute to Andover’s
Today’s mentors follow in a long line of legendary leaders at Andover.
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Andover | Spring 2011
Recent former coaches, hockey’s Chris Gurry’66 and baseball’s Andy Cline, were recipients of illustrious awards this winter. Gurry, who continues to teach history, was named winner of the 2011 John Mariucci Award by the American Hockey Coaches Association, recognizing his “spirit, dedication, and enthusiasm.” Cline, coach at Andover from 1986 to 2009 and a 300-game winner, was inducted into the Massachusetts Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. “These coaches are all difference makers,” Kuta says. It’s why they coach. “In general, teenagers don’t automatically trust adults,” says Lang, a math teacher and assistant dean of faculty who had little experience with competitive running when she arrived at Andover 18 years ago. “One of the amazing things about working in a boarding school is that you have many opportunities