by Elizabeth DiLauro
Not only is Meg McGovern a math teacher at Quinn Middle School, but she also has a second job as a JV soccer coach for Hudson High School. I sat down with her to discuss this new job and to learn more about her as a coach.
Q: Why are you coaching at Hudson High?
McGovern: I work over at the middle school. I coached a few years ago, and I really like it. I played soccer all through high school and college. I just really like being a part of a team and getting to know the players on a different level apart from the classroom. It’s just a lot of fun for me.
Q: Do you have any background in soccer?
McGovern: Yes. I played for four years at King Philip, which is in Wrentham. Then I played for two years in college at Endicott College in Beverly. And then I coached for two years in Canton, which is also in Massachusetts.
Q: How long have you been playing soccer?
McGovern: Since I was probably seven, so around fifteen to twenty years.
Q: Does your background in soccer affect the way your team plays today?
McGovern: I think maybe a little bit. I was never the best player, but I always worked the hardest. That’s what I try to stress to my players. Even if you aren’t the most skilled be the hardest working. Nobody should be able to beat you on that.
Q: What do you think makes a good coach?
McGovern: Someone who can relate to the girls, keeps a positive attitude even if things aren’t going the way that everybody hopes they were going but also keeps the game fun. I had a high school coach who took the fun out of the game for me, so I really try and keep that aspect in the game for the girls.
Q: How do you relate to the girls?
McGovern: For some of them it’s easy because I had them in the classroom last year, but I’m not that far removed from how old they are, so I can still relate to what they are going through with academics and their social lives and everything like that. I just try to be open to anything they need to talk about.
Q: What advice do you give your players?
McGovern: Just to work their hardest every day. When you step on the field it’s about soccer for that hour and half to two hours that you’re out there. It’s a time where you can kind of let off some steam if you need to, to have fun but just work hard.
