St. Mary High School boys’ soccer coach and newly appointed athletic director, Bill Lamirande, oversees the first official day of fall sports practice Thursday at Westfield Middle School North. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WESTFIELD – There’s a change coming in the air around St. Mary’s sports programs this fall, and it’s not associated with the changing of the leaves.
It’s more a changing of the guard.
Bill Lamirande was recently hired to take over as St. Mary High School athletic director.
A former ball player and familiar face seen coaching All-Star Little League and Babe Ruth baseball teams of late, Lamirande brings a wealth of sports knowledge to his new post.
Day 1 of girls’ soccer practice begins at Westfield Middle School North. (Photo by Chris Putz)
Lamirande has been on the varsity baseball coaching staff for six years, and stepped up to fill the boys’ soccer head spot when it became vacated just days before the start of the 2015 season, ultimately saving the team from dissolving.
While victories were hard to come by – not only for the boys’ soccer team last season, but for other Saints’ teams as well – Lamirande said, while wins are nice, there is another award that is just as rewarding.
St. Mary senior Drew Collins takes a shot at goal at Thursday’s practice. (Photo by Chris Putz)
“Our main focus is the sportsmanship award,” Lamirande explained. “That is my goal.”
St. Mary last won a sportsmanship award in 2008. Lamirande noted the renewed emphasis being put forth by school administrators for the school’s Saints to become better overall student-athletes.
The chase for “W’s” begins Tuesday, Sept. 6 when St. Mary’s cross country team travels to Southwick to take on the Rams in a season opener. The Saints’ golf team makes its season debut Sept. 7 at Monson. Girls’ soccer opens the same day at home against Pathfinder at Westfield Middle School North. On Thursday, Sept. 8, the boys’ soccer squad hosts Smith Voke at 4 p.m.
For a complete listing of the Fall ’16 high school sports schedules, see our Standings/Schedule page daily in The Westfield News and online.
