One Roar October 2025 Issue

SACRED HEART SACRED HEART GREENWICH GREENWICH ATHLETICS ATHLETICS

ONE ROAR ONE ROAR YOUR ALL-ACCESS YOUR ALL-ACCESS LOOK LOOK INSIDE INSIDE OUR OUR ATHLETICS ATHLETICS PROGRAMS PROGRAMS

OCTOBER 2025 OCTOBER 2025 | | ISSUE ISSUE 2 2

shgreenwich.org/athletics

ONE ROAR ONE ROAR

MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Celebrating a Season of Growth,

athletes faced challenges, both on

Grit, and Sisterhood

and off the field, with grit, teamwork, and an unshakable commitment to

This fall has been nothing short of

excellence. Whether overcoming

extraordinary for Sacred Heart

tough losses, injuries, or the

Greenwich Athletics. With 347

pressures of balancing academics

student-athletes participating across

and competition, our student-

25 competitive teams and one

athletes have continued to rise

developmental tennis program, the

above, growing stronger together

energy on the water, our fields,

with each test they faced. As the

courts, and in our halls has been

season progressed, these moments

electric. From thrilling victories to

of perseverance made our

meaningful traditions, our

celebrations of Senior Days even

community has come together to

more meaningful. We are deeply

celebrate the power of Sacred Heart

grateful for our senior student-

Greenwich Athletics and the bonds it

athletes. Their leadership,

builds.

determination and heart helped shape the spirit of Sacred Heart

A special highlight of the season

Greenwich athletics this fall.

came over Columbus Day weekend, when our varsity volleyball team

Beyond the scoreboard, countless

traveled to Duchesne Academy of the

hours have been devoted to team

Sacred Heart in Houston, TX to

building both on and off the field. Our

compete in the Sacred Heart Network

coaches and athletes know that

Volleyball Tournament. Over the

success begins with connection, and

course of the weekend, the team

this fall we have seen the sisterhood

played with incredible heart, focus,

that lies at the heart of Sacred Heart

and teamwork; earning the

Greenwich Athletics grow stronger

championship title and bringing the

than ever. Whether during bus rides,

trophy home to Greenwich. The

post-game reflections, or quiet

experience was about so much more

moments of encouragement between

than wins; it was a wonderful

teammates, the bonds being formed

opportunity to connect with other

are powerful and lasting.

Sacred Heart schools, share in the spirit of the Network, and celebrate

In the Middle School, we are

what it means to be part of

especially excited about the work

something bigger than ourselves.

being done to cultivate a strong

the importance of trust, communication, and shared values. It is our hope that these important lessons will serve all of our student-athletes far beyond the game.

Meanwhile, in the Lower School, our Tiger Time program has expanded, providing even more opportunities for our youngest students to explore new sports and stay active. This fall, students have enthusiastically participated in squash, soccer, tennis, and swimming, learning foundational skills and discovering the joy of movement and teamwork.

From our seasoned varsity players to our youngest students, this fall has been a celebration of everything Sacred Heart Greenwich Athletics stands for: excellence, growth, and sisterhood. As we look ahead to the rest of the year, we do so with gratitude for our community and excitement for all that’s still to come.

team culture. Thanks to teamThroughout the season, all of our

building sessions led by Coach Hart,

Middle and Upper School student-

our young athletes are learning that

Mrs. Laurie Rousseau Director of Athletics October 2025

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Inside the Huddle: How Coach Stuart Has Built the Soccer Program

Lead with Heart. Act with Purpose.

For the past ten years, Coach Stuart has been cultivating a culture that celebrates hard work and respect above all else.

President Michael Baber discusses this year’s theme, and how Sacred Heart students are turning it into action on the fields and courts.

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SAAC Spotlight: Celebrating Homecoming 2025

Tigers for Life: Franny O’Brien ’22, Notre Dame ’26

Emma M. ’27 and Sasha M. ’28 share how SAAC is building community, spirit, and support on and off the field.

Alumna Franny O’Brien is the personification of Lead with Heart. Act with Purpose.

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The Quiet Edge: How Our Trainers Turn Care into Competitive Advantage

Tiger Time = Game Time: Building Confidence, Coordination, and Community

Step inside our state-of-the-art training room, where we keep our student-athletes healthy, strong, and ready to compete.

It’s never too soon to learn how to lead on and off the field

Director of Athletics Mrs. Laurie Rousseau P’27

Managing Editor Mrs. Ayo Hart P’24 P’24, Head Coach, Basketball, Assistant Coach, Track and Field

Editors Mrs. Tricia Boyle, Communications and Marketing Manager Mrs. Laura Plunkett, Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications

Photographers Mr. Chris Pope Grace V. ’26

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Scarlett P. ’26 SAAC Role: Co-President Sports: Lacrosse and Soccer

Ari C. ’26 SAAC Role: Co-President Sports: Soccer

Jaiden V. ’26 SAAC Role: Co-Vice President Sports: Soccer Janie D. ’26 SAAC Role: Co-Vice President Sports: Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Golf Emma M. ’27 Sports: Lacrosse, Basketball, and Field Hockey SAAC Role: Secretary Sasha M ’28 SAAC Role: 2028 Representative Sports: Lacrosse, Ice hockey, Field Hockey Liv S. ’27 SAAC Role: Media Representative Sports: Field Hockey

Contributors Mr. Silvio Ferraro Mr. Phil Giackette Mrs. Beth Wilson-Jordan P’13, ’17, ’18 Miss Karen Panarella

Mia Kinney ’29 SAAC Role: 2029 Representative Sports: Field Hockey

On the Cover

Sacred Heart Greenwich Rowing in action.

