Coaches offer more than just input during games; they have an impact upon players both on and off the court.

One such coach is gym teacher Ms. Konstantakakos, also known as Coach K. Coach K coaches Boys’ Varsity Fencing in the Fall and Girls’ Varsity Fencing in the Spring, as well as Girls’ Varsity Gymnastics in the Winter.

Coach K’s players revere her for concern for them both in and out of the sport. In a sport where the slightest arch of the back, or a change in angle can cause a spectacular fall, our gymnasts trust Coach K to be there for them.

“Coach K is very dedicated and committed to the team.”

“Gymnastics is a half-physical, half-mental sport, and in order to gain new skills and become a better gymnast, you need to trust your coach with your life, literally. One wrong step or bent arm could cause you injury, but Coach K has allowed us to have the confidence to believe in ourselves and our own abilities, as well as to spot us when we need help,” Sophie Wechsler ’17 said, a member of the Girls’ Varsity Gymnastics Team since her freshman year.

“I remember one time, we were supposed to have practice the day before break, but no one wanted to show up. My two teammates and I were the only ones who went, so after about an hour of practice, Coach K ordered pizza for us as a treat, and we ate it in Room 005 while talking about the team, our routines, and school,” Wechsler said.

“Coach K is very dedicated and committed to the team. You can tell she really wants us to succeed, and she pushes us to do our best,” said Corinne Stonebraker ’17, also a member of the Girls’ Varsity Gymnastics Team since her freshman year.

Coaches are also known for having quirks that keep the sport enjoyable for the players. Many coaches play to the ‘science’ part of Bronx Science athletes, bringing math and science and even a diverse vocabulary to the sport.

“Mr. Mei uses a lot of unnecessarily big vocabulary words and creates scouting reports of players on opposing teams,” said Michelle Kim ’18. Kim has played on the Girls’ Varsity Basketball team, coached by Mr. Mei, since her freshman year. Mr. Mei also coaches the Boys’ Cross Country team in the Fall and the Boys’ Outdoor Track team in the Spring.

One of any Wolverine’s favorite memories is an anecdote about their coach from a practice or a game. Whether it was cheering someone up when they were having a bad day, or going out of their way to do something special for the team, many of our coaches leave a lasting impact on their players.

“One of my favorite memories from the bowling season would be the time that Mr. O’Hara organized a bumper practice after playoffs ended, as he had promised at the beginning of the season. The lanes were pretty much empty because the season had ended, but we still had fun with each other’s company. We had an enjoyable practice without having to worry about our scores,” said Trisha Lee ’18, a first-year member of the Girls’ Varsity Bowling Team. Trisha also played Girls’ Junior Varsity Softball with Coach O’Hara during her sophomore year.

Coaches do not just train athletes through a sport; coaches leave a lifelong impact upon their players that reach far beyond the court, field, and gym.