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ONE ROAR ONEROAR

YOUR ALL-ACCESS LOOK INSIDE OUR ATHLETICS PROGRAMS INSIDE

ONE ROAR ONEROAR

MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

CelebratingaSeasonofGrowth, Grit,andSisterhood

Thisfallhasbeennothingshortof extraordinaryforSacredHeart GreenwichAthletics.With347 student-athletesparticipatingacross 25competitiveteamsandone developmentaltennisprogram,the energyonthewater,ourfields, courts,andinourhallshasbeen electric Fromthrillingvictoriesto meaningfultraditions,our communityhascometogetherto celebratethepowerofSacredHeart GreenwichAthleticsandthebondsit builds

Aspecialhighlightoftheseason cameoverColumbusDayweekend, whenourvarsityvolleyballteam traveledtoDuchesneAcademyofthe SacredHeartinHouston,TXto competeintheSacredHeartNetwork VolleyballTournament.Overthe courseoftheweekend,theteam playedwithincredibleheart,focus, andteamwork;earningthe championshiptitleandbringingthe trophyhometoGreenwich.The experiencewasaboutsomuchmore thanwins;itwasawonderful opportunitytoconnectwithother SacredHeartschools,shareinthe spiritoftheNetwork,andcelebrate whatitmeanstobepartof somethingbiggerthanourselves

Throughouttheseason,allofour MiddleandUpperSchoolstudent-

athletesfacedchallenges,bothon andoffthefield,withgrit,teamwork, andanunshakablecommitmentto excellence.Whetherovercoming toughlosses,injuries,orthe pressuresofbalancingacademics andcompetition,ourstudentathleteshavecontinuedtorise above,growingstrongertogether witheachtesttheyfaced.Asthe seasonprogressed,thesemoments ofperseverancemadeour celebrationsofSeniorDayseven moremeaningful.Wearedeeply gratefulforourseniorstudentathletes.Theirleadership, determinationandhearthelped shapethespiritofSacredHeart Greenwichathleticsthisfall.

Beyondthescoreboard,countless hourshavebeendevotedtoteam buildingbothonandoffthefield.Our coachesandathletesknowthat successbeginswithconnection,and thisfallwehaveseenthesisterhood thatliesattheheartofSacredHeart Greenwich Athleticsgrowstronger thanever Whetherduringbusrides, post-gamereflections,orquiet momentsofencouragementbetween teammates,thebondsbeingformed arepowerfulandlasting.

IntheMiddleSchool,weare especiallyexcitedaboutthework beingdonetocultivateastrong teamculture.ThankstoteambuildingsessionsledbyCoachHart, ouryoungathletesarelearningthat

theimportanceoftrust, communication,andshared values.Itisourhopethatthese importantlessonswillserveallof ourstudent-athletesfarbeyond thegame Meanwhile,intheLowerSchool, ourTigerTimeprogramhas expanded,providingevenmore opportunitiesforouryoungest studentstoexplorenewsportsand stayactive.Thisfall,students haveenthusiasticallyparticipated insquash,soccer,tennis,and swimming,learningfoundational skillsanddiscoveringthejoyof movementandteamwork.

Fromourseasonedvarsityplayers toouryoungeststudents,thisfall hasbeenacelebrationof everythingSacredHeartGreenwich Athleticsstandsfor:excellence, growth,andsisterhood.Aswelook aheadtotherestoftheyear,wedo sowithgratitudeforour communityandexcitementforall that’sstilltocome.

Mrs.LaurieRousseau DirectorofAthletics

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

InsidetheHuddle:How CoachStuartHasBuilt theSoccer Program

Forthepasttenyears,Coach Stuarthasbeencultivatinga culturethatcelebrateshard workandrespectaboveallelse.

SAACSpotlight: Celebrating Homecoming2025

EmmaM.’27andSashaM.’28 sharehowSAACisbuilding community,spirit,andsupport onandoffthefield.

20 TheQuietEdge:How OurTrainersTurn CareintoCompetitive Advantage

Stepinsideourstate-of-the-art trainingroom,wherewekeep ourstudent-athleteshealthy, strong,andreadytocompete.

LeadwithHeart.Act withPurpose.

PresidentMichaelBaber discussesthis year’s theme,andhowSacred Heartstudentsareturning itintoactiononthefields andcourts.

18 TigersforLife: FrannyO’Brien’22, NotreDame’26

AlumnaFrannyO’Brienisthe personificationofLeadwith Heart.ActwithPurpose.

23 TigerTime=Game Time:Building Confidence, Coordination,and Community

It’snevertoosoontolearnhow toleadonandoffthefield

DirectorofAthletics

Mrs.LaurieRousseauP’27

ManagingEditor

Mrs.AyoHartP’24P’24, Head Coach, Basketball, Assistant Coach, Track and Field

Editors

Mrs.TriciaBoyle, Communications and Marketing Manager

Mrs.LauraPlunkett, Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications

Photographers

Mr.ChrisPope

GraceV.’26

Contributors

Mr.SilvioFerraro

Mr.PhilGiackette

Mrs.BethWilson-JordanP’13,’17,’18

MissKarenPanarella

Student-AthleteAdvisoryCommittee

ScarlettP.’26

SAACRole:Co-President Sports:LacrosseandSoccer

JaidenV.’26

SAACRole:Co-VicePresident Sports:Soccer

JanieD ’26

AriC.’26

SAACRole:Co-President Sports:Soccer

SAACRole:Co-VicePresident Sports:FieldHockey,IceHockey,Golf

EmmaM.’27

Sports:Lacrosse,Basketball,andFieldHockey

SAACRole:Secretary

SashaM’28

SAACRole:2028Representative Sports:Lacrosse,Icehockey,FieldHockey

LivS ’27

SAACRole:MediaRepresentative Sports:FieldHockey

MiaKinney’29

SAACRole:2029Representative Sports:FieldHockey

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FROM THE EDITOR

DearSacredHeartGreenwichCommunity,

Ifthefirstissueof One Roar celebratedourcollectiveprideinSacredHeart GreenwichAthletics,thissecondissuecelebratessomethingevendeeper:the heartbehindtheroar

