November, 1980 – David Lahey

The routine of starting practice on November 1 and practicing twice a day for four days was old hat for the several experienced players hoping to improve on the two dismal seasons that ended the ‘70s. Senior forwards Allen, Carman, Denk, Knapp, and Wall were joined by two talented classmates on defense, Pollan and Pillmore. The first day of practice included a lengthy scrimmage (come to think of it, so did every practice for the rest of the season!), that literally started with a bang. With the opening faceoff going back to Pollan and bouncing over his stick, a race ensued to the far corner between Pollan and freshman center Tim Whitehead. The wily veteran let the eager lad head to the corner first, got right up behind him, and lifted him with both hands around the waist and threw him into the new glass that had been installed over the summer. The seniors marveled at the sound of someone hitting glass face first (much different than any body part going into the old chain link fencing) and Pollan’s display of strength. That may have been the first time Whitehead started to think about coaching! After Coach Batt chastised Pollan and Coach Karin checked to see if Whitehead “left any snot on the new glass,” practice continued.

– David Lahey