Over the course of the 2013-2014 school year, athletic teams at Tabor Academy saw a number of successes. The Girls’ Soccer Team started the trend when they tied the championship last fall. The success continued in the winter with an impressive wrestling season, and again in the spring when the softball and baseball teams both won their league titles. It is not only the athletes, but also the coaches at Tabor who have been leading teams to victory with instruction and support.
Four Tabor coaches have received the honor of their sport’s “Coach of the Year” in their league or division. This is an impressive number of coaches, and they were recognized throughout the three seasons over the course of the school year. In the fall, Steve Sughrue was named as the Private School Massachusetts State Coach of the Year for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Sughrue led the girls’ soccer team through an undefeated season to ultimately tie the championship. He was recognized not only for this success, but also for his leadership and commitment to the team environment.
Conan Leary received a similar honor in the winter when he was selected as the New England Independent School Wrestling Association’s Wrestling Coach of the Year. After wrestling at Tabor, Leary returned as a teacher and coach. In his time at Tabor as both an athlete and a coach, he has bettered the program with his leadership and knowledge of the sport. Thus, it is fitting that Leary receive this honor.
In the spring season, two more coaches earned honorable distinctions. Paul Salit was chosen as United States Interscholastic Lacrosse Association’s Coach of the Year by the Eastern region of New England Independent Schools. Salit is recognized for his coaching skills as well as his respect for the sport and all of those involved in it. After his 45 years of coaching, Mark Perkins was named the USILA Man of the Year. Perkins was honored for teaching life lessons through the sport.
It is both rare and exciting that so many coaches were given honors for their skills, leadership and commitment to their respective sports. Their reputations as coaches and the successes of their individual teams will continue to positively influence athletics at Tabor.