To view photos of the tribute celebration honoring Souderton coach Mary Ann Harris, visit the Photo Gallery by clicking on the following link: http://photos.suburbanonesports.com/
FRANCONIA TWP – Carolyn (Wood) Meakim played field hockey under Souderton coach Mary Ann Harris for just one year but holds her former high school field hockey coach in high esteem.
That much was apparent when Meakim – just eight days removed from giving birth to her daughter – opted to show up on a damp, chilly night to attend a tribute to the veteran Souderton coach prior to Saturday night’s non-league game against Christopher Dock.
“I knew it had to happen,” Meakim said of attending the celebration “Some of the people were surprised to see me, but it wasn’t surprising to me. She’s just such an amazing woman. There was no doubt in my mind that I was going to be there.”
Saturday’s ceremony celebrated the career of Harris, who has announced that the 2011 season will be her final at the helm of Souderton’s field hockey program.
The veteran coach took over the helm of a struggling program in the fall of 1992 and took the Indians to districts that first year. They've been there every year since.
“Practices were structured, and we all respected Mrs. Harris as a person and field hockey coach, and you wanted to play for her,” said Meakim, who returned to coach under Harris for several years after a successful collegiate career at St. Joe’s. “She just brought what we were looking for in the program.
“For me, I felt like she opened the door to go to a D-1 school. I don’t know if I would have had that opportunity. I felt like she put Souderton on the map. She’s been a mentor on many levels even outside of college, and I always look at her as someone who really guided women. She’s a leader of women, she really is. She will be hard to replace.”
Four days earlier, Harris was inducted into the Montco Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, joining a class that included former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier. Harris also is a charter member of the U.S. Field Hockey Association Hall of Fame, the Temple University Hall of Fame, the North Penn-Souderton Hall of Fame, and the North Penn High School Hall of Fame.
The Souderton coach – who played four varsity sports at Temple – was a member of the U.S. National Field Hockey Team for 15 years. She coached hockey at Ursinus College and also coached at the high school level at both Springfield (Montco) and Sidwell Friends School (Washington D.C.).
“It’s amazing to listen to her achievements – not just what she’s done for the high school or the team, but what she’s done for women’s sports in general is amazing,” said Leslie Rush, a 1995 Souderton grad who made the trip from Lancaster to honor her former coach. “If you didn’t know her really well, you wouldn’t know any of this because she’s so humble. She really is a class act.”
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Ask her former players one word they would choose to describe Harris, and their responses varied.
“Intense,” said Kaitlin Vacca.
“Icon,” Sarah Hudak said.
“Dedicated,” said Nicole (Dudek) Bauer.
“It’s hard to pick just one word,” said Erin Prediger, who earned a hockey scholarship to Boston University. “I’ve had many coaches throughout my career, and no one even comes close.
“It’s kind of a badge of honor to say you played at Souderton. It’s a small town, and out of a field hockey context, no one knows it, but anyone in the field hockey world, when you say Souderton, they know where you’re from and they ask about Mary Ann.”
Kim Dudek, an assistant under Harris for 15 years, described Harris as ‘classy, respected and admired.’
“Mary Ann is Joe Pa of Souderton hockey,” Dudek said. “She is iconic.”
The veteran coach has established a tradition of excellence at Souderton. The Indians have made 10 trips to the PIAA State Tournament during Harris’ tenure and advanced to the Final Four of the state on five occasions. Souderton has won nine league titles under Harris and three District One championships.
More important than the wins, according to her former players, is Harris’s ability to instill a love of the game.
“Falling in love with field hockey – that’s what she wants you to do,” said Jayne (Landis) Longacre. “The wins are just a bonus.”
Longacre was a freshman when Harris took over the helm in 1992.. She went on to earn a field hockey scholarship to Ohio State University, one of many players under Harris who went on to play at the collegiate level.
According to Longacre, Harris defined her future.
“If it wasn’t for Mrs. Harris coming to Souderton and coaching me and shaping me and forming me, I would never have been the athlete or person that I am,” the former standout said. “She just molded me.
“I would never have loved the sport, but she made you fall in love with it. She just wanted you to love it, and everything else would fall into place. You worked hard because you never wanted to disappoint Mrs. Harris.”