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We’re collecting your best team photos for every issue of One Roar.

Please scan the QR code below to upload your photos.

Guidelines: • JPEG or PNG only (no RAW) email if you have RAW only • Max file size: 100 MB per photo • Uploaders cannot view other submissions • Include name, team, opponent, and date

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One Roar

FROM THE EDITOR Dear Sacred Heart Greenwich Community, If the first issue of One Roar celebrated our collective pride in Sacred Heart Greenwich Athletics, this second issue celebrates something even deeper: the heart behind the roar.

Every season brings its own story, but this fall, our first season of the year, we’ve been inspired by one message that echoes across every field, court, and classroom: Lead with Heart, Act with Purpose. It’s more than a school theme, it’s a challenge and a promise. It reminds us that true leadership isn’t about titles or trophies; it’s about effort, empathy, and the way we lift each other along the way.

In this issue, we see that spirit in action. Our feature on the Soccer program and a conversation with Head Coach Stuart Smith highlights the power of culture, connection, and commitment and how shared purpose turns a group of individuals into a team. In the Lower School, we shine a spotlight on Tiger Time, where the seeds of sportsmanship are planted early as our youngest student-athletes learn the joy of competition, teamwork, and belonging.

We also go behind the scenes with our incredible athletic trainers, Christina Cauliffe and Danny Segui, whose care and expertise keep our student-athletes healthy and strong often without fanfare but always with gratitude. Our SAAC spotlight takes a look at the planning that went into our Homecoming Pep Rally and celebrates the great sense of community as our Lower School and Upper School convened in Dubois to get pumped up for the weekend. And we caught up with Franny O’Brien ‘22, a former Tiger now competing with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Lacrosse Team, a powerful reminder of where passion and perseverance can lead.

One Roar continues to be a space that unites our entire athletics community from the Lower School playground to the college sidelines. It’s a celebration of the people, purpose, and pride that make Sacred Heart Greenwich Athletics truly special.

We want to hear from you! Whether you're a current student-athlete, an alum, a coach, a proud parent, or a Sacred Heart Greenwich superfan, we invite you to contribute to future issues. Submit articles, photos, letters, or ideas by emailing harta@cshct.org.

Here’s to the power of sport. Here’s to our Sacred Heart Greenwich student-athletes. And here’s to One Roar where every voice in our athletics family is heard!

With gratitude and pride,

Mrs. Ayo Hart P’24, P’24 Head Basketball Coach; Assistant Track Coach Co-Advisor, Class of 2028 October 2025

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INSIDE THE HUDDLE: HOW COACH STUART HAS BUILT A PROGRAM Walk onto the beautifully kept pitch

getting the girls out on the field

herself, we talk about that a lot.

at Sacred Heart Greenwich, and you

was a challenge, calling them in

The work rate, the work ethic, and

feel it before you see it: the

would take three or four minutes.

the focus within practice is

rhythmic pulse of an organized

This year, you say it once and

nonnegotiable. That has to be

warm-up, seniors quietly setting the

they're all out there. Most of the

there each day,” explains Coach

tone, and younger players snapping

time, you don't even have to call

Stuart.

into drills on a single call. It wasn’t

them in.”

always like this though. In his tenth

He holds himself and his coaching

season at Sacred Heart Greenwich

As the program has evolved, so to

staff to those same standards.

and 24th overall, Coach Stuart will

has Coach Stuart’s coaching style.

“Every day has to be worthwhile,”

tell you that the biggest change

He credits himself for having a

he explains. “I know what the girls

hasn’t been a formation or a fancy

better understanding of the needs

are giving up, what they're

drill. It’s culture.

of the student-athletes and what

sacrificing as people, as students,

drives them.

so anytime we're going to get

“Ten years ago, I had a lot of multi-

together, I make sure that they're

sport athletes - not many year-

One thing that hasn’t changed is

getting something purposeful

round soccer players, so the way

Coach Stuart’s core values.

done each day. I make sure to plan

that I had to coach them and try and

Irrespective of the makeup of his

each day carefully. Recovery days

engage them, or push them was

roster, Coach says respect is

have a goal. Finishing days have a

different to the way that I can

paramount. “Respecting each

goal.”

approach this team. Back then, just

other, trying to embrace each other and allow each person to be

Coach Stuart is the personification of leading with heart and acting

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with purpose. That purpose also shows up in the way he organizes the season. The varsity team splits its schedule into three, five-game ‘mini-seasons,’ with a points target for each block. “A big thing for us is just the next game,” explains Coach. “The next game is the foundation of everything we do. While we have that mini-season goal, we're really dialed in on the next game, and getting points from it.”

The ability to earn those points comes from a roster with the most depth, all with Coach Stuart at the helm.

With 22 players, two goalkeepers, and meaningful contributions from freshmen through seniors, the depth is a luxury and a puzzle. “Our depth is a huge advantage,” Coach says. “We can make numerous substitutions and get a different look to change a game.” The challenge is keeping everyone engaged when matches don’t open up early. The Tigers have dominated possession and chance creation in

particularly early in the year so the group is fluent in multiple looks. No matter what shape Sacred Heart Greenwich takes, the principles don’t change. “It doesn't matter what formation we play or what people are out there, the principles of play are still there.”

This consistency extends to the bench. With longtime assistant Coach Silvio Ferraro, whom the girls affectionately call Señor because of his long stint teaching Spanish at Sacred Heart Greenwich, on staff with Coach Stuart since day one, players know what to expect. Coach believes that continuity is a

multiple games (70% possession and 29 shots in one

competitive edge.

game) yet the score line has sometimes lagged the performance and effort. “When we don’t finish, it’s

Another key strength of the program is its durability.

harder to rotate as much as we’d like,” Coach admits.

