Coaches
Messages from the Coaches:
Coach O'Hara circa 1978
I often think of our journey and all of you who I made that journey with. Thanks for taking me along! It certainly was one of the highlights of my life. Thanks so much! That journey was recently renewed with our 30-year reunion. It was like we were never apart. I enjoyed every minute of that weekend. Don’t let the journey end! You are family and I love each one of you. Stay in touch!
Yours in soccer and in life,
formerly Coach O’Hara,
now just Pete.
Coach Thibault circa 1978
Hi from the Land of Smiles, I hope the reunion went well. I haven’t heard a single report on it…It was a real disappointment not being able to enjoy the event with some of my favorite people and dear friends.. I am well in this beautiful paradise….near Bangkok…..I have no immediate plans to return to the states, but may make an appearance within a few years……Please write to hilidick@aol.com
Dick Thibault….over here I am Reeeeechhhaaaaard
Coach Sabourin circa 1978
The 30th year get together of the championship team was all that I had hoped for and more. All of the individuals with whom I interacted impressed me with their concern for and participation in their various communities. I would like to think that this stems from their participation in team activities at a younger age. But I’m old enough to realize that this would be only a small part of the story, instead, I saw a basic (for lack of a better word) goodness and concern expressed towards each other, and the people with whom you interact. I’m proud to have once been part of your team.
On a less profound note, retirement has been good. Its nice to pursue interests, without serious time constraints, to watch the grandkids, travel, garden and just sit quietly enjoying the company of loved ones. If any of you have the interest or desire to do a bit of volunteer farm work, I can certainly use the help at our farm in Bristol. Just let me know, via Pete.
Coach Rutkiewicz circa 1978
In 1978 I was a first year teacher and a volunteer (Pete said it would help my teaching career) assistant coach. I learned a lot about coaching, teaching, and life in general that year. Not knowing how hard it was to win a Division 1 State Championship I took it for granted. This must happen all the time in Portsmouth Soccer. Well, 13 years later in 1991 I was lucky enough to be the head coach of the only other Division 1 Soccer State Champions at PHS. The 1991 Girl’s Soccer Team. You guys accomplished a truly great sporting event!
Coach Blaess circa 1985
My fondest memories were more than a few. Having the opportunity to coach with Pete, Dick and Ray and learning how they dealt with practices and games, the personalities of the kids on the team, were, and still remain, a cornerstone of my own philosophy of working with students. The trips taken by the “Portsmouth Soccer Club” to Germany and Sweden also remain dear to my heart. One of the funniest moments I can remember was when Coach O’Hara DURING THE GAME walked across the field to bum a cigarette from a parent. Also the time I was driving the bus before an away playoff game against South Kingstown, Pete had me pull over onto a turf farm so “the boys” could get out and loosen up before we arrived at SK’s field. As the team stretched out and knocked the ball around, the owner came out and started yelling at us as we were ruining his sod. Pete told him he thought that the game was being played there, apologized, and we then proceeded to SK (where we won)! I will always remember all of the goalies I coached, the torturous drills I put you through, and our pre-game warm-ups under the lights on JFK field before huge crowds. Most of all I’ll remember the great kids that came and went through the soccer program and the friendships that were made and I still appreciate.
