This fall, for the first time in over 50 years, The Park School will take to the gridiron. Back in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s most all of the boys at Park played football. In their wool uniforms and leather helmets, coach Don Fisher led the team to an undefeated season in 1949. The 2018 update is flag football, played with seven on a team and fabric ties on their waists (and no wool jerseys or leather helmets)! The Faulkner Field, near the swimming pool, has been transformed to the home turf and the team is prepared to take on long time rivals Dedham Country Day, Rivers, BB&N, and of course, Shady Hill. Under the leadership of Coaches Tim O’Brien and Paul Toussaint, the 18 boys on the roster look to be a dominant bunch!
On Park’s other venues, coaches and athletes alike are excited for the new year and the new season. The girls soccer team, led by Coaches Heather Offen, Merrill Hawkins ’96, and Lauren Dennis are an experienced, talented and spirited group and are already on their way to a great season. The boys soccer program, led by 25 (!) eighth graders is very deep and very talented this year. The varsity team, coached by Bob Little and Travis James, hopes to improve on their 10-2 season of a year ago…a feat that is certainly within reach. The JV is coached by Scotty Fries and Jonathan Marrow, and is bolstered by some very talented players in Grades VI, VII, and VIII. Coaches Steve Savage, Katy Lee, and Carol Buzby have the cross country team running for the hills, or at least to the top of Larz Anderson Park! On October 11, Park hosts more than 300 runners at the Larz Anderson Invitational, one of the largest middle school cross country races in the region. The volleyball team, coached by Michelle Young and Andrew Tegeler, is looking forward to another strong season, and the field hockey team, coached by Dana Studley ’85 and Amy Saltonstall ’87, is already “on a roll”, “sticking it” to their opponents repeatedly!
Want to see our athletes in action? Mark your calendar for Friday, October 26, the big game day when Park takes on long-time rival, Shady Hill School, here on Goddard Ave. The action takes place at 3:30 p.m., with varsity matches in soccer, volleyball, football, and cross country. Come cheer our athletes on to victory and let’s bring home The Cup in 2018!