Injuries happen, soccer is a full speed contact sport

“So we communicate. We check in constantly. We make

with no protective gear, but our athletes have

sure the girls know why a change happened or didn’t.

suffered fewer soft-tissue setbacks with faster

Our seniors have been brilliant supporting teammates

turnarounds. “Our game is physically demanding,

who haven’t gotten minutes on a given day.” That

and these athletes are still growing,” Coach says. “We

clarity builds trust. It’s not about favorites; it’s about roles that fit the moment. One example: a defender needed to counter a single speedy forward, “there was one defender who couldn’t come out because she shut her down three times. That was her job.” Players see the logic, buy in, and stay ready.

With all these pieces to the puzzle, Coach Stuart will toggle formations when needed but not often,

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TEAM OF THE WEEK (OCT 6): ROWING

Top-half finishes in all three events at their first official race of the season

“The goal is to get faster every week.”

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Inside the Huddle cont. teach recovery like any other skill (sleep, hydration, use of the recovery boots, ice, rolling, band activation in warm-ups) so we’re available to play.” That education happens daily, often in quiet moments before and after sessions. It’s no accident that in our conversation injury prevention shows up as a core value alongside

opponents, and the game itself. It’s the kind of culture readily noticed by parents and visiting fans.

work rate and respect.

went straight to 2023’s 13–0 FAA run and the first NEPSAC berth in

The team sits at 10-4-2 at the time of publishing including a historic accomplishment this season. For the first time in program history, Sacred Heart Greenwich has defeated four boarding schools in one season: Taft, Kent, Millbrook, and Suffield. Ask Coach Stuart what part of the game can be credited to the team’s success, and he’ll say, “It starts with the warm-up. Generally, if we control the warm-

program history. “I don't think they were necessarily the most talented team in the league or anyone had them as the favorites,” he says. “At one point we lost a couple of key players, but they had so much drive,

up, we control the first 10.” The senior captains own that moment, checking energy, and sharpening the focus of their teammates. “If we get a sense the focus isn't there, we kind of get on that quickly in the warm-up.” The captains don’t just give pregame speeches and run stretches. They meet weekly with the coaching staff to

led by the seniors. I'll always remember that. They were such a special group. That will always be hard to beat, but again, it was just about having that heart and desire

review the week: energy levels, academic crunches, any rumblings of drama (there’s been “very, very little” this year), and how to integrate newcomers. Coach Stuart is purposeful in his leadership mentoring. Sometimes the coaches step back and let captains run a segment of practice setting scrimmage teams, leading the huddle, or delivering the final word postgame. “They’re finding the balance between when to push and when to support,” Smith notes. “They’re cognizant and sensitive of the younger players and how they motivate them and integrate them into the group.”

Respect runs through it all: respect for each other, officials,

as a team.”

Asked for a favorite memory, Coach

What’s the next chapter? Sustained relevance at the top of NEPSAC. The bar isn’t merely to qualify; it’s to compete for semifinals and finals year after year. “We’ve made huge strides,” Coach says. “Now we want to lift the ceiling.” And this squad is determined to Leave No Doubt.

⚡️ Lightning Round with Coach Stuart ⚡️ Pre-game hype song Eminem: Lose Yourself

Superstitions I wear the same sneakers when we’re on a winning streak

If you weren’t coaching, you’d be....

Teaching October 2025

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LEAD WITH HEART, ACT WITH PURPOSE. When President Michael Baber, talks about this year’s Sacred

helping girls become successful in this life and the

Heart Greenwich theme, Lead with Heart, Act with Purpose, he doesn’t treat it like a slogan.

He treats it like a compass. One that points back to the very

next.”

origins of a Sacred Heart education and forward to what it means to compete, learn, and live with intention today.

purpose. Baber believes that purpose is never detached from one’s gifts. “God isn’t going to give you a purpose that’s over here but gift you for something over there,” he says.

“Your purpose and your gifts go hand in hand.”

“It all begins with purpose,” Baber says. “From the very beginning, Sophie Barat was asked by her brother: What’s your purpose in life? In philosophy, they call it telos, your end, your aim. She found her purpose in education in

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That sense of calling leads directly into the second half of the theme: acting with

And the theme truly comes alive in how it plays out on the field, the court, and the track.

In Sacred Heart Greenwich athletics, leading with heart

and acting with purpose isn’t just about performance, it’s about how you play.

For Baber, athletics at Sacred Heart Greenwich has always reflected the culture and climate of the school itself. He remembers when his wife, a three-sport athlete from the Class of 1979,

world, you realize that competition makes you better,” Baber explains. “Our girls, our coaches, everyone raised their game.”

Asked where a visitor might see

embodied both fierce competitiveness and deep kindness. “She had that fire in her belly,” he recalls. “She was always about excellence in the practice of sport. But she never sacrificed it to the degree that she would overpower. She had that perfect combo, and I think it came from the culture and climate here.”

That balance of grit without cruelty, confidence without arrogance is what Baber believes Lead with Heart, Act with Purpose captures best. “One can be kind and also drive to the basket; have the skill and the confidence to do it. It doesn’t mean you walk over the player after you’ve driven to the basket. You put your hand down and help her up.” He smiles as he says it, because that ideal of competitive excellence and character intertwined isn’t theoretical anymore. “We now have both the skill and the grace,” Baber says proudly. “We play with passion and with dignity and grace.”

