The Crusaders entered the game with a 5-8 record, recording more victories than they had in the previous two seasons combined.
"It's been a rewarding experience, especially being one of the two senior leaders on the team," Sparkes said. "When I came in the program was moving in the wrong direction. Now, through the dedication of the parents and better recognition from the school, I think slowly but surely it's moving in the right direction."
Even though he never won a league title or competed in an NCAA tournament, Sparkes can look back 20 years from now and know he played a pivotal role in that transformation.
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Re: From Earlier Post from Syracuse paper -- RecentGrad, 15:26:13 05/07/04 Fri
NTK... I'm POSITIVE Coach McCaffrey was fired. He took over a team full of recruits from previous coach (John Combs), did the best he could with the talent, and has recruited some excellent, PL calibre freshmen and sophmores. (To be brutally honest, due to funding, facilities and admissions issues, we have not had PL-level talent in the past.)
Anyone who saw HC play #2 Navy several weeks saw a young team (only 2 seniors) that battled a superior opponent for four quarters. At the HC tailgate after the game, several Naval Officers (in uniform) approached the tailgate to commend the Crusaders for their performance and class during the game. I believe the phrase used was "toughness and character", words not taken lightly by an active duty officer.
Additionally, Coach McCaffrey received e-mails after the game from Navy fans in attendance commenting on the class displayed by the Crusaders during the Naval Academy anthem "Blue and Gold" which Navy sings after each game.
HC has lost a Coach of great character if nothing else. Dick Regan is a clown. Our minor sports are terrible, basketball is treading water in the PL and football is both terrible and a financial drain (hopefully not for long with the arrival of Gilmore). Besides hiring RW, what has Regan done?
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Re: From Earlier Post from Syracuse paper -- NTKHC64, 18:21:41 05/07/04 Fri
Although you don't know my relationship with the Sparkes family, I can tell you that this came as a surprise to the team. I don't know what the facts are. I asked the question about "fired" because I felt that given the bio of the caoch and the feeling of the team members, this was a real shocker.
As for your last paragraph, excluding your characterization of Regan,the efforts of RW and presumably Gilmore have made/will make a difference in the major sports area. Minor sports are another thing. Please recall that the field hockey team has been very successful as recently as 2000 and there is optimism for the women's soccer team given the hiring of Deb Flaherty about whom there is enthusiasm in the administration.
As for football being a "finanacial drain" that seems to have little impact. If you had read my posts of years ago, you would know that the answer is that everybody at our level loses money on football.
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Re: From Earlier Post from Syracuse paper -- hcsp04, 20:16:47 05/07/04 Fri
NTKHC64 I'm sure there is some optimism surrounding the women's soccer program. The fired coach, Mary Curtis, was abysmal. She couldn't communicate or coach. She let team after team down with her approach to a Div. 1 program. The athletic director was advised about her performance for years by parents from several successive graduating classes. He chose to ignore the situation until it got so bad over the past two years he was obviously left with no alternative. This spring the team actually had formal practices and scheduled games. Though the new coach has never coached at this level before, and may have had an inside track because she is the daughter of a HC grad, we all wish her the best of luck.
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Re: Deb Flaherty -- NTKHC64, 10:27:53 05/08/04 Sat
Am I correct in inferring that under Curtis there were no spring formal practices and scheduled games? Curtis was the coach for 12 years. How long did it take to find out she was not up to the job or was this a gradual thing? Interesting that Coach Flaherty's bio doesn't mention her parent was an HC grad. I don't know how West Chester and its competiton compares with the Patriot League. But I can tell you this:
On June 15, Coach Flaherty is one of the featured guests at the annual NJ Club summer reception. Maybe the questions she receives and her answers will be as intersting as those directed to the other guests, Tom Gilmore and Dick Regan.
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Re: Deb Flaherty -- NTKHC64, 10:33:43 05/08/04 Sat
Am I to infer that under Coach Curtis, who had a 12 year tenure, there were no spring practices or games? Was Curtis ever any good or were her failings a gradual thing. Interesting that Coach Flaherty's bio doesn't mention one of her parents was an HC grad. I don't know how West Chester and its competiton compare with the PL. I can tell you this:
Coach Flaherty will be one of the featured guests at the annual HC NJ Club on June 15. Perhaps what she has to say will be indicative of a new attitude on non-revenue sports.
The other guests are Tom Gilmore and Dick Regan.
