Please add my remarks to the burgeoning list of kudos due Coach Donald Herman upon his retirement. We taught side by side for three decades, shared our tiny office and constantly exchanged coaching and motivational approaches over countless breakfasts. These concepts, within the umbrella of “old school” methodology, were born out of our own experiences, both as former athletes and coaches. Our students will always be our best teachers. They always taught us what worked and didn’t work.

Donald was the quintessential teacher/coach, always showing dedication to his two varsity sports coupled with a genuine concern for those student-athletes in his charge. Coaches don’t coach football, basketball or softball, they coach kids using their sport as the vehicle for learning.

Coach Herman’s teams’ various championships and coach of the year awards pale in comparison to his recent induction into the Massachusetts Football Coaches Hall of Fame. That is an individual honor few coaches experience, one decided upon by a wide range of coaching colleagues statewide.

Yes, he is an Island treasure who will be missed for years to come. We were truly blessed to have him in charge of so many athletes. It is a special trust when parents, school committees and administrators place kids in a coach’s hands season after season.

Clearly, he validated that same trust.

Jay Schofield
Vineyard Haven