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10/06/2016 12:00 AMBen Willis has come to know the ins and outs of field hockey during the past decade. This fall, Ben is embarking on a new adventure that involves teaching newcomers all about the game.
Ben is the husband of longtime Guilford field hockey varsity assistant/JV coach Kiernan Willis. Throughout the past eight years, Ben learned a lot about field hockey by watching Kiernan’s teams compete. Ben was a volunteer coach for Guilford field hockey last fall and, when a permanent position opened up on the coaching staff, Ben jumped at the chance and is now the Indians’ new freshman coach.
“I met Kiernan when she was coaching, so I went to the games and started asking her things here and there about the game. Through her, I also became friends with [Guilford Head Coach] Kitty Palmer and then I learned the game through the years,” says Ben, who serves in the U.S. Navy Reserve. “They were looking for someone last year, but I could only do it on a volunteer basis. I felt I had a good support group to help me learn the game and I really got to know the program and the girls last season. With Kitty, I felt comfortable enough to integrate my own ideas to coaching. The previous freshman coach then said she couldn’t do it this year. Kitty and [Guilford Athletic Director] Jake Jarvis came to me and offered me the job, so I applied, and here I am.”
While managing a loaded roster of 25 freshmen, Ben knows it’s important to make sure they all get their time on the turf. He also takes great pride in impacting the girls’ growth toward becoming well-rounded people.
“You are getting some girls that have never played the sport before, so I want to get everyone playing time, so they get to know it. I’m also big on playing hard, but practicing harder. I grew up with Yale football and I’m also a big University of Notre Dame football fan, so I’m about the student first. I want to make them better people as a coach and make sure they are doing the right things in and out of school,” Ben says. “It’s great knowing that as freshmen, these girls will help the program’s future. It’s also nice to know that they’ll walk out of here in four years being the best person they can be and you had a positive impact on that. It motivates me as a coach.”
Coach Palmer praises Ben for how rapidly he picked up on field hockey. She adds that Ben has quickly endeared himself to his athletes, while dedicating himself to the Indians.
“Last year, Ben was extremely helpful to not only the freshman team, but all three teams. Being an athlete himself, he learned the game quickly. The girls liked him right away and loved having a man’s perspective, as did I. Ben took the coaching certification course this summer and he took over the freshman team by himself this fall—25 girls, the most we’ve ever had,” says Palmer. “Ben goes in early to work, so that he can get to the high school for a 2:30 p.m. start, whether it be a game or a practice. He is fair to all kids and gets all 25 into the game with ease. He is a great role model as he not only works hard with the freshmen and at work, but he has to leave us from time to time to fulfill his naval requirements. Again, he is a great help to all three teams and we are very fortunate to have him in the program.”
Ben says the fact that he gradually learned about field hockey is proving beneficial when it comes to teaching his athletes. Ben adds that confidence and camaraderie are going to be two essential components of his program.
“Learning the game myself and being able to teach it to the girls, it makes it easier for me to explain new things to them and tell them it’s OK if this is the first time they are holding a stick. With me being new to the game, it motivates them to be confident in themselves. Hopefully, I instill some confidence in them when they leave,” says Ben. “Teamwork is the biggest thing at the freshman level. This is the first team many of these girls have ever been on. You have to learn to be a good teammate here. We don’t start drills or practices until everyone is there. We always cheer on our teammates in a positive way, no matter what. It all helps to build that camaraderie.”