Everyseasonbringsitsownstory,butthisfall,ourfirstseasonoftheyear,we’ve beeninspiredbyonemessagethatechoesacrosseveryfield,court,and classroom:LeadwithHeart,ActwithPurpose.It’smorethanaschooltheme, it’sachallengeandapromise Itremindsusthattrueleadershipisn’tabouttitles ortrophies;it’sabouteffort,empathy,andthewaywelifteachotheralongthe way

Inthisissue,weseethatspiritinaction.OurfeatureontheSoccerprogramandaconversationwithHead CoachStuartSmithhighlightsthepowerofculture,connection,andcommitmentandhowsharedpurpose turnsagroupofindividualsintoateam IntheLowerSchool,weshinea spotlightonTigerTime,wherethe seedsofsportsmanshipareplantedearlyasouryoungeststudent-athleteslearnthejoyofcompetition, teamwork,andbelonging.

Wealsogobehindthesceneswithourincredibleathletictrainers,ChristinaCauliffeandDannySegui,whose careandexpertisekeepourstudent-athleteshealthyandstrongoftenwithoutfanfarebutalwayswith gratitude.OurSAACspotlighttakesalookattheplanningthatwentintoourHomecomingPepRallyand celebratesthegreatsenseofcommunityasourLowerSchoolandUpperSchoolconvenedinDuboistoget pumpedupfortheweekend.AndwecaughtupwithFrannyO’Brien‘22,aformerTigernowcompetingwith theNotreDameFightingIrishLacrosseTeam,apowerfulreminderofwherepassionandperseverancecan lead

One Roar continuestobeaspacethatunitesourentireathleticscommunityfromtheLowerSchool playgroundtothecollegesidelines.It’sacelebrationofthepeople,purpose,andpridethatmakeSacred HeartGreenwichAthleticstrulyspecial.

Wewanttohearfromyou!Whetheryou'reacurrentstudent-athlete,analum,acoach,aproudparent,ora SacredHeartGreenwichsuperfan,weinviteyoutocontributetofutureissues.Submitarticles,photos, letters,orideasbyemailingharta@cshct.org.

HeartGreenwichstudent-athletes Andhere’sto One Roar

INSIDE THE HUDDLE: HOW COACH STUART HAS BUILT A PROGRAM

Walkontothebeautifullykeptpitch atSacredHeartGreenwich,andyou feelitbeforeyouseeit:the rhythmicpulseofanorganized warm-up,seniorsquietlysettingthe tone,andyoungerplayerssnapping intodrillsonasinglecall.Itwasn’t alwayslikethisthough.Inhistenth seasonatSacredHeartGreenwich and24thoverall,CoachStuartwill tellyouthatthebiggestchange hasn’tbeenaformationorafancy drill.It’sculture.

“Tenyearsago,Ihadalotofmultisportathletes-notmanyyearroundsoccerplayers,sotheway thatIhadtocoachthemandtryand engagethem,orpushthemwas differenttothewaythatIcan approachthisteam.Backthen,just

gettingthegirlsoutonthefield wasachallenge,callingthemin wouldtakethreeorfourminutes Thisyear,yousayitonceand they'realloutthere Mostofthe time,youdon'tevenhavetocall themin.”

Astheprogramhasevolved,soto hasCoachStuart’s coachingstyle. Hecreditshimselfforhavinga betterunderstandingoftheneeds ofthestudent-athletesandwhat drivesthem

Onethingthathasn’tchangedis CoachStuart’scorevalues. Irrespectiveofthemakeupofhis roster,Coachsaysrespectis paramount. “Respectingeach other,tryingtoembraceeach otherandalloweachpersontobe

herself,wetalkaboutthatalot. Theworkrate,theworkethic,and thefocuswithinpracticeis nonnegotiable Thathastobe thereeachday,”explainsCoach Stuart Heholdshimselfandhiscoaching stafftothosesamestandards.

“Everydayhastobeworthwhile,” heexplains.“Iknowwhatthegirls aregivingup,whatthey're sacrificingaspeople,asstudents, soanytimewe'regoingtoget together,Imakesurethatthey're gettingsomethingpurposeful doneeachday.Imakesuretoplan eachdaycarefully.Recoverydays haveagoal.Finishingdayshavea goal.”

CoachStuartisthepersonification ofleadingwithheartandacting

Theabilitytoearnthosepointscomesfromaroster withthemostdepth,allwithCoachStuartatthehelm. With22players,twogoalkeepers,andmeaningful contributionsfromfreshmenthroughseniors,the depthisaluxuryandapuzzle.“Ourdepthisahuge advantage,”Coachsays.“Wecanmakenumerous substitutionsandgetadifferentlooktochangea game”Thechallengeiskeepingeveryoneengaged whenmatchesdon’topenupearly.TheTigershave dominatedpossessionandchancecreationin

Withallthesepiecestothepuzzle,CoachStuartwill toggleformationswhenneededbutnotoften, withpurpose.Thatpurposealsoshowsupintheway heorganizestheseason Thevarsityteamsplitsits scheduleintothree,five-game‘mini-seasons,’witha pointstargetforeachblock.“Abigthingforusisjust thenextgame,”explainsCoach.“Thenextgameisthe foundationofeverythingwedo.Whilewehavethat mini-seasongoal,we'rereallydialedinonthenext game,andgettingpointsfromit.”

