ROY WILLIAMS
citation by Clare Evans, Beth Holland, and Janet Thacker Costello
The sport of sailing has a deeply rooted history in Newport, Rhode Island. Within the realm of high school sailing, the addition of Roy Williams in 1991 as head coach of the St. George’s sailing team will stand as a defining moment. Although Roy also served as both assistant (’91-’00) and varsity cross country coach (’01-’05), he is best known for his time continuing and expanding upon the exceptional tradition of St. George’s sailing.
Many remarks about Roy’s accomplishments would be worthy of comment. His outstanding winning record includes a compilation of 27 New England Championship titles and two National Championships in Team Racing. In 1998, his team became the first in history to win all four New England Championships in one season. After winning the Baker National Team Racing Championship in 2016, St. George’s was awarded High School Sailing Team of the Year.
Roy’s impact extends far beyond wins and championships. Aspiring sailors from across the country have come to St. George’s just to sail for Roy. With a keen eye for potential, he demanded the best from his athletes, holding them to a standard of excellence both on and off the water. As evidenced by both the countless college All-Americans and the lifelong sailors who have come out of the program, Roy’s greatest accomplishment may be how he consistently pulled his sailors upward, guiding them beyond what they thought possible. Beyond sailing, he believed in the development of character and integrity — even when it came at the cost of a victory. For Roy, winning was important, but doing so the right way was paramount.
As a lifelong learner always looking for ways to improve the program, Roy was committed to his own development and sharing it with his sailors. Over the years, the sailing program constantly evolved, adopting new technologies, strategies, and techniques. He especially enjoyed learning from his past SG sailors who had moved into the collegiate level and beyond, often implementing their suggestions and insights.
Roy was an astute master of getting the job done properly and completely with uncompromising attention to detail, as there was the “Roy aka right” way of doing many things. He held both himself and his team to this standard, making the sailors stand out both in high school and as they moved on to college. Roy focused on cultivating responsible and respectful young adults just as much as he sought wins on the water. His relentless pursuit of excellence lifted not only individuals but the entire team, creating a culture of accountability, hard work, and mutual respect.
Roy also had a deep commitment to the sport of sailing beyond just the sailors on the team. His assistant coaches were empowered under his guidance, as he gave them his full trust and unwavering support, allowing them to make invaluable contributions to the team. His influence also extended to the broader high school sailing community through his active participation in both the New England Schools Sailing Association and the Interscholastic Sailing Association, along with his support of fellow coaches. His wisdom and guidance left an indelible mark not just on his own sailors but on students across the region, even if they didn’t don a St. George’s pinny on the water.
It would be remiss not to mention Roy’s unique coaching style — never yelling, but always “coaching at a high volume.”
Now, all these statements are worthy accolades and true. However, sometimes it is the most humble of characteristics that sets someone apart. With Roy, it isn’t just the list of distinctive qualities that would be expected from an award-winning coach but rather the depth of enjoyment of simply sharing his passion with his sailors and seeing them become their best. All the rest followed because of that true and deeply ingrained care and joy which extended past the classroom, past the skills gained on the water, and to the individuals themselves. This isn’t something that is taught in a book, learned from a seminar, or gained by watching hours of game video. It’s not even something someone tries to do better. It is a true gift — one to be celebrated, acknowledged, and honored — that distinguishes Roy Williams.
JAMES O. MAHER, M.D.
citation by John R. Mackay
Jim Maher has been a fixture on the sidelines of St. George’s football for over 30 years and has treated scores of Dragon athletes through University Orthopedics. As a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, his services have been invaluable. Jim is an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, chairman of Orthopedic Surgery at Newport Hospital, and the former president of the Newport Hospital staff. Throughout his career, he has specialized in the treatment of student, recreational, and professional athletes, including serving as the team physician for Salve Regina University and the Newport Gulls collegiate baseball team, as well as working with professional tennis players at the ATP Hall of Fame Tournament and professional sailors at the Volvo Ocean Race.