That balance didn’t happen overnight. Baber recalls that when he joined Sacred Heart Greenwich in 2000, the athletic program had heart, but perhaps not yet the edge we have today. “We had passion for athletics, but we weren’t as forceful as we are now,” he says. “We didn’t have the grittiness we have now.”

The change, he believes, came with Sacred Heart Greenwich’s decision to compete not just in the FAA but also in NEPSAC (New England Prep School Athletic Council . “When you’re playing against Choate or Hotchkiss, schools recruiting from around the

our theme in action, Baber doesn’t hesitate. “A practice,” he says. “That’s where you’d see it most clearly. A player drives hard to goal, maybe fouls someone, and then immediately apologizes.

Or she accidentally hits the goalie and checks in to make sure she’s okay. That’s what Lead with Heart looks like.”

He also points to the ways students care across divisions; Upper School students tutoring

“We play with passion, but with dignity and grace” ~Michael Baber, President

Middle School students, or younger students learning through service projects.

“Packing a bus for Midnight Run, that’s acting with purpose,” he says.

Baber believes the theme’s strength lies in how it grows throughout the year. “Sometimes you don’t fully understand what it means until December,” he admits. “Then a moment

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TEAM OF THE WEEK (OCT 13): VARSITY VOLLEYBALL

Champions - Sacred Heart Network Volleyball Tournament

“The team played with incredible heart, focus, and teamwork”

Event Recap: The varsity volleyball team traveled to Houston, Texas to compete in the Sacred Heart Network Schools Tournament. The team went undefeated against tough competition and represented our school with pride. Being part of the Sacred Heart Network means connecting with our sister schools across the country, sharing in a tradition of excellence, friendship, and sportsmanship.

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happens, a comeback win, a service trip, a personal breakthrough and suddenly you see a new dimension.”

If purpose defines why Sacred Heart Greenwich exists, service defines how we live. “From the beginning, service has been nonnegotiable here,” Baber says. “Sister Martha Roughan used to say, ‘There’s only one reason someone won’t graduate from Sacred Heart: if they don’t do their community service.’ She might not have meant to be taken literally, but she was trying to put a line in the sand.

That's how valuable it is.” Baber believes service is the antidote to entitlement. “If you’ve spent years working with single mothers or the homeless, it changes you,” he says. “It engenders gratitude for life, for your coaches, for your school community.”

In a world where success often goes hand in hand with self-promotion, Lead with Heart. Act with Purpose. feels refreshingly radical. It challenges every student-athlete to compete fiercely and compassionately, to play to win and play with grace. And when Sacred Heart teams step on the field, court, or track this year, they’ll do so guided by something greater than a scoreboard: a belief that leadership and purpose begin in the heart and that the truest victories are the ones that shape who they become.

⚡️ Lightning Round with Mr. Baber ⚡️ At Sacred Heart Greenwich, winning looks like...

Dignity

What our theme looks like in action in six words Being our best selves every day.

If you could pick a pregame song for the whole school This Girl is on Fire

Any traditions that you want More fierce pep rallies with Tshirt cannons

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INSIDE SAAC: BRINGING SPIRIT, STRUCTURE, AND THE STUDENT VOICE TO OUR ATHLETICS The Sacred Heart Greenwich Student-Athlete

really fun that the Lower School gets involved,”

Advisory Council (SAAC), made up of multi-sport

Sasha added. “It makes the whole school feel

athletes across nearly every team, is bringing new

connected, and we get to show the younger girls

energy, clearer communication, and a stronger

what Sacred Heart spirit looks like.”

sense of connection between students and the athletics department and faculty.

SAAC’s work doesn’t stop with the pep rally. They continue to meet monthly, sharing ideas for future

The group met in early October to plan for the all-

events and initiatives that enhance the student-

school Pep Rally during Homecoming Weekend.

athlete experience. “What attracted me to SAAC

“Last year’s was fun,” said Emma, “but honestly, it

was the mission,” said Emma. “I want to feel like

was a little chaotic. No one really knew what was

we’re doing something to help be that voice for

happening. This year, we’ve made a full schedule

student-athletes so they know they have someone

with time slots, emcees, and a plan for each

they can turn to.”

activity.” That schedule included everything from relay races and tug-of-war to a hula hoop

SAAC has also been ramping up its social media

challenge.

presence on their dedicated Instagram account (@SHGSAAC) that adds a personal, playful touch to

Now, looking back, the Pep Rally was everything

athletics coverage. Recent posts have featured

SAAC envisioned and more. The Upper School and

team highlights, “What’s in the Box” challenges,

Lower School gathered in the Dubois Gym on

and seasonal polls like favorite Halloween candy.

October 17 to celebrate our fall teams and get the

“The Go Sacred Heart account is more formal,”

entire community pumped up for a fantastic

Emma said. “We want ours to be fun and have more

lineup of games on Homecoming Weekend. “It’s

of a student voice. We’re trying trying to highlight a

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team each week to make sure all the teams get shown on Instagram.”

SAAC also aims to improve communication between student-

Lead with Heart.

Act with Purpose.

athletes, their teachers, and the Athletic Department. With representatives from nearly every sport, SAAC serves as a bridge ensuring that every voice is heard, from freshmen to varsity captains. “I think it's important that when we have an away game, and I can't get to a test, I have someone to back me if I need help,” explains Emma. “And I can contact the SAAC president so they can contact the AD. If anyone knows how to balance athletics and academics, it’s Emma and Sasha. Both are three-sport athletes, juggling practices, classes, and leadership responsibilities with a sense of purpose that reflects our school’s theme this year: Lead with Heart. Act with Purpose.