multiplegames(70%possessionand29shotsinone game)yetthescorelinehassometimeslaggedthe performanceandeffort.“Whenwedon’tfinish,it’s hardertorotateasmuchaswe’dlike,”Coachadmits. “Sowecommunicate Wecheckinconstantly Wemake surethegirlsknowwhyachangehappenedordidn’t. Ourseniorshavebeenbrilliantsupportingteammates whohaven’tgottenminutesonagivenday.”That claritybuildstrust.It’snotaboutfavorites;it’sabout rolesthatfitthemoment Oneexample:adefender neededtocounterasinglespeedyforward,“therewas onedefenderwhocouldn’tcomeoutbecausesheshut herdownthreetimes.Thatwasherjob.”Playerssee thelogic,buyin,andstayready.

particularlyearlyintheyearsothegroupisfluentin multiplelooks.NomatterwhatshapeSacredHeart Greenwichtakes,theprinciplesdon’tchange “It doesn'tmatterwhatformationweplayorwhat peopleareoutthere,theprinciplesofplayarestill there.”

Thisconsistencyextendstothebench Withlongtime assistantCoachSilvioFerraro,whomthegirls affectionatelycallSeñorbecauseofhislongstint teachingSpanishatSacredHeartGreenwich,onstaff withCoachStuartsincedayone,playersknowwhat toexpect Coachbelievesthatcontinuityisa competitiveedge.

Anotherkeystrengthoftheprogramisitsdurability. Injurieshappen,soccerisafullspeedcontactsport withnoprotectivegear,butourathleteshave sufferedfewersoft-tissuesetbackswithfaster turnarounds “Ourgameisphysicallydemanding, andtheseathletesarestillgrowing,”Coachsays.“We

OneRoar

teachrecoverylikeanyother skill(sleep,hydration,useofthe recoveryboots,ice,rolling,bandactivationinwarm-ups)sowe’re availabletoplay.”Thateducationhappensdaily,ofteninquiet momentsbeforeandaftersessions.It’snoaccidentthatinour conversationinjurypreventionshowsupasacorevaluealongside workrateandrespect.

Theteamsitsat10-4-2atthetimeofpublishingincludingahistoric accomplishmentthisseason.Forthefirsttimeinprogramhistory, SacredHeartGreenwichhasdefeatedfourboardingschoolsinone season:Taft,Kent,Millbrook,andSuffield AskCoachStuartwhat partofthegamecanbecreditedtotheteam’ssuccess,andhe’ll say,“Itstartswiththewarm-up.Generally,ifwecontrolthewarmup,wecontrolthefirst10.”Theseniorcaptainsownthatmoment, checkingenergy,andsharpeningthefocusoftheirteammates.“If wegetasensethefocusisn'tthere,wekindofgetonthatquickly inthewarm-up.”Thecaptainsdon’tjustgivepregamespeeches andrunstretches.Theymeetweeklywiththecoachingstaffto reviewtheweek:energylevels,academiccrunches,anyrumblings ofdrama(there’sbeen“very,verylittle”thisyear),andhowto integratenewcomers.CoachStuartispurposefulinhisleadership mentoring.Sometimesthecoachesstepbackandletcaptainsrun asegmentofpracticesettingscrimmageteams,leadingthe huddle,ordeliveringthefinalwordpostgame “They’refindingthe balancebetweenwhentopushandwhentosupport,”Smith notes.“They’recognizantandsensitiveoftheyoungerplayersand howtheymotivatethemandintegratethemintothegroup.” Respectrunsthroughitall:respectforeachother,officials,

⚡

opponents,andthegameitself.It’s thekindofculturereadilynoticed byparentsandvisitingfans.

Askedforafavoritememory,Coach wentstraightto2023’s13–0FAArun andthefirstNEPSACberthin programhistory.“Idon'tthinkthey werenecessarilythemosttalented teamintheleagueoranyonehad themasthefavorites,”hesays “At onepointwelostacoupleofkey players,buttheyhadsomuchdrive, ledbytheseniors.I'llalways rememberthat.Theyweresucha specialgroup.Thatwillalwaysbe hardtobeat,butagain,itwasjust abouthavingthatheartanddesire asateam.”

Lightning Round with Coach Stuart ⚡

Iwearthesamesneakerswhenwe’reonawinningstreak

What’sthenextchapter?Sustained relevanceatthetopofNEPSAC.The barisn’tmerely toqualify;it’sto competeforsemifinalsandfinals yearafteryear “We’vemadehuge strides,”Coachsays.“Nowwewant tolifttheceiling.”Andthissquadis determinedtoLeaveNoDoubt. October2025

LEAD WITH HEART,

ACT WITH PURPOSE.

WhenPresidentMichaelBaber, talksaboutthisyear’sSacred HeartGreenwichtheme, Lead with Heart, Act with Purpose, hedoesn’ttreatitlikeaslogan. Hetreatsitlikeacompass.One thatpointsbacktothevery originsofaSacredHeart educationandforwardtowhat itmeanstocompete,learn, andlivewithintentiontoday.

“Itallbeginswithpurpose,” Babersays.“Fromthevery beginning,SophieBaratwas askedbyherbrother:What’s yourpurposeinlife?In philosophy,theycallittelos, yourend,youraim.Shefound herpurposeineducationin

helpinggirlsbecome successfulinthislifeandthe next.”

Thatsenseofcallingleads directlyintothesecondhalfof thetheme:actingwith purpose.Baberbelievesthat purposeisneverdetached fromone’sgifts “Godisn’t goingtogiveyouapurpose that’soverherebutgiftyoufor somethingoverthere,”hesays. “Yourpurposeandyourgiftsgo handinhand”

Andthethemetrulycomes aliveinhowitplaysoutonthe field,thecourt,andthetrack. InSacredHeartGreenwich athletics,leadingwithheart

andactingwithpurposeisn’t justaboutperformance,it’s abouthowyouplay.

