16 minute read
alumni drive: Catching up with
Alumni Drive
With the Hope of a World Championship
James Gottlieb ’83 played his first lacrosse game as a goalie in seventh grade on the lower fields at Cardigan and fell in love with the game. But what started off as a simple way to burn off the excess energy of a middle school boy has turned into a passionate pursuit, one that’s included lots of international travel and a good dose of cultural exchange.
James Gottlieb has vivid memories of playing lacrosse at Cardigan, many involving swarms of New England black flies surrounding the goal. “The chemicals weren’t nearly as good at keeping the bugs away back then,”recalls Mr. Gottlieb. “As the goalie I had to do a lot of standing in one place, so I had to tape the earholes on my helmet shut to keep out the black flies.”
He also remembers early season practices in the fieldhouse. They used orange street hockey balls that didn’t bounce as much but also really hurt when they made contact. As the goalie, Mr. Gottlieb was hit often. “My classmate Daniel Zinsmeyer ’83 let me borrow his ice hockey equipment and I never felt anything after that,”he remembers. “I’m still in touch with Dan to this day.”
While Mr. Gottlieb played lacrosse a bit in high school, he did not play in college and in fact did not pick up a stick again until his own son began to play sports in second grade. By then he was living in Florida and working in the healthcare industry. As he and his wife introduced their three children to various sports, nothing seemed to be clicking.
“It was my wife’s idea to buy our son lacrosse equipment,”says Mr. Gottlieb. “But once I started throwing with him and coaching his team, I realized how much I had missed it.”From assistant coach to head coach, his involvement in the local lacrosse community grew. He then became involved in the men’s lacrosse league in the next town over and joined the board of the Boca Jets recreational league. To this day he continues to play every Sunday on an “old guy team”and is an active member of the Florida Lacrosse League.
In 2014, Mr. Gottlieb’s involvement expanded to the international scene when he was asked to play in the master’s division with over 40 athletes at the Men’s World Lacrosse Championships in Denver, CO. It was the first year Israel Lacrosse would play in the championship and Mr. Gottlieb was eager to witness the historic event.
“I was invited to Friday Shabbat dinner with the athletes and coaches of Israel Lacrosse and got to know their stories,”he says. “I spoke to their executive director
The coaching staff at the 2017 Women’s World Cup in England; James Gottlieb stands at far right.
and invited them to play in Florida.”It wasn’t long before Israel Lacrosse took him up on his offer. In early 2015, he received a phone call asking him if he would be willing to host several coaches for 10 days while Israel Lacrosse was in town for a tournament in conjunction with the Jewish Community Center Maccabi Games. “Camp Gottlieb”hosted not only the coaches but eight athletes as well and solidified Mr. Gottlieb’s relationship with Israel Lacrosse.
“Israel Lacrosse has become a leader on how to grow the sport,”he says. Founded in 2010, the team was officially recognized by World Lacrosse in April 2011. It now supports five teams and aspires to be the national sport of Israel. Their mission statement reads, “The organization’s vision is based on the belief that lacrosse has an important and significant role in strengthening the ties of Diaspora Jewry to Israel”(lacrosse.co.il).
In addition to hosting players and coaches when they visited the U.S. for tournaments, Mr. Gottlieb served as the Israel U-13 team general manager in 2016 when they made their first appearance at the World Series of Youth Lacrosse. That same summer, he also served as the general manager for the Israel Men’s National Team which competed at the U-19 FIL World Championships in Vancouver. In 2016 he was awarded the Mort and Judi Beroza Award by the Israel Lacrosse Association for his outstanding individual contributions to the development of lacrosse in Israel. Mr. Gottlieb was also the general manager of the Women’s National Team at the 2017 World Cup.
One of Mr. Gottlieb’s most unforgettable memories occurred when he served as a member of the host committee that brought the Men’s World Championship to Israel in 2018. The championship was originally scheduled to be played in England, but when the host country withdrew for financial reasons, Israel stepped up, holding the first tournament outside the U.S., Canada, England, and Australia. A record 46 teams participated. “I got to be a part of history,”he says. “I ran clinics with American and Israeli Jews and Haudenosaunee tribe members (part of the Iroquois National Team), teaching lacrosse to Palestinian children on the hills outside Jerusalem with beautiful views of Israel. What could be any better?”
Well, there was one more thing. On his way home from Tel Aviv, Mr. Gottlieb spoke with a coach who had previously expressed reservations about traveling to Israel. When Mr. Gottlieb asked him how his trip had gone, the coach admitted his reservations had been misguided; he had enjoyed every minute of his trip to Israel and was grateful for the opportunity to experience the country’s culture. “That’s what this has been all about,”says Mr. Gottlieb.