“Lead with Heart is always just being at your highest level in sports. Trying your best and working your hardest,” ~ Sasha M. ’28

“Act with purpose is always be there for your teammates. Do what you need to do, not because you need to do it, but because you want to do it. ~ Sasha M. ’28

“Lead with Heart means using the resources we have at Sacred Heart and applying that to whatever you need. For example using SAAC as a resource for people if they're in a pinch.“ ~ Emma M. ’27

“Act with Purpose is when you're intentional with your actions, and when you need help, you're going to come to us.

You're not going to be scared.

We're here to help you.” ~ Emma M. ’27

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TEAM OF THE WEEK (OCT 27): JV A FIELD HOCKEY

Only 7 goals allowed in 14 games

“Our defense has been impenetrable.”

Our JV A Field Hockey team remains UNDEFEATED on the season through the month of October!

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ATHLETICS IN NUMBERS

400+

Middle School and Upper School students participate in more than 54 teams each year

Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA)

168

Players of the Year

5

All - League Student-Athletes

since 2020

since 2020

13

Academic All-Americans

13

All-Americans

since 2020

LEAD WITH LEAD WITH HEART. HEART. ACT WITH ACT WITH PURPOSE. PURPOSE. 16

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TIGERS FOR LIFE: A CONVERSATION WITH FRANNY O’BRIEN ’22 NOTRE DAME ’26 competition. “At Notre Dame, we’re playing all year long. So it's important to focus on those things that really matter.

And that's just being part of a team.”

When Franny O’Brien sprints onto the field in her blue and gold Notre Dame uniform, she carries more than her lacrosse stick.

She carries a legacy shaped by family, faith, and her years at Sacred Heart Greenwich. At Sacred Heart, Franny was the kind of student-athlete who never sat still for long. Between soccer, basketball, and lacrosse, she learned lessons that have carried her all the way to the Fighting Irish. “Playing multiple sports gave me incredibly transferable skills,” she says. “Footwork, vision, playmaking IQ, everything carried over from one sport to the next. But more than that, it shaped my mindset. Stats never mattered to me. It was always about the team.”

When Franny looks back on her time at Sacred Heart Greenwich, her memories aren’t about crazy wins or tiebreaking goals. “I remember the good moments and laughs and fun with those girls,” she says. “That’s what matters about sports. It's about bringing people together. Being a three-sport athlete taught me to love the process more than the outcome.”

That perspective of focusing on the joy in the journey has carried Franny through four demanding years of collegiate

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Stepping onto the field as a freshman in South Bend, Franny brought the same confidence and competitiveness she cultivated in Sacred Heart’s FAA and NEPSAC matchups. “The level of play at Sacred Heart Greenwich prepared me more than I realized,” she says. “We were playing top talent every week. I was playing against girls that I'm now playing with or have been playing against for three years. Coming from that environment gave me the confidence to play at the next level.”

That foundation proved vital as she transitioned to the intensity of ACC lacrosse. “It wasn’t just skill. It was the mentality.”

Last year, Franny was joined at Notre Dame by her sister Lila Sacred Heart

Greenwich ’24. “Lila joining me at Notre Dame has been

Google calendar down to the second of every day,” she

the greatest gift of my life, says Franny. “It's incredible to

laughs. “But seriously, it’s about carving out time for

have the family continuation of our legacy here. It

self-care: ice cream with friends, study sessions, driving

motivates, fulfills, and inspires me every day.” The

to the lake with Lila.”

reunion has been as competitive as it has been emotional. “We almost always partner up in drills

Even after suffering a preseason injury that sidelined her

because I know she’ll push me the hardest. She

for weeks last year, Franny found strength in routine. “I

challenges me, comforts me, and motivates me. Being

focused on what I could control,” she says. “Rehab,

sisters and teammates is something really special. It has

nutrition, sleep, small goals. It was one of the hardest

made us both better.”

things I’ve done in my life, but luckily, I was incredibly supported by my teammates, my friends and my sister.”

That family connection deepens every time Franny looks down at her wrist before a game where she writes the

Now a senior, Franny leans on her resilience, grit and

number 14, a tribute to her late

experience to lead the Notre Dame Womens Lacrosse

father, Frank O’Brien a two

team. She sees leadership

sport athlete at Notre

as something earned, not

Dame ’88. “Wearing 41

given. “Culture has a

my freshman year and

top-down effect,” she

now 14 for the last two

says. “Younger

years definitely connects

teammates do what they

me to my late father in a

see. I try to act and speak

way where I’m playing for

in ways that reflect my

someone else,” she says. “It

morals and values and our

reminds me I’m playing for

team’s, making that conscious

something bigger than myself. On

decision and effort every day.”

hard days, it gives me a reason to

She also believes leadership begins

keep going. On good days, it gives me something to be proud of. Wearing his number here at Notre Dame is just a dream that I've had since I was young. So I’m quite literally living the dream.

Notre Dame lacrosse carries a storied tradition and skyhigh expectations, but Franny embraces the challenge with gratitude. “Something we talk about a lot on our team is that pressure is a privilege,” she explains. “It’s an honor to wear this uniform. Seeing it that way keeps me

off the field. “I place an incredible value on relationships on the team. I think it’s very important to know every teammate as an individual outside of lacrosse.

I like to spend time with girls in different classes, ages, and backgrounds. When you have real relationships, communication is easier and trust is stronger. You can have the hard conversations when you care about each other.”

grounded. It’s about gratitude, not stress.”