ForBaber,athleticsatSacred HeartGreenwichhasalways reflectedthecultureand climateoftheschoolitself.He rememberswhenhiswife,a three-sportathletefromthe Classof1979,

Healsopointstotheways studentscareacrossdivisions; UpperSchoolstudentstutoring embodiedbothfiercecompetitivenessanddeepkindness.“She hadthatfireinherbelly,”herecalls.“Shewasalwaysabout excellenceinthepracticeofsport Butsheneversacrificedittothe degreethatshewouldoverpower.Shehadthatperfectcombo, andIthinkitcamefromthecultureandclimatehere.”

Thatbalanceofgritwithoutcruelty,confidencewithoutarrogance iswhatBaberbelieves Lead with Heart, Act with Purpose captures best.“Onecanbekindandalsodrivetothebasket;havetheskill andtheconfidencetodoit.Itdoesn’tmeanyouwalkoverthe playerafteryou’vedriventothebasket.Youputyourhanddown andhelpherup.”Hesmilesashesaysit,becausethatidealof competitiveexcellenceandcharacterintertwinedisn’ttheoretical anymore.“Wenowhaveboththeskillandthegrace,”Babersays proudly.“Weplaywithpassionandwithdignityandgrace.”

Thatbalancedidn’thappenovernight.Baberrecallsthatwhenhe joinedSacredHeartGreenwichin2000,theathleticprogramhad heart,butperhapsnotyettheedgewehavetoday “Wehad passionforathletics,butweweren’tasforcefulaswearenow,”he says.“Wedidn’thavethegrittinesswehavenow.”

Thechange,hebelieves,camewithSacredHeartGreenwich’s decisiontocompetenotjustintheFAAbutalsoinNEPSAC(New EnglandPrepSchoolAthleticCouncil “Whenyou’replaying againstChoateorHotchkiss,schoolsrecruitingfromaroundthe

Askedwhereavisitormightsee ourthemeinaction,Baber doesn’thesitate.“Apractice,”he says.“That’swhereyou’dseeit mostclearly.Aplayerdriveshard togoal,maybefoulssomeone, andthenimmediatelyapologizes Orsheaccidentallyhitsthegoalie andchecksintomakesureshe’s okay That’swhatLeadwithHeart lookslike.”

“Weplaywithpassion,but withdignityandgrace” ~MichaelBaber,President world,yourealizethat competitionmakesyoubetter,” Baberexplains.“Ourgirls,our coaches,everyoneraisedtheir game.”

MiddleSchoolstudents,or youngerstudentslearning throughserviceprojects.

“PackingabusforMidnightRun, that’sactingwithpurpose,”he says.

Baberbelievesthetheme’s strengthliesinhowitgrows throughouttheyear.“Sometimes youdon’tfullyunderstandwhatit meansuntilDecember,”he admits.“Thenamoment

TEAM OF THE WEEK (OCT 13):

VARSITY VOLLEYBALL

Champions - Sacred Heart Network Volleyball Tournament

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

EventRecap:

ThevarsityvolleyballteamtraveledtoHouston,TexastocompeteintheSacredHeartNetwork SchoolsTournament.Theteamwentundefeatedagainsttoughcompetitionandrepresented ourschoolwithpride.BeingpartoftheSacredHeartNetworkmeansconnectingwithoursister schoolsacrossthecountry,sharinginatraditionofexcellence,friendship,andsportsmanship.

happens,acomebackwin,aservicetrip,apersonal breakthroughandsuddenlyyouseeanewdimension.”

IfpurposedefineswhySacredHeartGreenwichexists, servicedefineshowwelive.“Fromthebeginning,service hasbeennonnegotiablehere,”Babersays.“SisterMartha Roughanusedtosay,‘There’sonlyonereasonsomeone won’tgraduatefromSacredHeart:iftheydon’tdotheir communityservice.’Shemightnothavemeanttobe takenliterally,butshewastryingtoputalineinthesand. That'showvaluableitis”Baberbelievesserviceisthe antidotetoentitlement.“Ifyou’vespentyearsworking withsinglemothersorthehomeless,itchangesyou,”he says.“Itengendersgratitudeforlife,foryourcoaches,for yourschoolcommunity”

Inaworldwheresuccessoftengoeshandinhandwith self-promotion, Lead with Heart. Act with Purpose. feels refreshinglyradical Itchallengeseverystudent-athleteto competefiercelyandcompassionately,toplaytowinand playwithgrace.AndwhenSacredHeartteamssteponthe field,court,ortrackthisyear,they’lldosoguidedby somethinggreaterthanascoreboard:abeliefthat leadershipandpurposebeginintheheartandthatthe truestvictoriesaretheonesthatshapewhotheybecome.

⚡ Lightning Round with Mr. Baber ⚡

AtSacredHeartGreenwich, winninglookslike...

Dignity

Whatourthemelookslikein actioninsixwords

Beingourbestselveseveryday.

Ifyoucouldpickapregame songforthewholeschool

ThisGirlisonFire Anytraditionsthatyouwant MorefiercepeprallieswithTshirt cannons

October2025

INSIDE SAAC: BRINGING SPIRIT, STRUCTURE,

AND THE STUDENT

VOICE TO OUR ATHLETICS

TheSacredHeartGreenwichStudent-Athlete AdvisoryCouncil(SAAC),madeupofmulti-sport athletesacrossnearlyeveryteam,isbringingnew energy,clearercommunication,andastronger senseofconnectionbetweenstudentsandthe athleticsdepartmentandfaculty.

