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11/26/2015 11:00 PMFor the past three years, Geoff Konstan worked as an assistant basketball coach at John Winthrop Middle School. Now, he takes the reins for the girls’ varsity squad at Valley Regional. Geoff has graduated in a sense and he couldn’t feel more thrilled to be in his new position.
“This is the pinnacle of coaching for me,” Geoff says. “I’ve lived in the town, gone to many of the events, worked with the kids before they got to high school and then in the summer league, so I have a great relationship with the players and knowledge of their skills. I also know many of the parents and even most of the opposing players because we faced them when I was at John Winthrop. This is my dream job and I hope to coach for Valley for the next 20 years or as long as they will have me.”
Geoff, a Middletown native, has lived in Essex for the last 11 years. He’s not only coached basketball at John Winthrop, but also with some travel teams for those in middle school, AAU hoops for 8th-graders, plus the high school summer league squad. In the spring, Geoff has lent his services to the middle school girls’ soccer program and he also coached in the youth ranks for the Valley Soccer Club from 2006 to 2014. Geoff’s familiarity with Valley’s young athletes certainly gives him a leg up and he’ll also be coaching someone he knows quite well in his daughter Sadie, who’s a freshman at the high school.
“I’m excited to coach my daughter. But I’m even more excited that she gets to watch and learn from the great players and talented athletes we have like my captains Francesca Daniels and Libby Spitzschuh,” says Geoff. “They’re not just great athletes. They’re also tremendous role models for our younger players.”
Geoff’s dedication to his community and passion for athletics have certainly not gone unnoticed. One person who will be seeing those traits regularly is Valley Athletic Director Jeff Swan.
“We are very pleased and lucky to have Geoff. He is extremely well liked and respected. I believe he is the perfect fit for the girls’ program. Geoff has great basketball knowledge and an enthusiasm for the sport and he’s not a good fit—he’s a great fit,” says Swan. “One thing I need from coaches is communication and Geoff is a wonderful communicator. I know he is very excited to do the job and the kids are thrilled, as well. They all know him from being their coach when they were younger in middle school and the kids can’t wait to play for him again.”
Geoff is planning to implement an up-tempo system that thrives by way of transition on offense with the Warriors. Defensively, his team will press and pressure the ball. Geoff’s ultimate goal, though, is for the kids to have fun.
“The main thing I would like to achieve is to find the balance between winning and enjoyment. I won’t sacrifice the kids’ enjoyment. I believe if they are happy and having a good time, that it will lead to winning,” he says. “Of course, I want to win games, I want to go to Shorelines and states, but the main thing is that the kids have a positive experience. I’ll also stress fundamentals. If you can play defense and rebound, you have a shot in every game.”
While Geoff is teaching the game to his athletes and fostering excitement on the Valley court, it might not be too long before opposing teams get envious of the Warriors’ uniforms, as well. Geoff’s company, Gorilla Graphics, makes apparel for high schools all around the state and he’s also worked with big-name clients like Disney, Ben and Jerry’s, and Jimmy Buffett. Geoff definitely has something special up his sleeve for this year’s attire.
“We got our start doing tie-dyes and grew our business and branched out into uniforms and warm-ups for all sports,” Geoff says. “I’ve always enjoyed making things for the local school teams, which includes both the boys’ and girls’ basketball programs at Valley, but I definitely have an added excitement in making things this year for the girls’ basketball team. I’ve met with the captains and Susan Daniels, who is the head of the Valley Girls’ Basketball Booster Club, and we’ve come up with some great garments and designs that we’ll be wearing this season.”
Of course, what Geoff is most excited about is seeing his athletes run the floor during the upcoming season. He’s been doing his homework by reaching out to colleagues and friends and their counsel has already been instrumental for Geoff as gets ready for his first go-around at the high school level.
“I’ve seeked out advice and gotten a lot of inspiration and information from Tim Tredwell, the head coach of the Daniel Hand girls’ basketball team. Tim has given me a huge amount of his time, helping me with planning and preparation in just about every area,” Geoff says. “Matt Mesite, who was head coach of the girls’ basketball team at John Winthrop during the three years I was an assistant [has also spoken with Geoff]; Matt Needleman, the former head coach of the Valley’s girls’ basketball team, is a great coach who has given me advice along the way; and the boys’ basketball coach at Valley, Kevin Woods, has also has given me help and advice.”