Anna Dechert

If you have ever attended a varsity boys' hockey game here at Deerfield, then you have most likely noticed the man who stands commandingly over the team's bench as your eyes scanned the players waiting for their line to come on. Coach Jim Lindsay has occupied this position for the past sixteen years, guiding his teams to a collective record of 241-73-17. After sixteen years as head hockey coach, he is stepping down.

As a student at Deerfield, Coach Lindsay was a member of the varsity hockey team all four years. During his senior year, as captain of the squad, he was the recipient of the Deerfield Hockey Cup. After graduation in 1970, he played for Brown University for one year before deciding to leave Brown and join a junior hockey team in Canada.

In the fall of 1975, Coach Lindsay returned to Deerfield and reentered the hockey program. This time, however, his place was behind the bench rather than on the ice, and a clipboard took the place of a hockey stick. His first year back, Coach Lindsay was assistant coach for the varsity squad. For the following nine years, he moved around as head coach of the junior varsity and thirds hockey teams. In 1985, Coach Lindsay became former Coach Jay Morsman's assistant for the varsity team, moving up to the head coaching position two years later.

When asked what memories stand out from his years both as a player and a coach, Coach Lindsay responded that what made the best moments in his hockey career were the players with whom he worked. There was one game, however, which brought a reminiscent smile to his face.

During his years playing for Deerfield, Andover was considered their most challenging game in the lineup. Andover had been undefeated for five consecutive years when Coach Lindsay and his teammates upset their record. Other than that game, the high point of his career here has been having "the privilege to coach such great players and wonderful kids."

Coach Lindsay believes that over the past ten or twelve years, Deerfield has established itself as one of the premier hockey programs among New England preparatory school. What's the secret? A tradition of excellence that accompanies our name attracts many of the most talented and brightest players.

According to Coach. Lindsay, this is exactly what makes our program stand out from the rest: the players. Not only are they extremely gifted hockey players, but they readily participate in many other areas of the school as well.

This year alone, there are eight students on the team who played varsity football in the fall, and seven who contributed their skills to the varsity soccer team. Another aspect of Deerfield that Coach Lindsay noticed has benefited from the hockey players is the dance program. Especially this year, Coach Lindsay says the players tend to be "invested in class and strong contributors to Deerfield as a whole."

Coach Lindsay has been contemplating retirement for a few years now. Although he has been "blessed with this opportunity" as a coach, a varsity team takes a huge amount of time and energy. Coach Lindsay will be handing his position over to present Assistant Coach Brendan Creagh, who he believes is "appropriate [for the job] and understands the hockey tradition at this school." After taking a sabbatical next year, Coach Lindsay will be returning to the stands as a devoted fan. "We've had a great run," he notes. "I'm not really sure what I'll miss 'til I miss it.