For a full transcript, click here.

Interview Highlights

Editor’s note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What inspired you to pursue athletic leadership and ultimately become an Athletic Director?

This wasn’t my intended field. I worked in finance and annuities after school, but when our division at Sun Life was sold and we were laid off, I had time to think. I’d been Brimmer’s basketball coach since around 2011. Ms. Diane first asked me to teach some math, then to serve as Assistant Athletic Director based on my experience. That led to me taking over as AD. I love this school and what it’s about, and I wanted to help what I’d done in basketball propel other sports so we could grow the program—bigger and better.

How is the community handling a season without a home gym? Where will teams practice and play?

It’s an inconvenience right now, but when you look over and see the beautiful building going up—and how fast—it’s a small step back for a giant step forward. Everyone’s pulling together. Curling will be fine; they’ll be at the same spot at the country club. We’ll play games at UMass Mount Ida and practice at the Y next door. They built a walkway from Mount Ida down to the Y, so you don’t have to make the long trek. We’ve also partnered with New Balance for track and other local facilities. We prepared for this—my job is building partnerships so our facilities match the standards of our school. It’ll be a little sad this year, but we’ll be okay.

Stepping back, how are Brimmer teams doing overall—and where is the program headed?

If you watch this year, our soccer programs have been phenomenal. Cross-country has been great. Our girls won a basketball championship last year, and baseball won a league title. We’ve been improving constantly. My vision is that every varsity sport competes for league championships, year in and year out. With the new Wellness Center, we’ll train better and control our space better. We’re not just good right now—we’re building something that will hold up five, ten years from now.

Tell us a bit more about your background—how did you actually land in the AD role?

I worked in finance and annuities after school. When our division at Sun Life was sold and we were laid off, I had time to rethink things. I’d been Brimmer’s basketball coach since around 2011. Ms. Diane asked me to teach some math, then to serve as Assistant Athletic Director based on my experience in sports. After leadership transitions in the department, I stepped in as AD because I love this school and wanted to help grow every sport, not just basketball.

What have you learned as a leader of the athletic program?

Be adaptable. Go with the flow and change. Listen—to students, parents, and faculty—and then make sure our staff is working to help everybody get better. We’ve focused on better coaching, competing better, and making the athletics experience great.

What’s your approach to building team culture?

It starts at the top. The same values we live during the school day carry into athletics—care for the whole person, push for growth, and constantly re-evaluate so what we’re doing is good for students mentally and physically.

How do you support students who are brand new to a sport?

We expand teams so there’s a place to learn and improve—middle school, JV, and in some cases a second varsity group. Good coaching meets kids where they are: help advanced athletes grow and bring newcomers along so everyone moves forward.

Any recent coaching additions or program moves you’re especially excited about?

Our new coaches bring high-level experience—girls’ basketball, professional backgrounds; varsity boys’ soccer with Mauricio; a strong volleyball staff; and a terrific new women’s cross-country coach. Across the board we’ve upgraded coaching and it shows.

What facilities partnerships are bridging the gap while the gym is down?

Games at UMass Mount Ida, practices at the Y next door—there’s a new walkway between them. We’ve partnered with New Balance for track, plus Lars Anderson for cross-country, the Country Club, the Cricket Club, and more. We planned for this year and built relationships so our standards stay high.

What can families expect from the new Wellness Center and gym?

One main court with bleachers for roughly 200–300. With seats in, we can run two courts for simultaneous practices or middle school games. Downstairs: a new fitness center, locker rooms and showers, plus a junior PE room. Flexible classrooms double as team meeting spaces—built for now and for five, ten years from now.

Where do you see Brimmer athletics in the near future?

Competing for league championships in every varsity sport, year in and year out. We’ve already seen success—soccer strong, cross-country strong, a girls’ basketball title, baseball’s league win. With the Wellness Center, we’ll train better, control our space, and keep climbing.