Among the many honors Jim has received is the Rhode Island Athletic Trainer’s Association’s Frank Murgo Service Award, given for his efforts and dedication to athletes and athletic trainers across the state. More specifically for St. George’s, he has treated SG athletes for rehabilitation, treatment, and surgeries. One beneficiary of his care is SG Hall of Famer Lewis Usher ’99, who suffered a severe knee injury in his sophomore year. Jim’s expertise throughout Lewis’s surgery and recovery allowed Lewis to achieve athletic greatness on the Hilltop and in college. Wendy Drysdale, as SG’s Head Athletic Trainer, worked closely with Jim throughout her career. She recounts valuing his presence on the sidelines and credits his tales of office visits and surgical procedures for furthering her education as an ATC. Ms. D. remembers more than a few Saturday game days when Dr. Maher would be whizzed to another sports field during the football halftime to evaluate a potential surgery injury of a soccer, cross country, or field hockey athlete. The parents of the injured players appreciated that the school had an orthopedic surgeon on the sidelines, ready to help with questions and concerns. Dr. Maher exuded confidence in SG’s athletic trainers and their treatment of athletes.
For the entirety of my career as athletic director and head football coach, I was comforted to know that Jim was on our sideline at Crocker Field, knowing that our athletes would always receive the best care. It is with gratitude that I welcome Jim to the St. George’s School Sports Hall of Fame.
ADOLPHE W. COULIBALY ’04
citation by James A. Bullock Jr.
In 2002, Adolphe Coulibaly arrived on the Hilltop from the Cote d’Ivoire and made an immediate impact on the SG community. He arrived a few weeks after school began and his reception by the entire student body was nothing short of a celebration. His English was tinged with his native tongue French and he stuck out like a sore thumb at 6 feet 6 inches tall. People saw his gentle smile, felt his warm embraces, and much more importantly, observed his humility, all of which led to the many genuine friendships he gained from both the students and the faculty during those years. Adolphe was a gifted athlete and he was remarkably skilled on the soccer field, basketball court, and the track. His movements as an athlete were both graceful and powerful. He had speed, touch, and a competitive fire burning within.
He received many awards during his time at SG and while playing basketball in college. In basketball, he was named MVP of the Kingswood-Oxford Tournament and team MVP in 2003. He was also recognized as the MVP of the ISL in track and field that year. In 2004, he was once again named the team MVP for basketball and received the Samuel Powel Cup on Prize Day, for excellence in athletics and for promoting the spirit of hard, clean play. After a stop at Brown University, Adolphe starred for the basketball team at Amherst College. In 2006, he was named to the All-Tournament Team and in 2007 he helped his team to the NCAA Division III National Championship.
One special award that I recall was the ISL Sportsmanship Award that he won in 2004. It was a prestigious award and treasured highly in the league. A coach from another team spoke up about Adolphe saying that not only had he lifted the fortunes of a basketball team, but he felt that Adolphe had lifted the spirit of the entire school. He said the crowds were more energetic and boisterous and that he saw a large number of faculty members in the crowd, cheering loudly. He used a word to describe him that I had never heard used to describe an athlete. That word he used to describe Adolphe was “noble.” It was no surprise that Adolphe won the sportsmanship award with a unanimous vote. Over the years, I have often thought about that meeting and
that word, “noble,” which means “having or showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles and ideas.” Adolphe was a great athlete and he is an even better human being. At this moment, Adolphe, on the other side of the ocean, your father is very proud of you — and your mother is listening.
Congratulations to the noble one, Adolphe Coulibaly, on this well-deserved induction into the St. George’s Sports Hall of Fame.
JUNIUS C. DAVENPORT IV ’95
citation by John B. Harvey ‘97
The 1990s marked a transformative era for St. George’s boys’ lacrosse, culminating in their first ISL championship and the dawn of a new legacy. In 1991, a freshman named Junius Clay Davenport III — known as Jay — arrived from Manhasset, New York. Mentored by lacrosse legend John Gagliardi and many other Long Island greats, Jay brought an elite skill set to SG that he sharpened and fine-tuned while on the Hilltop.
