Lacrosse coach resigns
The new school year always brings a plethora of changes, some expected, some not. For the Boy’s Varsity Lacrosse Team, the impending changes are substantial. On September 7, coach Tom Penix resigned after two seasons.
Following Penix’s resignation, student athletes and administration face obstacles in finding a new coach before the season starts in November.
“Some of the parents were unhappy with the way the program was going, and some of the players were as well, so (Penix) decided to resign for the best of the program,” said Michael Marinelli, senior. “He really cares about the program and wants to see it shine, and he thought it was the best choice for all of us.”
Currently, administration, parents and students are searching for qualified lacrosse coaches, and recently opened up the application process to coaches all around the nation due to the lack of coaches on the west coast.
“Being a predominantly east coast sport, lacrosse really hasn’t worked its way west,” said Marinelli. “There’s a lot of kids playing, but not very many coaches who have moved out here. At the youth level, the high school kids help out with the coaches, but at the high school level it’s pretty hard to find a coach, so it’s gonna be a while.”
Kelly Welch, assistant principal of athletics, said that they are seeking someone with a previous lacrosse or general athletic background through a series of screenings. Their goal is to be “committed to a final new coach” by early November.
“Hopefully we can start conditioning and off season work late October, so that’s our goal date to get a new coach,” Marinelli said.
Interviews will also be conducted by two panels, one including herself and principal Joshua Eby, and the other including director of athletics Jason Klein, a lacrosse student athlete, and possibly another coach.
“I try to think of myself as an optimist, but you get kind of frustrated with this whole situation because you really want an answer right now,” said Preston Hill, senior. “Then you realize that there’s an entire process to (finding a new coach).”
Despite the setbacks, Marinelli and Hill are still looking forward to a strong winter season with their “family” of lacrosse players.
“We’re all just excited to to get ready for the new season and start being with each other every single day again,” Marinelli agreed.