ThegroupmetinearlyOctobertoplanfortheallschoolPepRallyduringHomecomingWeekend. “Lastyear’swasfun,”saidEmma,“buthonestly,it wasalittlechaotic Noonereallyknewwhatwas happening.Thisyear,we’vemadeafullschedule withtimeslots,emcees,andaplanforeach activity.”Thatscheduleincludedeverythingfrom relayracesandtug-of-wartoahulahoop challenge Now,lookingback,thePepRallywaseverything SAACenvisionedandmore TheUpperSchooland LowerSchoolgatheredintheDuboisGymon October17tocelebrateourfallteamsandgetthe entirecommunitypumpedupforafantastic lineupofgamesonHomecomingWeekend.“It’s

reallyfunthattheLowerSchoolgetsinvolved,” Sashaadded.“Itmakesthewholeschoolfeel connected,andwegettoshowtheyoungergirls whatSacredHeartspiritlookslike.”

SAAC’sworkdoesn’tstopwiththepeprally.They continuetomeetmonthly,sharingideasforfuture eventsandinitiativesthatenhancethestudentathleteexperience.“WhatattractedmetoSAAC wasthemission,”saidEmma.“Iwanttofeellike we’redoingsomethingtohelpbethatvoicefor student-athletessotheyknowtheyhavesomeone theycanturnto.”

SAAChasalsobeenrampingupitssocialmedia presenceontheirdedicatedInstagramaccount (@SHGSAAC)thataddsapersonal,playfultouchto athleticscoverage.Recentpostshavefeatured teamhighlights,“What’sintheBox”challenges, andseasonalpollslikefavoriteHalloweencandy. “TheGoSacredHeartaccountismoreformal,” Emmasaid.“Wewantourstobefunandhavemore ofastudentvoice.We’retryingtryingtohighlighta

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

SAACalsoaimstoimprovecommunicationbetweenstudentathletes,theirteachers,andtheAthleticDepartment With representativesfromnearlyeverysport,SAACservesasabridge ensuringthateveryvoiceisheard,fromfreshmentovarsity captains “Ithinkit'simportantthatwhenwehaveanawaygame, andIcan'tgettoatest,IhavesomeonetobackmeifIneedhelp,” explainsEmma.“AndIcancontacttheSAACpresidentsotheycan contacttheAD.

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

Ifanyoneknowshowtobalanceathleticsandacademics,it’s EmmaandSasha.Botharethree-sportathletes,jugglingpractices, classes,andleadershipresponsibilitieswithasenseofpurposethat reflectsourschool’sthemethisyear: Lead with Heart. Act with Purpose. October2025

“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

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!

OneRoar

400+MiddleSchoolandUpper Schoolstudentsparticipatein morethan54teamseachyear

FairchesterAthletic Association(FAA)

PlayersoftheYear

5 since2020

168 since2020 All-League Student-Athletes All-Americans

13 since2020 Academic All-Americans

TIGERS FOR LIFE: A CONVERSATION WITH FRANNY O’BRIEN ’22

NOTRE DAME ’26

WhenFrannyO’Briensprintsontothefieldinherblueandgold NotreDameuniform,shecarriesmorethanherlacrossestick. Shecarriesalegacyshapedbyfamily,faith,andheryearsat SacredHeartGreenwich.AtSacredHeart,Frannywasthekind ofstudent-athletewhoneversatstillforlong.Betweensoccer, basketball,andlacrosse,shelearnedlessonsthathavecarried herallthewaytotheFightingIrish.“Playingmultiplesports gavemeincrediblytransferableskills,”shesays “Footwork, vision,playmakingIQ,everythingcarriedoverfromonesportto thenext.Butmorethanthat,itshapedmymindset.Statsnever matteredtome Itwasalwaysabouttheteam”

WhenFrannylooksbackonhertimeatSacredHeartGreenwich, hermemoriesaren’taboutcrazywinsortiebreakinggoals.“I rememberthegoodmomentsandlaughsandfunwiththose girls,”shesays “That’swhatmattersaboutsports It'sabout bringingpeopletogether.Beingathree-sportathletetaughtme tolovetheprocessmorethantheoutcome.”

Thatperspectiveoffocusingonthejoyinthejourneyhas carriedFrannythroughfourdemandingyearsofcollegiate

competition.“AtNotreDame,we’re playingallyearlong.Soit'simportantto focusonthosethingsthatreallymatter. Andthat'sjustbeingpartofateam”

Steppingontothefieldasafreshmanin SouthBend,Frannybroughtthesame confidenceandcompetitivenessshe cultivatedinSacredHeart’sFAAand NEPSACmatchups.“Thelevelofplayat SacredHeartGreenwichpreparedme morethanIrealized,”shesays “Wewere playingtoptalenteveryweek.Iwas playingagainstgirlsthatI'mnowplaying withorhavebeenplayingagainstfor threeyears.Comingfromthat environmentgavemetheconfidenceto playatthenextlevel.”

Thatfoundationprovedvitalasshe transitionedtotheintensityofACC lacrosse.“Itwasn’tjustskill.Itwasthe mentality.”

Lastyear,FrannywasjoinedatNotre DamebyhersisterLilaSacredHeart

Greenwich’24 “LilajoiningmeatNotreDamehasbeen thegreatestgiftofmylife,saysFranny.“It'sincredibleto havethefamilycontinuationofourlegacyhere It motivates,fulfills,andinspiresmeeveryday.”The reunionhasbeenascompetitiveasithasbeen emotional “Wealmostalwayspartnerupindrills becauseIknowshe’llpushmethehardest.She challengesme,comfortsme,andmotivatesme Being sistersandteammatesissomethingreallyspecial.Ithas madeusbothbetter.”

ThatfamilyconnectiondeepenseverytimeFrannylooks downatherwristbeforeagamewhereshewritesthe number14,atributetoherlate

Googlecalendardowntothesecondofeveryday,”she laughs.“Butseriously,it’saboutcarvingouttimefor self-care:icecreamwithfriends,studysessions,driving tothelakewithLila.”

