Sports FALL 2016 9
NEW FOOTBALL COACH IMPLEMENTS STUDY HALL
MAX PECK Since his arrival in
SPORTS EDITOR the summer prior to this school
Building off of the 4-6 year, Coach Robertson and
varsity football record a season his alterations to the football
ago, the athletic department has program have been well-received
hired former Assistant Coach by his players. A common senti-
of Oxbridge Academy Coach ment expressed among the Saint
Jimmy Robertson to become the Andrews players is that this sea-
Head Football Coach at Saint son, more than ever, a coach is
Andrews School. involved in their off-field success
Coach Robertson and in holding the team account-
decided to come coach at Saint able.
Andrews School because he saw This offseason, Saint
it as a perfect fit in terms of his Andrews football players experi-
coaching philosophy, in addition enced more difficult preparations
to the fact that Saint Andrews than in years past. Senior Matt
is a high academic school with Molle said that this season had a
kids of high character. much different tone than in the
Coming into a new past. It had never been more seri-
football program and position, ous. We had never worked out
Robertson drafted a goal for all summer. [Coach Robertson]
the football team that did not had us here every day over the
just include on field success. summer working out, running,
Robertson said, My goal every conditioning.
season is for the kids to have Senior Andrew Seelye
a great experience, learn about agreed that this season began
teamwork, competition, being a with a whole different attitude
than years past and the pre- make us go above and beyond Eventually, whatever sport you have been beneficial to their off-
family, and being a leader. Im
season preparations were a lot [...] to make sure that we are not play, it comes to an end, and field success and development.
trying to make these young men
more extensive. just academically eligible. He if you dont have that strong Senior Matt Molle
that Im coaching better people
Players have also wants us to have the best GPA foundation of academics, youre said, I know our record doesnt
in the community, and if we take
enjoyed the addition of the study possible, and to have good rela- not going to be as successful of a reflect it, but I think that the
care of all of those things, the
hall policy and think it is very tionships with all of our teachers person as much as you would if program has changed immensely.
wins will come.
helpful to their academic suc- and coaches. you excelled in academics. The players actually care now
One of the more signifi-
cess. Coach Robertson is Although the foot- whereas before everyone ex-
cant changes Coach Robertson
In response to this new aware that his role as Head ball team this season has been pected to lose and nobody tried
made to the football program this
policy and the new coach, junior Coach is about more than plagued by injury, many players in practice. This coach flipped it
year was the implementation of a
Grant Misemer said, I feel as if football and views football as feel that the program is on the around to where [now] every-
study hall policy where students
he is not only trying to make us a tool to help his players grow right track and the changes the body loves the team, [and] is
attend an hour long study hall
do the minimum, hes trying to as individuals. Robertson said, coach has made to the program passionate.
once a week with football prac-
tice afterwards.
SA Athletes Verbally Commit Cat Perez at Rio
CONTINUED
Saint Andrews senior
basketball player Anthony Polite MARKO IVANOVIC
has been holding a basketball STAFF WRITER
since he was three. He recently One of Perezs favorite global competition that has many
verbally committed to FSU for and most special moments from athletes worldwide, like Perez,
basketball. The atmosphere Saint Andrews was graduation. training and hoping that one day,
and the team [at FSU] helped Perez said, Graduation was they too can become a player of
me with my decision. I knew the very unique to me. It was very the competition. SA sophomore
players there really well and I re- personal and intimate. It closed and Varsity soccer player Tatum
ally like the coaches when I went off the experiences at Saint An- Ireland said, Yes, my ultimate
to visit this school, Polite said. drews really well. dream would be to play with the
Another student who The Olympics is a National Team in the Olympics.
has verbally committed is senior
Nick Ferraro, to the Univer-
sity of Hartford. Its his second
year playing lacrosse at Saint
Andrews, and he is going to
continue his sports career at a
Division I school. Ferraro chose
University of Hartford because
of the coaches and the campus.
Ferraro said, I am
proud to play on the best high
IVAN CHMYRENKO school can contact a student ath- school team in the country. If I
STAFF WRITER lete, Saint Andrews Athletic Di- did not play lacrosse I probably
would not go to such a good col-
rector Craiq Ashley said, Each
When you think of ath-
sport is different. It depends on lege and even not come to Saint Congrats to Bagpiper Senior Editor
letes at Saint Andrews school,
who is one the of first people to
when college coaches can reach Andrews. DANIELA PEREZ and senior BILLY
Not only can seniors
pop into your head? Many imme-
out to a student.
verbally commit to colleges, but ALTIERI for reaching the FHSAA
He gave an example
diately think of Anthony Polite
concerning basketball . There Mr. Ashley explained, Verbal Bowling State Finals!
and his verbal commitment to commitments are taking place
are open periods where coaches
FSU. earlier and earlier these days.
can come and see you and
Student athletes similar Middle schoolers can verbally
there are contact periods where
to Polite had questions about commit to a school.
coaches can text you , Ashley
the commitment process before Junior Taylor Mullen
said.
committing . Whats the first verbally committed to UVM for
He also explained the
move an athlete makes towards lacrosse. She plays on the Florida
difference between a verbal
the college he or she wants to at- select team which ranks twelfth
commitment and Signing Day.
tend? Where does an athlete find in the country. As Mullen said,
Verbal commitment is just like
information about playing a sport My biggest challenge is trying
a handshake between a student
in college? What is the right time to become better. I manage this
and coaches and Signing Day is
to go on a college visit? The challenge by working super hard
when a student receives the letter
questions are endless. to become the best that I can be.
of intent, Mr. Ashley said.
In response to when a