Relatively unknown in the New England lacrosse circuit, Jay quickly established himself as a defensive powerhouse. The first freshman ever offered a spot on the varsity team at SG, Jay earned a starting position by mid-season alongside players years his senior. His fluid technique combined agility with strategic foresight, allowing him to anticipate opponents’ moves. With swift precision, he stripped seasoned players of the ball, leaving crowds in awe and building a formidable reputation.
By the end of his sophomore year, Jay had solidified his status as the most dominant takeaway defenseman in New England. That year, he earned a spot on the prestigious Long Island team for the Empire State Games, becoming the first sophomore ever selected. It was there that his performance first caught the attention of top NCAA programs. By his junior and senior years, he was recognized as the best takeaway defenseman in the country. His fierce competitiveness and artistry on the field were unmatched, and it wasn’t long before top college coaches took notice, all eager to recruit this standout talent. Ultimately, Jay chose the University of Virginia as his collegiate home and was an impact player immediately in his freshman year. Jay was a member of the National Championship team in 1999, and two ACC Championships in 1999 and 2000.
Lacrosse wasn’t just a one-season endeavor for Jay; he approached the sport with the dedication of a true athlete. Like many today, he studied the game meticulously, analyzing tape and honing his skills in and out of season. Jay was always coachable and committed to year-round training, tirelessly perfecting his technique to elevate his performance on the field. Jay raised the standard
for what it meant to be a lacrosse player at St. George’s, reshaping the program’s culture for years to come. A true student of the game, Jay was also a dedicated teacher, sharing his knowledge and techniques with teammates during and after practices.
During his time at St. George’s, he earned 10 varsity letters. Jay was a fouryear member of the varsity football team, a two-year captain of the basketball team, and captain of the lacrosse team. His accolades include two-time AllISL honors, ISL Lacrosse All-American (1995), Boston Globe All-Scholastics, ISL MVP (1995), three-time All-State Rhode Island Lacrosse, and Rhode Island Lacrosse Player of the Year (1995).
Despite his many accolades, Jay remained humble, always crediting his teammates for their collective success. His passion for the game runs deep. Jay has spent the past 15 years giving back to his community by coaching Darien Town Lacrosse and local club teams, inspiring the next generation of players. Jay’s competitive spirit shaped his character and has been instrumental in his career success. “Dedication, punctuality, and collaboration — all things I learned here on the Hilltop, are powerful tools on and off any field,” he said.
When it came time to choose a career path, Jay decided to pursue banking. The transition was not as daunting as it might have been for others, thanks to the lessons he had learned through sports. In the fast-paced world of finance, competition was fierce. Drawing from his athletic experiences, Jay approached his career with the same determination he had on the field. He set ambitious goals and pushed himself to exceed them, earning the respect of colleagues and clients alike. He understood that success required not just individual effort but also the ability to work well with others.
SARAH DICK ’07
citation by Kelly B. Richards
Sarah Dick (affectionately known as “Dickie”) came to us from Shore Country Day, where she was a major award winner in all three sports – field hockey, ice hockey, and lacrosse. She later became a major award winner here on the Hilltop. A threeyear starter in three sports, Dickie was an immediate impact player on the field and the ice. Her 5-foot-2-inch stature and goofy grin belied her strength and intensity.
Every day, Dickie earned the award she received on Prize Day for being the best female athlete in the school. In field hockey, she could generate attack from the backfield with athletic ease; in ice hockey, she could strip any player of the puck and create forward momentum with her signature, efficient footwork; in lacrosse, she could thread the needle from behind the goal to set up her teammates for the winning goal. In all her sports, Dickie was always a star who made others shine.
Dickie’s natural athleticism garnered her a laundry list of accolades in her three years as a Dragon: Her teammates elected her the Most Valuable Player in all three sports, and her coaches led the campaign for her All-League selection in all three sports all three years. In her senior year, Dickie was honored by opposing coaches with All-New England status in field hockey and lacrosse.
Most importantly, though, the fact that Dickie was voted a captain in all three sports at St. George’s offers the key to understanding what made her a significant contributor to our athletic program and the school at large: Dick, also a school prefect, commanded respect from peers and adults alike. Humble, selfless, and talented, Sarah embodies the definition of teamwork. Dickie loved to play every day and wanted everyone to play with her — and love it all just as much. Her self-deprecating humor, easygoing demeanor, and allembracing inclusivity made it easy for others to join in on the fun.
