Hillside Middle School’s boys basketball team was on a special run this year. Thirteen days ago the Hawks learned they would need a new coach for the remainder of the season. Without a moment’s hesitation, Assistant Principal Sara Loughlin said, “I’m in. All in.”
Questions about the coaching choice poured in from parents and community members. Loughlin was singularly focused on one thing, though: doing what was in the best interest of these young men during this time of sudden change. Her thoughts immediately shifted to both their basketball and social emotional needs.
Sara Loughlin is one of five daughters. Parents John and Susan Madden instilled in Loughlin a strong sense of putting others and community first, and this is reflected in all she does every day at Hillside Middle School in her role as assistant principal working with over 1,000 students and 130 staffers. Though very accomplished, you would never know it by speaking with her. She is built to listen, to be positive and to provide a comfortable and enjoyable space for others. She is built to ask you about your life, not talk about her own.
During this overnight transition, the players, parents and community members had no idea the high quality of their new coach’s resume: A high school basketball, softball, volleyball and soccer player; a college softball player; 21 years at Hillside as a teacher and assistant principal; a softball coach for 15 years; a basketball coach for 20 years; a volleyball coach for 5 years, including Teen Team USA in Amsterdam; a volleyball referee for 10 years.
She took over the boys team just three days before the semifinals of the division one Tri County Tournament. The game was against Londonderry, Loughlin’s hometown and where she is in her second, three-year term as a school board member. A few questioned if there was a conflict. Those who know her well said absolutely not. Loughlin’s unassailable ethics and character are well known in both Londonderry and Manchester.
Loughlin led her boys to victory in the game against Londonderry last Monday at Hillside Middle School. In a fun, intense, back-and-forth battle, Loughlin’s Hillside Hawks prevailed in front of a raucous home crowd. It was the first time for many students, parents and colleagues to see the coaching side of Loughlin. Positive, focused, intense and knowledgeable.
After many more practices, she led her players, families, fans and colleagues into Derry’s Hood Middle School on Saturday night for the championship game against undefeated Salem, the only team the boys had lost to this year.
Sara worked the X’s and O’s all week long, working on the offense, defense, press and press breaker while weaving in a focus on many basketball fundamentals. The experience was unique, dizzying, intense and awesome.
Down ten points at halftime, Coach Loughlin was positive, upbeat and focused. “This is nothing, boys, we came back against Londonderry, we got this.” Two quarters later, Hillside had won by ten, emerging as Tri County champs for the first time in eight years. Fans joined on the court, lifting up and carrying their buddy and team star, Alvin, to the chants of MVP! MVP!
Assistant Principal Sara “Clark Kent” Loughlin received a call about a needed change, a moment later stepped into the phone booth and emerged as Coach Sara “Superwoman” Loughlin. She did not think twice about adding this to her roles of assistant principal, mother, wife, coach and Londonderry school board member. Because it was the right thing to do, and she would make it work. For the kids. Nine days and many interesting situations, discussions, emails and practices later, Coach Loughlin had guided these boys and our community back to the top of the hill. The Hill.
Well done, Assistant Principal/Coach Loughlin! She said, “I surely believe every Hillside player, alumni, and staff member contributed to this community win.”
Yes, but you led them there.
Loughlin’s father coached her and her sisters for over 20 years growing up. He was a fixture in the Londonderry community. John Madden sat in the front row for both of these games. Beaming. At center court after the championship game, someone mentioned, it must be like Father’s Day for him! However, you could tell by the look in his eyes that night, every day is Father’s Day for John Madden.
Last night, just four nights later, Sara led her Hawks into Southside Middle School for the city championship game against crosstown rival Parkside Middle School. She again had the boys focused and ready and they needed to be as Parkside was a tough opponent. Hillside pulled away in the second half for a 67-44 victory and the city title.
Sara Loughlin will cringe when reading this because she does not seek the limelight, she does not want the attention. But this is not a sports story; this is about someone and something we need more of in this world. Someone who lives for others, leads by example and builds community. Someone who does the right thing whether anyone is watching or not.
Those sitting in the bleachers on Saturday night in Derry were reminded of a popular Hillside saying, “Once a Hawk, always a Hawk!” The cheering section was packed with parents, teachers, students, and alumni. This was testament to the efforts Sara and her colleagues make every day to foster a positive, selfless and supportive community at Hillside Middle School.
Sara Loughlin’s role at Hillside is challenging and all consuming, but you would not know by speaking with her. She is a leader and community builder.
Susan and John Madden, the Hillside and Manchester communities thank you for the example you set for Sara. They now thank Sara for the example she is setting here. The Hillside community enjoyed this thrilling two week, two championship ride for sure. However, they won the title long ago when they hired Sara Loughlin and gave her the space and support to start building community. Just like her dad had done.
-Story by Hillside Nation