Lessons On Sports from Our Alums

Over the last two summers Upper School History teacher and coach Frank Dachille has been working on collecting interviews of Alums mostly from the 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's and a few former faculty for our centennial. He has inherited the job of school historian that was originally held by Nancy Geyer and then by Kevin Randolph. I enjoy talking to Frank about these interviews, and now Frank will come and find me and say something like "you'll get a kick out what this guy said" when some interesting new material arises.

Two Historians and The Longest North Shore Employee: (L-R) Frank Dachille, Jay Bach, Nancy Geyer

Maybe the most significant lesson I have learned from Frank is that Alums perspective on the schools influence on their life trends positive. Though lots of people struggle with some aspect of high school, decades of life experience seems to put those struggles into perspective for our alums and most seem to have wonderful things to say.

I think this is particularly interesting when it comes to our sports requirement.

Sports has always been an important and required part of the North Shore school experience. Our traditional view of sports at North Shore, I think is best summed up in a sentence in one of the early school mission statements which said about our sports program:

"We also cheer for their athletic endeavors -- when they challenge themselves physically and when they work, not for stardom, but with and for the team."

But lots of people who have gone through the school haven't really seen it that way when they attended North Shore. 

However, it seems that the way we do sports at North Shore in time changes the heart of even the most ant-sports person. Here is what we hear. 

1) The experience of required sports got me to do something I was uncomfortable doing. That life after North Shore is filled with uncomfortable challenges at times and the fact that the school got me to not only participate in sports but find some success made me more prepared to confront those challenges. 

2) That having a teacher coach me strengthened the relationship I had with that teacher and made me better in the classroom. 

3) That I became comfortable with the physical side of life so more willing to take on physical challenges later in life and live a healthier life because of it. 

Its interesting that none of these lessons we learn from our alums about the value of sports have anything to wins, losses or championships. When you are out 25 years from this school, the wins and the elite performances will be less significant. But knowing that you were taught something you thought you never would be able to do and you were known will stay with you.