It’s no surprise that Franny was one of the most

Staying grounded is important given the loaded days that

Heart Greenwich. Looking back, she wishes she’d

Franny and her teammates endure. She manages the demands with discipline and balance. “I have a

beloved two season captains during her time at Sacred known one thing sooner: that the hard days matter most. “In high school, things went relatively smoothly,” she says. “But in college, there are more variables: injuries, exams, weather, fatigue. I’ve learned those are

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BECAUSE OF YOU: OUR COMMUNITY OF CHAMPIONS Heartfelt gratitude from our community.

Because of you, we thrive.”

“Your hard work and passion does not go unnoticed.”

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the most important days to show up. The days you least want to be there are when you grow the most.” To younger Sacred Heart Greenwich student-athletes dreaming of college sports, her advice is simple but profound, “Trust yourself and your preparation. Confidence comes from the work you’ve put in. You’ve trained for this moment. You already have what you need. Trust your love for the game and when the moment comes, you don't really need to do anything more or less.”

As she enters her own senior season, Franny’s goal is clear: help Notre Dame women’s lacrosse make history. “We’ve never won a national championship,” she says. “That’s been our goal since I was a freshman. That and we want to represent our university to the best of our abilities and play to be the best team in the country.” Off the field, her goals reach beyond lacrosse. “I want to leave a legacy I’m proud of,” she says. “One that goes beyond lacrosse and hopefully builds great lifelong lasting relationships.”

⚡️ LIGHTNING ROUND WITH FRANNY ⚡️ Go to pre-race hype song Sorry 4 the Wait - Lil Wayne

🎶

Playing for Notre Dame means____ everything to me!

☘️

Favorite Class at Notre Dame

📚

Sports Leadership with Muffet McGraw

Pre-game ritual A celcius and a trip to the grotto with our team chaplain Favorite Sacred Heart Greenwich Tradition

💍 💚

Ring Day

Describe Sacred Heart Greenwich in 3 words Family * Fun * Forever

October 2025

21

THE QUIET EDGE: HOW OUR TRAINERS TURN CARE INTO COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

themselves “the cool department,” there’s truth in the joke. “We’re relatable,” Segui says. “Athletics is where kids can tie their hair up and just be themselves.

Everywhere I’ve been, I’ve taken pride in creating a safe space. Some girls come in just to say hi or share something positive. You hear about the wins, the team chemistry, the laughter. That’s the good stuff. They also might need a break from a tough class, a tough practice, or a tough day.” Cauliffe nods. “We’re listeners first. They can vent here. But we also push them to find solutions. If a student comes in upset, I’ll say, ‘Okay, what’s next? What’s the plan?’ It helps them refocus.” This often blurs the line between mentor and ATC. “Sometimes they’ll hear advice from me that they’ve already heard from a parent or coach,” Segui says. “But hearing it from another adult can make it click.”

They don’t wear jerseys. They don’t score goals or spike balls. But every practice, every game, every comeback story at Sacred Heart Greenwich can be traced back to two of our community’s biggest unsung heroes, Mrs. Cauliffe and Mr. Segui. Between juggling ice packs and studying to keep up on treatment innovations, their care forms the invisible backbone of Sacred Heart Greenwich athletics.

By the time most students head to lunch, Segui has already been on campus for hours. “I get in around 10:00 or 10:30,” he says. “Sometimes I’ll get my own workout in, but I’m here early in case a student-athlete needs treatment before classes; maybe someone got hurt over the weekend or needs to be re-evaluated.” From there, the day doesn’t stop. Ice machines to fix. Towels to wash. Aframe banners to haul to the field. “We wear a lot of hats,” Segui laughs. “Setting up goals and water at the fields, taping ankles; whatever it takes.”

By noon, the training room fills with student-athletes grabbing ice, swapping stories, and squeezing in treatment between classes. That care extends well beyond the physical. And though they laugh when they call

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For Cauliffe, the morning often begins differently. As the Health and Wellness Department Chair, she balances teaching eighth, tenth, and twelfth-grade health while coordinating special programming for grades K–12. “I might be teaching CPR in the morning, helping with the health curriculum in the lower school, and then jumping right into treatments and communication with coaches,” she explains.

Between them, Cauliffe and Segui care for an

important parts of prevention. “The girls here have

astonishing number of student-athletes. “On a light

access to equipment you won’t find in most high

day, 40 to 50,” Segui says. Some come for rehab, others

schools,” Cauliffe says. “We’re talking about college-

for reassurance. There are taped ankles, ice baths,

level resources even professional-grade in some

compression boots, and, yes, the occasional Band-Aid

cases.” Segui adds, “We’ve got a combo machine that

for a scraped knee. If there’s one constant in their work,

uses ultrasound and Stim therapy together. That’s

it’s unpredictability. And the most unpredictable part

something I’ve only seen in D1 programs.”

of the day? “Games are wild cards,” Cauliffe says. “The refs, the pace, the energy; things can change in

For all their advanced equipment, the real difference is

seconds. Preparedness,” she adds, “goes far beyond

still in the human touch. “Caring is a skill,” Cauliffe

reaction. Every year, we review our emergency action

says. “Anyone can tape an ankle. But knowing when to

plan with every coach from lightning policies to CPR.

listen, when to push, and when to hold back; that’s

Every coach needs to know how to respond before we

where experience matters.” Between them, the two

even step on the field.” Her students, too, are learning

have over 25 years of combined experience, from pro

those life-saving skills. “I certify about a third of our

and collegiate programs to community colleges and

students in CPR each year,” Cauliffe says. “At this point,

physical therapy clinics. Cauliffe once worked with the

I’m confident that at least half of every team could help

G-League Knicks, Segui at Columbia University. Both

in an emergency to some capacity. They understand

bring those lessons here.

what an emergency action plan is and they understand how to stay calm in that high stress situation.”