Dick went on to play lacrosse at Claremont-McKenna College, where her play took the team to four NCAA Division III Championships and won the program’s first two SCIAC Championships. At CMC, Dick graduated as the Athenas’ all-time leader in goals (203) and single-season leader in points (98). As cited on the CMC athletic website, “Dick was a three-time All-Region
and All-American selection. In addition, during her senior season, she was selected as team captain, Team MVP, National Offensive Player of the Week by the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association, and SCIAC Player of the Year while leading a squad that won the SCIAC championship and was ranked No. 1 in the West Region and No. 16 nationally.”
We should not be surprised that Dickie is in the top 5-ever at CMC in career assists (65). While she boasted remarkable stats, Dickie should be celebrated for her selflessness. Sarah leads with joy, humor, and passion for the game, which is why her teams have always succeeded. Any group is better — in fact, is at its BEST — under Dickie’s care.
Dickie will always love the CMC Athenas, who inducted her into their Hall of Fame in 2022; much like the goddess Athena who aided the Greek heroes, Dick guided her teammates to greatness. The Dragons, though, were the ultimate benefactors of Dick’s athletic wisdom when from 2011 to 2013 she returned to coach at her beloved alma mater. Dickie now lives in her hometown of Beverly, Massachusetts, with her husband, Tom, and newborn son, Albie. A Dragon, an Athena, and now a mom, Dickie is a leader who inspires those around her to be their best selves.
SIU LYNN LEONG ’01
citation by John R. Mackay
The arrival of Siu Lynn Leong from her native Malaysia in January of 2000 was a monumental moment for the St. George’s girls’ squash program. Although Coach Sam Jernigan’s 1999-2000 squad was veteranladen, Lynn’s presence took the program to a whole other level not previously experienced. At the time of her arrival, Lynn held the No. 2 world ranking in her age group along with a Southeast Asia Games championship. Almost immediately that month, she beat St. Paul School’s reigning New England champion in three straight games, sealing the program’s fate as one of the teams to beat in New England. Ultimately at season’s end, SG came in third in the top New England division behind perennial powers Greenwich Academy and Hotchkiss, with Lynn claiming the individual championship. Among her other honors during her junior year were being named Boston Globe AllScholastic, All-New England, All-ISL, ISL MVP and team MVP. In 2000-01, Lynn led the SG squad to a winning record while repeating as New England champion as well as all of her other honors. Along with a strong academic record on the Hilltop, Lynn chose to attend Trinity College, the top collegiate squash program in America.
At Trinity, Lynn continued her dominance, earning First Team All-American honors in 2002, 2003, and 2005, while helping lead the Bantams to the National Intercollegiate Team Championships in 2002 and 2003. In 2002, Lynn was the National Intercollegiate Individual runner-up. On top of her athletic accomplishments, while earning a bachelor’s degree in photography, she served as a photojournalist intern for the Hartford Courant newspaper and received the Fern D. Ave Award for Graphic Arts, the Friends of Art Award, the Trinity Papers Award, and the Trustee Award for Student Excellence. In addition, Lynn was a NESCAC All-Academic in all four of her seasons at Trinity.
Upon graduation in 2005, Lynn began her career as a squash coach and ambassador of the game — in San Francisco, New York City, and Holland. She then founded and directed Pinnacle Squash in New Haven, which
promotes youth squash in a variety of areas. Since 2017, Lynn has served as coach for Yale University’s men’s and women’s squash programs, following in the footsteps of one of her mentors, Dave Talbott, who dubbed her “truly one of the strongest coaches currently in the College Squash Association.” Lynn is a U.S. Certified Level III Coach and is an assistant coach of the U.S. Junior National team. She does all of this while dedicating herself to Yale’s community and diversity efforts as a Davenport College Fellow.
Lynn’s accomplishments both at SG and beyond more than qualify her as a Hall of Famer. It is with great pride that we welcome Siu Lynn Leong to the St. George’s Sports Hall of Fame.