Back on Cardigan’s lacrosse field, that young man swatting black flies away from his face was most likely more interested in beating Eaglebrook than in helping to build the sport of lacrosse in Israel. But, he would have understood the passion that has continued to fuel Mr. Gottlieb’s involvement in the game. And while his coaching days have most likely ended, Mr. Gottlieb continues to play and has transitioned to officiating, currently at the local level in Florida. He hopes to earn certification to become an international referee and officiate at the World Championships or even the Olympics. If he does, we’ll check back in with him and share his stories here in the Chronicle. r
Members of the Haudenosaunee tribe conducting a clinic with Palestinian children in the Judean hills outside of Jerusalem during the 2018 World Championships
Malcolm Boyd with colleague and diversity advocate Amadi Slaughter
“ey Accepted You for a Reason”
Cardigan’s mission makes preparing its students for “responsible and meaningful lives in a global society” the School’s primary focus. As part of that effort, last January Cardigan’s administrative team made diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) a priority at all levels. Alumni Board member Malcolm Boyd ’03 saw an opportunity to involve alumni in the effort as well.
When asked about his Cardigan experience, Mr. Boyd’s response is for the most part positive; however, as a student of color, it wasn’t always easy attending a school in which he was one of only three Black students and in which there were no faculty of color. Nearly two decades later, Mr. Boyd has joined the School’s Alumni Board and wants to help change this experience. He is currently working to collect stories from Black alumni—through written stories, through panel discussions led by Black alumni, and through interactions with the boys at Cardigan today. The goal, through listening to these experiences, is simply to make Cardigan feel like “home” for all boys, no matter their race or where they come from. To kick off this effort, Director of Alumni Relations Jeremiah Shipman ’00 asked Mr. Boyd to share his Cardigan experience, in his own words.
how did you find out about cardigan?
My mother was fortunate to learn about Cardigan’s six-week Summer Session program from the parent of one of my classmates in the Bronx. She sold the idea to me by describing the extensive sports the program offers, while conveniently
leaving out the fact that I would attend school each morning. The academic piece was not revealed to me until we were more than halfway through the sevenhour drive up to Cardigan. I begged and pleaded for her to turn around, all to no avail. During my six weeks in attendance, however, she barely heard from me and had a hard time convincing me to get back in the car and head home once the program was over. I knew then, as I know now, Cardigan is a special place. The following school year I enrolled at Cardigan as a rising seventh-grader.
what were your greatest concerns or fears when moving from the bronx to canaan, nh?
My greatest concern, by far, was leaving my mother. As the only child of a single parent, we had become an unbreakable team. She was my biggest cheerleader and she supported me through the ups and downs of life, school, family, and athletics. She helped me to become the man I am today, and at the time I was unsure what my life would look like without her in it. Another huge concern was my ability to connect with my peers and make new friends who not only did not look like me but also came from different backgrounds than I did.
what would you tell a black student arriving on campus today? what do you wish someone had told you?
First and foremost, be you! There is a reason Cardigan accepted you into this community, and although you may feel alone at the beginning, the beauty of this community lies in its diversity. Second, speak up and share your story with others. Not only will this help people better understand the world from your perspective, but if you also meticulously listen to others, you will learn things you never considered. Third, find your joy in trying new things: keep your room clean, ask for help, stay organized, play a sport, and take as many art classes as you can. Fourth, never forget where you come from. Write to your family often, be the respectful young man they raised you to be, and always be the first to say hello.
what was your first impression of cardigan (the location, the campus, the people, etc.)?
My initial thought was, what in the name of fresh air and pine trees? To say that moving from the Bronx to Canaan was a huge adjustment would be an understatement. I wasn’t simply in a different town in a different state. I was in a different world; however, I quickly fell in love with the endless acres of fields, lakes, and mountains.
what was diversity at cardigan like? how did you deal with being one of three black students?
Global diversity at Cardigan is certainly one of its strengths. Sharing courses with students from around the world was an incredible learning experience for me and helped me broaden my cultural horizons. As one of three Black students, however, I did not see myself reflected in this array of diversity. There were times—such as when I was confused for another Black student or when I was questioned by white students about Black culture and traditions—when I struggled to feel known and seen. I spent a lot of my first year on the phone calling home to find my center. What ultimately helped me through this period was focusing on what I knew to be important and central to who I was, and continue to be— academics, athletics, and forming genuine relationships with others. Having a strong sense of purpose and self helped me to overcome the fact that I was different and celebrate what gave me strength.
– malCOm bOyD ’03
Malcolm Boyd while a student at Cardigan
did you feel welcomed, respected, and heard at cms?
I often felt misunderstood in the community as a whole. The lack of Black faculty and students made me question a lot of my knowledge and experiences prior to coming to Cardigan. Being surrounded, taught, and mentored by people who did not look like me or come from my background was challenging in my influential years, and I found it hard to connect and establish an authentic sense of self.
were you treated fairly?
I found my treatment at Cardigan to be fair, but not necessarily tailored to my individual needs as a Black man in this country. Overall, Cardigan has been molding its graduates to become extraordinary young men in a systematically unjust society; as a man of color, my experiences and perceptions of that society are fundamentally different and require varying support. Cardigan should do a better job of embracing the individuality of their students by considering this when educating, mentoring, and supporting its students.
what were the most important things you learned at cms?