Evenaftersufferingapreseasoninjurythatsidelinedher forweekslastyear,Frannyfoundstrengthinroutine.“I focusedonwhatIcouldcontrol,”shesays “Rehab, nutrition,sleep,smallgoals.Itwasoneofthehardest thingsI’vedoneinmylife,butluckily,Iwasincredibly supportedbymyteammates,myfriendsandmysister”

Nowasenior,Frannyleansonherresilience,gritand experiencetoleadtheNotreDameWomensLacrosse father,FrankO’Brienatwo sportathleteatNotre Dame’88 “Wearing41 myfreshmanyearand now14forthelasttwo yearsdefinitelyconnects metomylatefatherina waywhereI’mplayingfor someoneelse,”shesays.“It remindsmeI’mplayingfor somethingbiggerthanmyself On harddays,itgivesmeareasonto keepgoing.Ongooddays,itgivesme somethingtobeproudof Wearinghis numberhereatNotreDameisjusta dreamthatI'vehadsinceIwasyoung.So I’mquiteliterallylivingthedream

NotreDamelacrossecarriesastoriedtraditionandskyhighexpectations,butFrannyembracesthechallenge withgratitude “Somethingwetalkaboutalotonour teamisthatpressureisaprivilege,”sheexplains.“It’san honortowearthisuniform Seeingitthatwaykeepsme grounded.It’saboutgratitude,notstress.”

Stayinggroundedisimportantgiventheloadeddaysthat Frannyandherteammatesendure.Shemanagesthe demandswithdisciplineandbalance “Ihavea

team.Sheseesleadership assomethingearned,not given.“Culturehasa top-downeffect,”she says.“Younger teammatesdowhatthey see.Itrytoactandspeak inwaysthatreflectmy moralsandvaluesandour team’s,makingthatconscious decisionandefforteveryday.”

Shealsobelievesleadershipbegins offthefield “Iplaceanincredible valueonrelationshipsontheteam.I think it’sveryimportanttoknowevery teammateasanindividualoutsideoflacrosse Iliketospendtimewithgirlsindifferentclasses, ages,andbackgrounds.Whenyouhavereal relationships,communicationiseasierandtrustis stronger.Youcanhavethehardconversationswhen youcareabouteachother”

It’snosurprisethatFrannywasoneofthemost belovedtwoseasoncaptainsduringhertimeatSacred HeartGreenwich.Lookingback,shewishesshe’d knownonethingsooner:thattheharddaysmatter most.“Inhighschool,thingswentrelativelysmoothly,” shesays.“Butincollege,therearemorevariables: injuries,exams,weather,fatigue I’velearnedthoseare October2025

BECAUSE OF YOU: OUR COMMUNITY OF CHAMPIONS

Heartfelt gratitude from our community. Because of you, we thrive.”

“Yourhardwork andpassiondoes notgounnoticed.”

themostimportantdaystoshowup.Thedaysyouleastwanttobethere arewhenyougrowthemost.”ToyoungerSacredHeartGreenwich student-athletesdreamingofcollegesports,heradviceissimple butprofound,“Trustyourselfandyourpreparation.Confidence comesfromtheworkyou’veputin.You’vetrainedforthis moment.Youalreadyhavewhatyouneed.Trustyourlovefor thegameandwhenthemomentcomes,youdon'treallyneed todoanythingmoreorless.”

Assheentersherownseniorseason,Franny’sgoalisclear:help NotreDamewomen’slacrossemakehistory.“We’veneverwona nationalchampionship,”shesays.“That’sbeenourgoalsinceIwasa freshman Thatandwewanttorepresentouruniversitytothebestofour abilitiesandplaytobethebestteaminthecountry.”Offthefield,hergoalsreachbeyondlacrosse.“Iwant toleavealegacyI’mproudof,”shesays.“Onethatgoesbeyondlacrosseandhopefullybuildsgreatlifelong lastingrelationships.”

THE QUIET EDGE: HOW OUR TRAINERS

TURN CARE INTO COMPETITIVE

ADVANTAGE

Theydon’twearjerseys Theydon’tscoregoalsorspike balls.Buteverypractice,everygame,everycomeback storyatSacredHeartGreenwichcanbetracedbacktotwo ofourcommunity’sbiggestunsungheroes,Mrs Cauliffe andMr.Segui.Betweenjugglingicepacksandstudyingto keepupontreatmentinnovations,theircareformsthe invisiblebackboneofSacredHeartGreenwichathletics.

Bythetimemoststudentsheadtolunch,Seguihas alreadybeenoncampusforhours.“Igetinaround10:00 or10:30,”hesays “SometimesI’llgetmyownworkoutin, butI’mhereearlyincaseastudent-athleteneeds treatmentbeforeclasses;maybesomeonegothurtover theweekendorneedstobere-evaluated”Fromthere,the daydoesn’tstop.Icemachinestofix.Towelstowash.Aframebannerstohaultothefield “Wewearalotofhats,” Seguilaughs.“Settingupgoalsandwateratthefields, tapingankles;whateverittakes.”

Bynoon,thetrainingroomfillswithstudent-athletes grabbingice,swappingstories,andsqueezingin treatmentbetweenclasses. Thatcareextendswell beyondthephysical.Andthoughtheylaughwhentheycall

themselves“thecooldepartment,”there’struthinthe joke.“We’rerelatable,”Seguisays.“Athleticsiswhere kidscantietheirhairupandjustbethemselves. EverywhereI’vebeen,I’vetakenprideincreatinga safespace.Somegirlscomeinjusttosayhiorshare somethingpositive.Youhearaboutthewins,theteam chemistry,thelaughter.That’sthegoodstuff.They alsomightneedabreakfromatoughclass,atough practice,oratoughday”Cauliffenods “We’re listenersfirst.Theycanventhere.Butwealsopush themtofindsolutions.Ifastudentcomesinupset,I’ll say,‘Okay,what’snext?What’stheplan?’Ithelps themrefocus.”Thisoftenblursthelinebetween mentorandATC “Sometimesthey’llhearadvicefrom methatthey’vealreadyheardfromaparentor coach,”Seguisays.“Buthearingitfromanotheradult canmakeitclick.”

