Bill Tilden is not cutting back, rather just cutting the grass.
The 15-year Old Rochester Regional Director of Athletics is stepping down from that position and switching over to groundskeeper.
“It’s a natural progression, nobody knows the fields like I do,” said Tilden, who long ago established a local landscaping and irrigation business.
This return to an old norm comes with a farewell to the endless administrative work of an A.D., a career that eventually bogged down the part he liked the most: coaching. Under 2023-24 circumstances, he will do more of that especially now that Cindy Tilden is taking on a greater role in her full-time job.
Since 1999, the Tildens have been represented in all three running seasons at ORR, coaching cross country, indoor and then outdoor track and field. A 21st century institution, the husband-wife team will still be at the three-season helm, only in a bit of role reversal.
“One of the reasons I was willing to do this is it’s usually a seven-to-three job and they’re letting me go six-to-two,” Bill said. “I was still doing track (when I was A.D. beginning in 2008), couldn’t always get there. Now that’s my number-one concern after 2:00.”
Bill Tilden was named the Eastern Massachusetts Boys Outdoor Track Coach of the Year in 2011 by the Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association, and after this year’s run to indoor state championship, the Boston Globe named him Division 4 Boys Coach of the Year.
During his 15 years as A.D., ORR won nine state championships, including the first state title for girls’ volleyball in 2021 and the golf team’s state championship in 2022. ORR had won just two state titles in the 45 years preceding Tilden’s tenure.
“‘We Are…OR!’ That was Bill’s favorite school cheer, when really, ‘He is … OR!’ Thank you, Bill, for the last 15 years leading our Athletic Department to amazing heights,” ORRHS Principal Michael Devoll stated in a press release announcing Tilden’s retirement from the job. “Bill embodies greatness and will leave a legacy of both championships and friendships!”
Tilden’s impact on the school scene was evident in a hallway sendoff given him by students lining ORR’s corridors.
“That was a surprise, I had everything I could do to not start crying,” he said.
ORR is in the process of searching for a new athletic director.
“He’s helped make this a highly-decorated program, while also doing everything he could to support not only our student-athletes, but our school community as a whole,” said ORR Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson of Tilden.
Taking care of ORR’s fields will be no sleeper of a chore, given their increased usage over recent years.
“There’s definitely a lot more to it. Facilities and programs, we do like to see the youth groups use it. There’s no other fields in the Tri-Town area that has the full size for games,” Tilden said, identifying lacrosse as a game changer. “I don’t think we ever foresaw that the fields would never get a break. Once you added lacrosse into the spring, you don’t have a recovery season anymore.”
What he admits he won’t miss are 18-hour days of accessibility to coaches and the parents of student-athletes. Tilden didn’t mention it, but he was also among the most accessible athletic directors to the media.
“If all I ever had to deal with was the kids, I’d stay,” he said. “I really want to spend more time with my grandkids, and it’s become more time consuming than less.”
ORR has been through four groundskeepers in the last three years so Tilden will bring more stability to his new job. Knowing the schedules and seasons before the preseason requests come in, his institutional knowledge will take that preparation a step further.
And if advice is needed in the Athletics office?
“I’m not too far away if there are any questions,” he said.
By Mick Colageo