As a student, I learned to value the struggle. Many aspects of our School are demanding. Managing the rigorous school curriculum, competitive athletics, campus jobs, and the general angst of growing up is a full docket for anyone. But mastering and overcoming these struggles showed me my true capability and made me want to set new, ambitious goals for myself. By far the most important thing I learned at Cardigan was to cherish the friendships that I made. Many of the people who I met during my time there have become my lifelong friends and have inspired and encouraged me in my later years.
in what ways could your cms experience have been better?
Although the student body was globally diverse, the faculty at Cardigan was not. So, having faculty and/or mentors of color who could have helped me to process and navigate both my time at Cardigan and the world beyond would have gone a long way to improving the overall quality of my experience. I want to work with the School to improve this facet for other students of color.
tell me about your dei work with the alumni board.
Diversity, equality, and inclusion has been on the forefront of many initiatives throughout my career, and it was Cardigan that showed me its importance at an early age. Attending this School shaped me into the man I am today, which is why I am teaming up with the Alumni Board to share my experiences as a man of color and to encourage current/future/past students to continue to push these important conversations about representation and inclusiveness forward into the future.
what are your goals with this initiative?
We each have a unique perspective on the world that stems from the ways in which we have lived and learned from each other. Without diversity and a clear emphasis on the value that each one of us brings to the table—as opposed to merely tolerating these differences—we lose the ability to achieve the kind of change that is needed to make Cardigan a place that delivers equality and opportunity to everyone.
To me it is important to understand that each student has not just an individual right, but also a responsibility, to offer his contributions to Cardigan. My goals are simple: r Begin and support these hard conversations on diversity, equality, and inclusiveness amongst students, faculty, and alumni. r Become an example of how to use the time at Cardigan to appreciate one another’s contributions through education, sports, and independence. r Represent Cardigan’s community by bringing together potential students and faculty from varied backgrounds and diverse locations. Collectively, our goal is to encourage conversations in the community about what it means to be a Cardigan boy for everyone, no matter your race or background, and hopefully diversify the entire community from the faculty and staff to the Board of Trustees.
To get involved in this effort and share your story, please contact Director of Alumni Relations Jeremiah Shipman ’00 at jshipman@cadigan.org. r
Alumni Athletes in Action
gavin bayreuther ’09
“The reason I chose to sign with Columbus is because of the opportunity there,” says Gavin Bayreuther. “Dallas was very good to me, but they have a lot of talent within their organization, so going to Columbus will give me another opportunity to showcase my game in order to become a full time NHLplayer.”
Mr. Bayreuther, who signed a contract with the Dallas Stars in March 2017 and played his first National Hockey League (NHL) game in November 2018, has signed a one-year, two-way National Hockey League/ American Hockey League contract for the 2020–21 season with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“From the moment I really started watching hockey after college, I really loved the way they play,” Mr. Bayreuther said during an interview with NHL.com. “I love what they stand for…They go into a lot of games being the underdogs; whether they are or not, the crowd kind of thinks of them as that…They attack teams. They don’t hold back. They play hard. They want to score, they want to win, and I think that’s really cool to see and really special to be a part of.”
reilly walsh ’14
The New Jersey Devils selected Reilly Walsh in the third round and 81st overall in the 2017 NHLDraft. Then this fall, Mr. Walsh decided to forgo his senior season at Harvard University and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Devils. During his freshman year at Harvard, Mr. Walsh was named to the ECACAll-Rookie Team, and during his sophomore year, was named to the ECAC Third All-Star and All-Ivy League Honorable Mention Teams. As a junior last season, Mr. Walsh produced eight goals and 19 assists in 30 games prior to the pandemic when the collegiate season was cut short. Reilly was once again named as an honorable mention to the All-Ivy League Team. He finished his collegiate career with Harvard, posting 27 goals and 51 assists for 78 points in 96 games played.
“We are excited to add Reilly to the Devils’ organization,” said Devils’ Executive Vice President/General Manager Tom Fitzgerald in an August press release from the New Jersey Devils. “Since being drafted in 2017, our staff has watched him blossom into the leader he is today, both on and off the ice. Walsh is a fast, puck-moving defenseman who has developed his all-around game this past season. He was a dynamic playmaker for Harvard, with an offensive mind that allowed him to easily transition and jump up into the play if needed. He has the skill set our club is looking for and adds to our stable of defensive professional prospects joining the organization.”
jonathan saklad ’16
Johnathan Saklad is playing football on Division I Wake Forest University’s defensive line. In 2019, at St. Paul’s School, Jonathan was a captain of the football, hockey, and lacrosse teams. He won the Gordon Medal as St. Paul’s best all-around athlete and sportsman and received the Gilman Door Blake, Jr. Football Medal for outstanding football ability and true sportsmanship. In 2018, he helped lead his team to an undefeated season, finishing the year with a 16-6 win over Pingree School in the Ken Hollingsworth Bowl. r