ForCauliffe,themorningoftenbeginsdifferently As theHealthandWellnessDepartmentChair,she balancesteachingeighth,tenth,andtwelfth-grade healthwhilecoordinatingspecialprogrammingfor gradesK–12.“ImightbeteachingCPRinthemorning, helpingwiththehealthcurriculuminthelowerschool, andthenjumpingrightintotreatmentsand communicationwithcoaches,”sheexplains.

Betweenthem,CauliffeandSeguicareforan astonishingnumberofstudent-athletes.“Onalight day,40to50,”Seguisays.Somecomeforrehab,others forreassurance Therearetapedankles,icebaths, compressionboots,and,yes,theoccasionalBand-Aid forascrapedknee.Ifthere’soneconstantintheirwork, it’sunpredictability.Andthemostunpredictablepart oftheday?“Gamesarewildcards,”Cauliffesays.“The refs,thepace,theenergy;thingscanchangein seconds.Preparedness,”sheadds,“goesfarbeyond reaction Everyyear,wereviewouremergencyaction planwitheverycoachfromlightningpoliciestoCPR. Everycoachneedstoknowhowtorespondbeforewe evensteponthefield.”Herstudents,too,arelearning thoselife-savingskills.“Icertifyaboutathirdofour studentsinCPReachyear,”Cauliffesays “Atthispoint, I’mconfidentthatatleasthalfofeveryteamcouldhelp inanemergencytosomecapacity.Theyunderstand whatanemergencyactionplanisandtheyunderstand

importantpartsofprevention.“Thegirlsherehave accesstoequipmentyouwon’tfindinmosthigh schools,”Cauliffesays.“We’retalkingaboutcollegelevelresourcesevenprofessional-gradeinsome cases.”Seguiadds,“We’vegotacombomachinethat usesultrasoundandStimtherapytogether.That’s somethingI’veonlyseeninD1programs.”

Foralltheiradvancedequipment,therealdifferenceis stillinthehumantouch.“Caringisaskill,”Cauliffe says “Anyonecantapeanankle Butknowingwhento listen,whentopush,andwhentoholdback;that’s whereexperiencematters.”Betweenthem,thetwo haveover25yearsofcombinedexperience,frompro andcollegiateprogramstocommunitycollegesand physicaltherapyclinics Cauliffeonceworkedwiththe G-LeagueKnicks,SeguiatColumbiaUniversity.Both bringthoselessonshere.

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.” howtostaycalminthathighstress situation”

“The

AskCauliffeandSeguiwhat separatesgoodtrainingfromgreat training,andthey’llbothpointto prevention “We’renotjustfixing injuries,”Seguiexplains.“We’re studyingpatternsandtrends”“If fourorfiveplayersfromthesame teamcomeinwithhipflexorpain,”Cauliffeadds,“I’m goingstraighttothefield I’llwatchtheirwarm-up Maybesomething’smissing.Maybetheyhavepoor mechanics,maybethey’renotreadyforadrill.Ourjob istoseethatbeforeitturnsintosomethingworse.”She alsolooksatshoes,fitnesslevels,andform. “Sometimesthefixisassimpleasanewpairof sneakersorinserts,”shesays.“Attheirage,mybiggest preventionstrategyiseducation,”Seguiexplains.“The girlshaveneverreallybeenseriouslyinjuredbefore. They’restilllearningtodifferentiatebetweensoreness andastrain”

Bothtrainersemphasizetherecoverytoolsavailableat SacredHeartGreenwich:Normatecboots,icebaths, foamrollers,andheattherapyasoneofthemost

Notunlikeoursportsteams,the athleticsdepartmentrunsontrust andteamworknotjustbetween trainers,butacrosstheentire athleticsdepartment.“Christina andIareasubcategoryofabigger team,”Seguisays “Wework closelywiththeathleticsoffice, thecoaches,maintenance, agrees.“Unlikeanydepartmentoncampus,wecan’t functioninabubble Athleticsdoesn’tstopforabad day.Itmustgoon,anditmustbeexcellent.”

facilities;everyone.”Cauliffe

Beforeheadingbacktothetreatmentroom,both trainerssharedsomeadviceforstudent-athletes: Cauliffestartedwith,“Listentoyourbody”which Seguieagerlyagreedbeforeadding,“Takeyourwarmupseriously.Ifyoutakeyourwarm-upseriously.I’m notkidding.Ifyoutakeyourwarm-upandrecovery seriously,youcouldliterallyrunfaster,jumphigher, andstayhealthier Itmakesasignificantdifference”

Andforthosedreamingoffollowingintheirfootsteps? Seguiinvitesstudentstospendadaywithhimand shadowhim.“Ithinkanystudent-athletewouldenjoy

1000 REASONS TO CELEBRATE

SOPHOMORE JULIANA L.

HITS A MAJOR MILESTONE

SophomoreJulianaL.hitarecordmilestoneof1,000assistsduringourmatch againstHopkinsonOctober1,2025.Julessetasan8thgraderforPortChesterHigh School’svarsityvolleyballteamandherassiststherecombinedwithherassistsat SacredHeartGreenwichduringherfreshmanandsophomoreyeartodateallowed hertoachievethisrecordmilestone.Theteamsurprisedherwithasignattheaway match,andHopkinsgaveherthegameball.Theteampresentedherwithasigned “GoldenBall”celebratingheratournexthomematch.

