Category Archives: Athletics

Arthurs ’13 and Consavage ’13 Sign National Letters of Intent

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Two postgraduate roommates—whose ongoing joke is that they are the biggest guys on campus, living in the smallest room—signed National Letters of Intent to play Division II football during a joint ceremony at the Williston Northampton School on February 19.

Dylan Arthurs said a weight had lifted off his shoulders as he signed the official letter to attend Stonehill College in Easton, Mass. as part of the Class of 2017. He was followed by William Consavage, who penned an agreement to attend Bentley University in Waltham, Mass. By signing the letters, and agreeing to the respective scholarship agreements, Mr. Consavage and Mr. Arthurs notified other schools that they may no longer be recruited.

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Posted in: Athletics, Upper School, Williston Northampton News

Bringing Outside Voices to Sports Studies

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“Are sports connected to what’s happening in the classroom?” It was their search for the answer to that question that lead Smith College professors Don Siegel and Sam Intrator to found an innovative, Springfield-based program called Project Coach.

In early December, the two professors, plus two others from their program, brought that question to students at The Williston Northampton School.

“There’s a notion that what’s going on in the playing fields connects to what’s going on in other parts of kids’ lives,” Siegel told the students. “The way to the boardroom leads through the locker room.”

The same question could be applied to the class—a new Williston Scholars program called Sports Studies. Created by Diane Williams, a history and global studies teacher, the course features a large slate of visiting speakers and is designed to give students local examples of “sports being used in a meaningful way to impact people’s lives.”

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Posted in: Academics, Athletics, Special Programs, Visiting Speakers, Williston Northampton News

A Quiet Leader

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At first, Jean-Gabriel “Gabe” Lacombe couldn’t quite get the hang of the sport he now captains.  “I didn’t like [hockey] in the beginning…I couldn’t skate very well,” he admitted.  Lacombe was 2 years old when he started skating.

His father encouraged him to keep at it and, eventually, “all my friends started liking hockey so I felt like, ‘I might as well start playing,’” he said.  The rest is history.

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Posted in: Academics, Athletics, Upper School, Williston Northampton News

Remembrance of Al Lavalle

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Dear Williston Community,

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I report the passing of a highly respected and beloved member of our community. Al Lavalle, a 13-year employee in our Physical Plant Department, died on Sunday, November 25 after a long battle with colon cancer.

One of Al’s positions on campus was working in The Cage in the Athletic Center. It was there that he had a tremendous impact on Williston students and acquired such a great deal of respect that the yearbook was dedicated to him in 2007. Mr. Lavalle, a lover of athletics and a major presence in local youth sports leagues, bestowed life lessons on Williston students about integrity and treating others with respect. His positive effect on the lives of those in this community will long be felt.
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Posted in: Athletics, Williston Northampton News

Bend it Like…Parker?

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Bend it Like…Parker?

She’s been called the traffic controller, the distributor, a worker bee, and the cog of the girls varsity soccer team wheel.

(C) Matthew Cavanaugh

A junior from Amherst, MA, Gia Parker has been playing the game since she was five.  Parker, who has worked very hard to improve her game over the past two seasons, says the trait that has stuck with her throughout the years, and countless practices, is discipline.

“I take good care of my body, I eat well and I have learned good habits,” she said.  “It’s something that I’ve worked really hard at. It didn’t always come easily.“

Monique Conroy is Parker’s advisor, Algebra II teacher, and coach, and has enjoyed watching her advisee develop, both on and off the field.

“Gia came in as a freshman and became a starter at the key position on the field,” said Conroy, adding that that was true even though an older player played ahead of Parker.

In subsequent years, explained Conroy, Parker continued to improve her game, her physical strength, and her endurance.

“She is the fittest girl on the team; nobody will ever question that,” said Conroy.

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Posted in: Academics, Athletics, Student Life, Upper School