Ask Cauliffe and Segui what separates good training from great training, and they’ll both point to prevention. “We’re not just fixing injuries,” Segui explains. “We’re studying patterns and trends.” “If four or five players from the same

Not unlike our sports teams, the

“The girls here have access to equipment you won’t find in most high schools.

We’re talking about college-level resources even professional-grade in some cases.”

athletics department runs on trust and teamwork not just between trainers, but across the entire athletics department. “Christina and I are a subcategory of a bigger team,” Segui says. “We work closely with the athletics office, the coaches, maintenance, facilities; everyone.” Cauliffe

team come in with hip flexor pain,” Cauliffe adds, “I’m

agrees. “Unlike any department on campus, we can’t

going straight to the field. I’ll watch their warm-up.

function in a bubble. Athletics doesn’t stop for a bad

Maybe something’s missing. Maybe they have poor

day. It must go on, and it must be excellent.”

mechanics, maybe they’re not ready for a drill. Our job is to see that before it turns into something worse.” She

Before heading back to the treatment room, both

also looks at shoes, fitness levels, and form.

trainers shared some advice for student-athletes:

“Sometimes the fix is as simple as a new pair of

Cauliffe started with, “Listen to your body.” which

sneakers or inserts,” she says. “At their age, my biggest

Segui eagerly agreed before adding, “Take your warm-

prevention strategy is education,” Segui explains. “The

up seriously. If you take your warm-up seriously. I’m

girls have never really been seriously injured before.

not kidding. If you take your warm-up and recovery

They’re still learning to differentiate between soreness

seriously, you could literally run faster, jump higher,

and a strain.”

and stay healthier. It makes a significant difference.”

Both trainers emphasize the recovery tools available at

And for those dreaming of following in their footsteps?

Sacred Heart Greenwich: Normatec boots, ice baths,

Segui invites students to spend a day with him and

foam rollers, and heat therapy as one of the most

shadow him. “I think any student-athlete would enjoy

October 2025

23

1000

REASONS TO CELEBRATE

SOPHOMORE JULIANA L. HITS A MAJOR MILESTONE

Sophomore setter Juliana L. in action vs. Choate

Sophomore Juliana L. hit a record milestone of 1,000 assists during our match against Hopkins on October 1, 2025. Jules set as an 8th grader for Port Chester High School’s varsity volleyball team and her assists there combined with her assists at Sacred Heart Greenwich during her freshman and sophomore year to date allowed her to achieve this record milestone. The team surprised her with a sign at the away match, and Hopkins gave her the game ball. The team presented her with a signed “Golden Ball” celebrating her at our next home match.

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Rapid Fire with our Athletic Trainers

being around me, learning from me, and me showing them the beauty of being an athletic trainer and the fun I have every single day and how much I love my job.” Cauliffe’s advice is simple: “Take anatomy seriously. You should know your anatomy inside, outside, backwards, and forwards, up, down, and

What’s one thing in your training room that every athlete loves and one thing they secretly dread?

right. And find an institution like Sacred Heart Greenwich. I've been in a lot of different schools and a lot of different institutions, and there's not many that treat us the way we do, give us the opportunities that

They both agree the ice bath is the obvious one. Our girls seem to have a love/hate relationship with it.

we have, allow us to treat the athletes to the caliber that we are, and also work for a community that knows who we are and are grateful for who we are.”

There is, however, no love whatsoever for the stretching straps.

What’s your favorite sports movie Cauliffe: Little Giants Segui: Remember the Titans

What superpower would you want as an athletic trainer?

Segui: The ability to multiply Cauliffe: Control time

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

They both agree it’s seeing an athlete get back out there after a long injury. For Segui, it’s also “seeing the success of our athletics program. I talk about how my school is competing at a national level and kids are going to all these top Division I programs. Our coaches, their resumes, I find that super rewarding and cool.” Cauliffe adds “it’s the gratitude from the teams afterwards.”

October 2025

25

TIGER TIME = GAME TIME: BUILDING CONFIDENCE, COORDINATION, COMMUNITY When the bell rings at 3:10 p.m. in Lower School, the day is far from over for many of our girls. Across the Barat Center and the Lower School halls, sneakers squeak, laughter fills the gym, and young Tigers head off not home, but to Tiger Time.

“Tiger Time is our after-school program for Lower School

“We had over 75 registrations this fall. Some students

students, from the Barat Center up through fourth grade,”

even signed up for multiple activities,” Pei says. “The

explains Elizabeth Pei, Assistant Head of Lower School. “We

athletic courses filled up the fastest. Families really

run it Monday through Friday from 3:10 to 4:10 p.m. We

value programs that help their kids stay active.” The

offer a range of enrichment options from athletics to arts to

sessions are small by design, usually capped at 12

movement and creativity.”

students to ensure each child gets individual attention. “When classes get too large, it’s harder for

Each course meets one day a week for an entire season:

coaches to really connect with every child,” Pei

fall, winter, and spring. Families sign up in advance,

explains. “These small groups allow for real growth.”

choosing from a menu of programs led by Sacred Heart Greenwich coaches, teachers, and select outside vendors.

Beyond skill-building, Tiger Time is helping young

“It’s really about offering families something high-quality,

athletes take their first steps into the culture of team

engaging, and active for their kids after school,” says Pei.

sports. “For many of our students, this is the first time

“The students love to stay busy, and this keeps them

they’re part of an organized team experience,” says

learning and moving in a joyful way.”

Pei. “They learn how to take feedback from a coach, how to work toward a goal, and how to win and lose

Athletics have quickly become a popular choice in Tiger

gracefully; all in a very supportive setting.”