Sophomore setter Juliana L in action vs Choate

Rapid Fire with our Athletic Trainers

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

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

beingaroundme,learningfromme,andmeshowing themthebeautyofbeinganathletictrainerandthe funIhaveeverysingledayandhowmuchIlovemy job.”Cauliffe’sadviceissimple:“Takeanatomy seriously Youshouldknowyouranatomyinside, outside,backwards,andforwards,up,down,and right.AndfindaninstitutionlikeSacredHeart Greenwich.I'vebeeninalotofdifferentschoolsanda lotofdifferentinstitutions,andthere'snotmanythat treatusthewaywedo,giveustheopportunitiesthat wehave,allowustotreattheathletestothecaliber thatweare,andalsoworkforacommunitythat knowswhoweareandaregratefulforwhoweare.”

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.”

“TigerTimeisourafter-schoolprogramforLowerSchool students,fromtheBaratCenterupthroughfourthgrade,” explainsElizabethPei,AssistantHeadofLowerSchool.“We runitMondaythroughFridayfrom3:10to4:10pm We offerarangeofenrichmentoptionsfromathleticstoartsto movementandcreativity.”

Eachcoursemeetsonedayaweekforanentireseason: fall,winter,andspring Familiessignupinadvance, choosingfromamenuofprogramsledbySacredHeart Greenwichcoaches,teachers,andselectoutsidevendors. “It’sreallyaboutofferingfamiliessomethinghigh-quality, engaging,andactivefortheirkidsafterschool,”saysPei. “Thestudentslovetostaybusy,andthiskeepsthem learningandmovinginajoyfulway.”

AthleticshavequicklybecomeapopularchoiceinTiger Time.Thisfall,studentscouldswingclubsingolfwith CoachPanarella,rallyonthecourtsinsquashwithCoach McDavid,kickgoalsinsoccerwithCoachFord,perfecttheir serveintenniswithCoachO,ormakeasplashinswimwith CoachReed

TIGER TIME = GAME TIME: BUILDING CONFIDENCE, COORDINATION, COMMUNITY

Whenthebellringsat3:10p.m.inLower School,thedayisfarfromoverformany ofourgirls.AcrosstheBaratCenterand theLowerSchoolhalls,sneakerssqueak, laughterfillsthegym,andyoungTigers headoffnothome,buttoTigerTime.

“Wehadover75registrationsthisfall.Somestudents evensignedupformultipleactivities,”Peisays “The athleticcoursesfilledupthefastest.Familiesreally valueprogramsthathelptheirkidsstayactive”The sessionsaresmallbydesign,usuallycappedat12 studentstoensureeachchildgetsindividual attention “Whenclassesgettoolarge,it’sharderfor coachestoreallyconnectwitheverychild,”Pei explains “Thesesmallgroupsallowforrealgrowth”

Beyondskill-building,TigerTimeishelpingyoung athletestaketheirfirststepsintothecultureofteam sports.“Formanyofourstudents,thisisthefirsttime they’repartofanorganizedteamexperience,”says Pei.“Theylearnhowtotakefeedbackfromacoach, howtoworktowardagoal,andhowtowinandlose gracefully;allinaverysupportivesetting”

TheexperienceevenmirrorsaspectsofMiddleSchool athletics.“Fortennisandgolf,thestudentsactually takeabustotheirpracticesitesontheLower Campus,”Peiexplains “Thatlittledetailofridingthe

bustogethercreatesasenseof independenceandcamaraderie It’sa socialexperienceasmuchasa physicalone.”

UpperSchoolathletesoftenjoin sessionsashelpers,bridging generationsofTigers.“It’swonderful forouryoungerstudentstolearn fromtheoldergirlstheylookupto,” Peiadds “Itgivesourolderathletes leadershipexperience,too.”

TheathleticsofferingsatTigerTime provideourLowerSchoolathletes theopportunitytoexperiencethefull benefitsofsportsatSacredHeart Greenwich.It’saboutbuilding communityandlivingtheSacred Heartmissionthroughplay.“What makesthisprogramspecialisthe cross-gradeconnection,”Peisays.“A fourthgradermightbepairedwitha firstgraderinsoccerandnaturally stepintoaleadershiprole.That dynamicbuildsconfidenceforboth.”

Everysessionemphasizes sportsmanship,kindness,and teamwork;thesamecorevaluesthat defineSacredHeartGreenwich athleticsateverylevel “They're learninghowtorespondtofeedback, howtosupportoneanother,howto handlealoss,andhowtoliftuptheir teammates”

Inatownwhereyouthsportscan oftenfeelhigh-stakes,TigerTime offerssomethingrare:asafe,lowpressureentrypoint.“Itcanbereally hardforaten-year-oldtostartanew sportinacompetitiveenvironment,” Peisays.“TigerTimegivesthemthat

chanceinasupportivespace. There’snopressure,nojudgment justthejoyoftryingsomething new.”

Peihasseenitfirsthand:the hesitantbeginnerwhotransforms intoanenthusiasticparticipant. “Sometimesachildwillstartoff nervous‘I’veneverplayedgolf before,whatifIcan’tdoit?’,andby thethirdsession,they’rerunning downthehalltogetthere”

Withitsearlysuccess,offering athleticactivitiesduringTigerTime ispoisedtoexpand “Thedemandis definitelythere,”saysPei.“Inthe winterwhenspaceislimited,weget creative;maybearcheryina classroom,ordanceinour alternativespaces.Butthegoalisto keepofferingavariety.”Parents, too,havevoicedtheirenthusiasm. “Familieswantconsistency,”Pei says.“Theywantaprogramthey canrelyoneachseason.Andthey appreciateknowingtheirchildren arestayingactive,engaged,and caredforrighthereoncampus”

ForPei,theheartofTigerTimelies inwhatitrevealsabouteachchild. “It’sachanceforkidstowidentheir circle,toshowadifferentsideof themselves,”shesays “I’vetaught courseslikethisinthepast,and evenforadults,it’seye-opening. Youmightseeastudentyou’ve knownforyearsinawholenew light.”Ifshehadtosumitupin threewords?“Enriching.Fun. Collaborative.”