I am a 1978 graduate of the Bromfield School. On Saturday, Oct. 6, I had the privilege of presenting a plaque to Tom Hill detailing his many milestones as a longtime coach at Bromfield. I would like to thank Suzanne Hazel Dutkewych for coordinating all of the Homecoming events this past weekend.
In the late 70s it was the practice of the boys varsity soccer team to elect captains at the end of the season. Jimmy Lee and I were elected by our teammates to be co-captains for the fall of 1977.
On the day after the final day of school in June of 1977, I had to take a make-up exam at the school. After completing the exam, I was told that Richard Cox, a middle school history teacher and founder of the soccer program at Bromfield, had died in a single-car accident the night before. Sometime after the funeral we learned that Tom Hill would become the soccer coach. Mr. Hill had been coaching the track/cross country team.
 |
| Surrounded by Bromfield alumni, coach Tom Hill sits with his plaque after being honored for his coaching record: 500 basketball wins and 550 soccer wins. Hill had surgery on his ankle last week but was still able to coach Saturday’s boys varsity soccer game against Groton. (Photo by Lisa Acuikewicz) |
He gave up working with one of America’s best all-time runners, Lynn Jennings, to coach a group of mediocre soccer players. Mr. Hill had virtually no knowledge of soccer in the fall of 1977 and what he did have he had probably read about that summer. He was never a strategic planner or teacher of ball skills. Tom Hill could get you to play your best and not simply because he would yell or break a clipboard or two, or three or four or…I am not sure I can say how he did that, but he did and watching the game this past Saturday, he still does.
Mr. Hill coached hundreds of young men and women over the years. I expect that all of them would agree with me that the effort I learned to put forth when playing for him has contributed, in some way, to virtually every success I have had in my life. Thank you, Tom Hill.
James F. Yates, President
Bromfield Alumni Association