Time. This fall, students could swing clubs in golf with

26

Coach Panarella, rally on the courts in squash with Coach

The experience even mirrors aspects of Middle School

McDavid, kick goals in soccer with Coach Ford, perfect their

athletics. “For tennis and golf, the students actually

serve in tennis with Coach O, or make a splash in swim with

take a bus to their practice sites on the Lower

Coach Reed.

Campus,” Pei explains. “That little detail of riding the

One Roar

bus together creates a sense of

chance in a supportive space.

independence and camaraderie. It’s a

There’s no pressure, no judgment

social experience as much as a

just the joy of trying something

physical one.”

new.”

Tiger Time Athletics Offerings

Upper School athletes often join

Pei has seen it firsthand: the

sessions as helpers, bridging

hesitant beginner who transforms

generations of Tigers. “It’s wonderful

into an enthusiastic participant.

for our younger students to learn

“Sometimes a child will start off

from the older girls they look up to,”

nervous ‘I’ve never played golf

Pei adds. “It gives our older athletes

before, what if I can’t do it?’, and by

leadership experience, too.”

the third session, they’re running down the hall to get there.”

The athletics offerings at Tiger Time provide our Lower School athletes

With its early success, offering

the opportunity to experience the full

athletic activities during Tiger Time

benefits of sports at Sacred Heart

is poised to expand. “The demand is

Greenwich. It’s about building

definitely there,” says Pei. “In the

community and living the Sacred

winter when space is limited, we get

Heart mission through play. “What

creative; maybe archery in a

makes this program special is the

classroom, or dance in our

cross-grade connection,” Pei says. “A

alternative spaces. But the goal is to

fourth grader might be paired with a

keep offering a variety.” Parents,

first grader in soccer and naturally

too, have voiced their enthusiasm.

step into a leadership role. That

“Families want consistency,” Pei

dynamic builds confidence for both.”

says. “They want a program they can rely on each season. And they

Schedule Monday - Friday 3:10 - 4:10pm

Seasons Fall, Winter, Spring

Grades Served Barat Center - 4th Grade

Fall Registrations 77 total across all programs

Group Size 12 students maximum

Every session emphasizes

appreciate knowing their children

sportsmanship, kindness, and

are staying active, engaged, and

teamwork; the same core values that

cared for right here on campus.”

Winter Offerings

athletics at every level. “They're

For Pei, the heart of Tiger Time lies

learning how to respond to feedback,

in what it reveals about each child.

how to support one another, how to

“It’s a chance for kids to widen their

handle a loss, and how to lift up their

circle, to show a different side of

teammates.”

themselves,” she says. “I’ve taught

Archery: K-2 and 3-4 We Play Sports: BC Tigers Beyond Dance: BC Cubs - 1 Magic Dance: Barat Center

define Sacred Heart Greenwich

courses like this in the past, and In a town where youth sports can

even for adults, it’s eye-opening.

often feel high-stakes, Tiger Time

You might see a student you’ve

offers something rare: a safe, low-

known for years in a whole new

pressure entry point. “It can be really

light.” If she had to sum it up in

hard for a ten-year-old to start a new

three words? “Enriching. Fun.

sport in a competitive environment,”

Collaborative.”

Coaches Mix of Sacred Heart Greenwich coaches, teachers, and local vendors

Pei says. “Tiger Time gives them that October 2025

27

FIND YOUR ROAR! Hidden in this grid are words that represent the spirit of Sacred Heart Greenwich Athletics. How many can you find?

U U V N A F H U S T L E O P R L WORDS TO FIND: 1.TIGERS 2.HEART 3.GREENWICH

Q M F O B I S F D H V F W H T J N P V T L E P M C E I E Z E I J J Y U L P L S S S X Y K W A N H

4.TEAMWORK

H R B R U D E N R H E F R R O C

5.LEADERSHIP

O T V Y P H W Y E E C L G T I I

6.HUSTLE 7.CHAMPION

N N V G W O S P B F G A Z M P W

8.HONOR

O U X R Z C S O O A E I O H M N

9.DEFENSE 10.ENERGY

R O M E H K K E C R L D T C A E

11.PURPOSE

H C Q N O E M S Z C A L E Q H E

12.GRIT 13.VOLLEYBALL

A S O E L Y X R S E E O M C C R

14.FIELD HOCKEY

G S F C Y K I L X Q I R R S A G

15.CROSS COUNTRY 16.SOCCER

R O Q V O I P V H S Y S P Z D Q

17.COACH

I R H L E A D E R S H I P R P D

18.ROAR

T C K X Z R D K R O W M A E T I K V B X A O Z R L Z R K Y X E O

Challenge: Find all 18 words in under 5 minutes then tag @goshgreenwich with your time to be featured in the next issue of One Roar!

WINTER SPORTS UPPER SCHOOL

Monday, Nov 10: meetings @ 3:30pm expectations, information, speaker

MIDDLE SCHOOL Monday, Nov. 17: meeting for studentathletes @ 2:35 pm in classrooms Monday, Dec. 1: Practices/Tryouts for all MS Sports Begin

SAVE THE DATE JANUARY 10, 2026

ALUMNAE SWIM MEET ALUMNAE BASKETBALL LUNCH

COME ROAR WITH US!!!

INTERESTSED IN A SACRED HEART GREENWICH EDUCATION? Nov 6th 9:00 am - 11:00 am Admission Tour Day Nov 7th 9:30 am Barat Center Open House (3-5 year old boys and girls)

Scan the QR Code to learn more about the application process.

ONE ROAR

LEAD WITH LEAD WITH HEART. HEART. ACT ACT WITH WITH PURPOSE PURPOSE