SYDNEY B. MAS ’10
citation by Lucy Hamilton
Sydney Mas arrived on the Hilltop in the fall of 2007, having completed all of her previous academic years at Rippowam Cisqua School in Bedford, New York. As an unassuming third-former, Syd embraced St. George’s culture of playing a sport during all three seasons, always appreciating the mentorship she received from her older teammates on the varsity soccer, hockey, and lacrosse teams.
An undeniably powerful athlete, Sydney used her height to her advantage as a forward on the soccer pitch. With excellent footwork and a scoring mindset, she led by example during her three years playing on the varsity squad. Though she missed her senior season due to injury, Syd remained an active member of the team, contributing during practices and games in any way she could.
A four-year varsity hockey player and a captain her senior year, Sydney combined strength and speed as a forward on the ice. Her booming slap shot and her physical play, combined with a fierce competitive spirit, made her a formidable presence. She had the uncanny ability to always be in the right place at the right time, scoring when her team needed it most. Syd was the ultimate gamer.
Sydney contributed end-to-end on the varsity lacrosse field during her four seasons. In the midfield, her 6-foot frame allowed her to gracefully collect the ball in midair off the draw. Her tenacity in the defensive end resulted in knockdowns and caused turnovers. Laser-focused on the goal, Syd thrived in the offensive end: Her creative shot selection and ability to skillfully maneuver through even the slightest defensive openings made her nearly unstoppable. In her senior year, she served as a captain, earned All-ISL and All New England honors, and was selected by her teammates as Team MVP. Syd always brought infectious energy and humor, mentoring the younger players who looked up to her — both literally and figuratively.
Sydney went on to play Division I lacrosse at the University of Vermont and made an immediate impact with the Catamounts, earning America East Rookie of the Year honors. She earned conference and national recognition every season, and in her senior year was named to the IWLCA Northeast Region All-America First Team as well as tabbed the America East CoOffensive Player of the Year. Syd finished her lacrosse career in 2014 as the nation’s active leader in career goals. Ten years after graduating from UVM, Sydney still ranks within their top-four women’s lacrosse record holders in six different categories: most career points (255), most career goals (218), most career draw controls (169), most points in a season (70), most goals in a season (60), and most games played (69).
While the collegiate accolades are many, the SG memories linger: gathering in King Hall for team breakfasts on game days, arriving to lacrosse practice in costume each week for Theme Thursday, and competing every Middlesex Weekend with an added intensity fostered by the rousing support of the entire school community. On behalf of that grateful community, it is an honor and a thrill to welcome Sydney Mas to the St. George’s Sports Hall of Fame.
MICHAEL H. TAYLOR ’06
citation by John R. Mackay
When Mike Taylor arrived on the Hilltop in the fall of 2002, he followed in the footsteps of his older siblings, Bill ’04 and Abby ’03, who both had established themselves and looked out for their kid brother. Blessed with grit and determination and a never-back-down attitude, Mike played linebacker and although the squad didn’t enjoy much success that season, Mike established himself as a tough 14-year-old, earning a rare starting position as a third-former. His rough-and-tumble style of play extended to the basketball court and lacrosse field in the winter and spring seasons.
Playing both as a running back and middle linebacker his fourth-form season, Mike proved himself a team leader, delivering and absorbing contact on almost every play and hardly ever leaving the field of play. He led the team in tackles while earning All-ISL and All-NEPSAC honors, further cementing his legacy as an athlete to be reckoned with.
Mike grew significantly as he entered his fifth-form year. He was elected captain and proved to be one of the finest prep players in New England, repeating his sophomore year honors while also being named the Boston Globe’s ISL Player of the Week for his efforts against St. Mark’s, as well as being named the squad’s MVP after leading the team in tackles and rushing. Off the field, he excelled in the classroom, consistently earning high honors grades and earning the respect and admiration of his peers and the faculty, all while maintaining a “tough-guy” persona.