Bauer, who is the varsity lacrosse coach at Souderton, was one of several keynote speakers at Saturday’s ceremony.
“As a coach, Mrs. Harris spread her love for the game,” said Bauer, who played for Harris from 1998-01 and went on to have an All-American career at Duke University. “Her love for field hockey is infectious, and her players feed off that energy. They love the game, and they work on it year round.
“Mrs. Harris is one of the few pioneers of the game in the area. I have talked to my teammates who have gone on to coach, and whether in high school, club or college, they all strive to create the tradition of excellence that she has created at Souderton.”
Sarah Hudak, who played for Harris from 1999-02, made the trip from Boston where she is employed as an occupational therapist at Massachusetts General, and she spoke of the role Harris played in her life.
“Looking back, those were the most important years of my life with new friendships, lifelong mentorship and unknown personal potential that were directly influenced by the guidance and influence of Mrs. Harris,” said Hudak, who gave up soccer to play hockey for Harris and went on to earn a field hockey scholarship to Boston University where she was an Academic All-American.
“As many girls can attest, she has significantly changed the lives of tens and hundreds of athletes at Souderton, profoundly affecting our community and bringing unimaginable recognition to Souderton field hockey,” Hudak said. “I would not be where I am today – passionate about my personal and professional goals – if I did not have the experiences I’ve had with Mrs. Harris and her guidance over the past 10 years.”
Rush was a sophomore when Harris came on board.
“I remember just being thrilled,” she said. “One of the things that struck me about her was that she could see potential in anyone, and through practice and her hard work and her passion for the game, she could really turn them into an amazing player even if they didn’t believe that about themselves, and that is such a gift as a coach she had and still has it now.”
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Harris’ mentor and close friend was Constance M.K. Applebee, who brought field hockey to the United States.
“Mrs. Harris constantly talks about her mentor, Constance Applebee,” senior tri-captain Bekah Hershey. “What Mrs. Harris admired about her was her level of intensity and her love for the game. We respect our coach the way she respected Mrs. Applebee.”
Surrounded by her family as well as past and present players, Harris smiled and admitted she was overwhelmed.
“This is a landmark decision,” she admitted. “Each year I would make the decision I wasn’t coming back, but each year, there were more and more girls, and I stayed.
“It’s been the happiest years of coaching. High school coaching is wonderful. It’s just been a great time.”
The timing of Harris’ announcement, according to her daughter, just might be perfect.
“For the kids, I think it was nice that they did it at this time instead of at the end of the end of season because I don’t really think they realize all that she’s done in field hockey at a time when there weren’t all these opportunities for female athletes,” said Sarah (Harris) Quintois, one of Harris’ three daughters. “She did as much as you could at that time.”
Lining the fence at Saturday’s celebration were parents of former players, many representing their daughters who could not be present.
“Two of our girls went on to college and played hockey, but they learned their love of the game from Mrs. Harris,” said Sue Shulzitski, whose daughters Katie and Meredith went on to excel at Appalachian State and Penn State respectively.
Also playing a prominent role at the celebration were this year’s players.
“Mrs. Harris is a coach and athlete who has inspired greatness in so many girls she played alongside of, against or coached,” senior tri-captain Taylor Yoder said. “I’m speaking for the whole program when I say we are so fortunate to have her as a coach.
“While many coaches have a commitment to their team, Mrs. Harris goes one step further. Her year-round dedication shows her desire to make us the best players we can be. Her high expectations keep us working, and her passion for the game has given us something in our lives that we are willing to work hard for.”
Harris informed her team a week earlier that this would be her final season.
“One thing she said was, ‘Field hockey should be the most important and most unimportant thing in your life,’” Hershey recalled. “She explained herself by giving us the advice that the second we get out on the field – ‘playing hard, learning and pushing to become a better player is all that should matter to you. Once the game or the practice is over, leave everything on the field, and go excel in other areas of your life.’”
“You have done your part,” senior tri-captain Alayna Brown said to her coach. “Now it’s up to us to give something back to you. We want to be the best we can be and play our best for you.
“Mrs. Harris, we want to thank you for making us work hard, thank you for pushing us to always become better, thank you for sharing your love for the game of field hockey with us, and thank you for all you have done for Souderton field hockey. As the back of our shirts say, ‘Season 2011 – This one’s for you.’”
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