Alums, Varsity Athletes Mix It Up at Fall Classic

While it may be true that age and treachery will always overcome youth and exuberance, things didn’t exactly work out that way at the Greenhills 2013 Alumni vs. Varsity Fall Sports Classic.

All the games—which involved alumni teams battling the current Greenhills varsity squads in volleyball, field hockey, and soccer—were close. In volleyball and field hockey, the varsity teams prevailed. But in soccer, the match ended in a 2-2 tie.

“All three of the contests were quite competitive,” said Greenhills Athletic Director Meg Seng. “Throughout the evening, ‘You’ve still got it!’ was heard in all the alumni huddles.”

Math teacher and assistant boys varsity soccer coach Tom Ward agreed.

“It really was a game you could have easily mistaken for a mid-season conference game,” Ward said of the soccer match.

Seng said the 30 alumni who came out for this year’s Aug. 21 event was a strong showing, and added that she hopes to double that turnout for next year’s Alumni Classic.

Field hockey player Erin Maturo, ‘99, said getting back on the field was a great feeling for her and her teammates on the alumni squad, which featured players who graduated between 1999 and 2012. The alumni were supplemented by a few current junior varsity players.

“We had a blast,” Maturo said. “I totally think this can be a tradition going forward. It was great to see that everyone still had it, and that we had so many generations of players represented.”

The same was true for the alumni volleyball team, whose members spanned class years from 1981 to 2013.

“As a newbie to Greenhills, the alumni volleyball scrimmage was a great way to see all the pride, talent and support that friends and family have at Greenhills,” said Sara LeBlanc, who will teach health and wellness at the school this year. “I’m so honored to be part of the team, and so impressed with the alumni and the current Greenhills athletes for the competitive fun everyone seemed to have.”

After the games players and coaches gathered at the school to catch up with one another and enjoy music and refreshments.

“What a wonderful evening!” said head boys soccer coach Lucian Popescu.

And it won’t be the last such evening, either, if Seng has her way. Next year’s event may feature more sports, as well.

“Eric Gajar wants to include the tennis alumni next year,” Seng said of Greenhills’ associate director of admission. “So dust off your racquets and practice your volleys!”