As the captain returned for his sixth-form year, Mike was determined to turn the program’s fortunes around despite the Dragons’ difficult schedule. Although he had many impactful games and moments, the one that stands out as his greatest was his effort against a powerful St. Sebastian’s squad. On a late October Saturday playing in a freak near blizzard in Needham, Mike scored 22 of SG’s 26 points to defeat the Arrows, rushing for three TDs (gaining 102 yards on 16 carries), kicking an extra point and a 30-yard field goal (in miserable conditions), and amassing 21 total tackles — while never coming off the field.
Due to his performance, Mike again earned the Globe’s ISL Player of the Week Award (and would repeat that feat a week later in a game vs. St. Paul’s where he rushed for 198 yards). He led the program to its first winning season in over a decade, while again being named team MVP, All-ISL, AllNEPSAC and coming in second in the league coaches’ voting for ISL MVP.
In the spring, he captained the Dragons’ lacrosse team as its leading defenseman. On Prize Day, Mike was given the Powel Cup, awarded to the top male athlete in the sixth form.
Coupled with Mike’s outstanding academic record, he was granted early admission to Amherst College, where he continued his gridiron career in outstanding fashion. He became a starter in his sophomore season and led the team in tackles in his junior and senior campaigns. In one of his finest efforts, against Tufts in 2009, Mike amassed 16 tackles, three for losses, two sacks, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and two pass breakups. The Lord Jeffs finished the ’09 season undefeated with Mike leading the defense, being named NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year and earning Division 3 All-American honors.
Following graduation from Amherst College, Mike moved back to his native Chicago to work for Merrill-Lynch. He then joined Adams Street where he is currently a partner at the firm. Mike earned an MBA from the Wharton School at UPenn. He married his high school sweetheart, Nina Roberts ‘06, and today they have two beautiful children: son Henry, 2, and daughter Charlie, 1. They’ve moved east to Katonah, New York for Mike’s work and a little closer to the Hilltop. It is my honor to have coached Mike during his high school days and to welcome him as a most-deserving inductee to the SG Sports Hall of Fame.
2005 BOYS’ HOCKEY TEAM
citation by Ryan P. Mulhern ’91
The 2005 boys’ hockey team was the first team in the history of St. George’s to bring home a New England Championship, and there was no luck involved in this accomplishment. This was the Dragons third consecutive trip to the New England Championship game and the third time proved to be the charm. The architects of this team were Head Coach Rich Dempsey and Director of Admission Jay Doolittle. For years, St. George’s teams were successful in the ISL and the New England playoffs, with many SG hockey teams making a run, but they just couldn’t go deep in the tournament and the school had only won one Eberhardt Division championship since 1978.
Rich Dempsey, who was named HNIB Coach of the Year, possessed a special competitiveness and work ethic as a recruiter. His tireless work ethic was evident when the best team ever assembled at SG hit the ice. In 2003, with an influx of new players, the team was being talked about throughout New England as a young and talented group, a team to watch. This group of players started a run of success never seen on the Hilltop. In 2003, when the bulk of the team were sophomores, they lost in the New England Championship game to Proctor Academy from New Hampshire. The following season, in 2004, they won the Eberhardt league championship and lost again in the championship game of the New England Tournament this time to South Kent School from Connecticut.
Just the right injection of players into one of the most talented teams in prep hockey was just what Coach Dempsey needed for the 2004-2005 season. The team was made up of explosive forwards, high-scoring defensemen, and goaltenders who always rose to the occasion. The senior class of Passemato (captain), Bertrand, Guthrie, Lareau, McNally, Roberts, and Soros (assistant captain) were the heart and soul of this team. The junior class included Carro, Chatterton, Longo, Nordlund, Vandenberg, and Webb. Corkery and Lyall were the only sophomores, and Carrellas, Curtin, Fogg, Hahn, and O’Brien all contributed to the team’s success as freshmen.
Shea Guthrie was named HNIB Player of the Year, drafted by the New York Islanders, and starred at Clarkson University. The Dragons were an experienced team; they played with grit, confidence, and poise, and easily captured the New England Championship with a 5-2 drubbing of Hoosac School from New York. This team was tight-knit and they enjoyed their time together both on and off the ice. It was an amazing three-year run and this squad is deserving of their place in the St. George’s Hall of Fame.
