Coaches+Break+Records+and+Forge+Historic+Winning+Legacy

Coaches Break Records and Forge Historic Winning Legacy

June 6, 2023

Coach Yocum – Girls Lacrosse

Head Coach Yocum triumphant on the Edison High field.

Head Coach Ms. Sara Yocum has secured the title of winningest coach for girls lacrosse. 

Yocum began coaching lacrosse two years ago in the 2021 spring season and, last year, achieved her winningest season of 9–6. Currently, the team is first in the White Division with a conference record of 71 record and 95 overall, as of the time of publication.

The Eagle’s Eye reached out to Yocum for insight into her recent milestone.

 

 

 

EE: What made you get into coaching girls lacrosse, and how long have you been doing so?

SY: I played in high school at South Plainfield High School. I never imagined coaching the sport myself, but when I was hired here I was asked my other abilities and I mentioned coaching, as I had coached cheer for years already. I was then asked if I could coach anything else and I shrugged and said, “lacrosse maybe?” That exact year I was hired as an assistant and then took over as head coach in spring 2021.

EE: What has coaching been like, and what have been major games and experiences you’ve had?

SY: Coaching is a roller coaster. I experience a myriad of emotions. I am very passionate and take every practice and game seriously. It is stressful yet so rewarding when I see my athletes reach their full potential and achieve their goals. Major games were beating South Plainfield last year for the first time followed by our great start of a season this year thus far. 

EE: What have been some difficulties?

SY: As all teams, we experience minor difficulties. Roster changes, position trial and error, and of course getting over the large learning curve is a challenge. Unlike most towns, Edison has no youth program. So I am quite literally tasked with teaching all of these athletes the sport. Everyone comes up a rookie to the sport when they join the team. 

EE: How do you feel about becoming the winningest coach? Now that you are, how do you plan to continue this positive trajectory for yourself and the team?

SY: It feels awesome! But honestly, it’s more of a testament to the awesome three teams I have coached. My first year we went 512, second year 96, and currently we are 72. I am the fourth head coach in program history, which has existed since 2012. I hope to stick around for a bit to continue to aid in the program’s success. I am just so grateful I was given the opportunity to coach and it’s truly my passion.

Coach Abene – Baseball

Head Coach Abene in his element, coaching third base.

 

Mr. Vincent Abene, head coach of Edison baseball, has secured the title of winningest coach.

Abene has been a long-time baseball coach, and this year has been a turnaround from the previous season record of 7–17–1, with an overall record of 14–9 so far. 

Recently, The Eagle’s Eye interviewed Abene to obtain perspective on his achievement.

 

EE: How long have you been coaching for, and what got you into it?

VA: I have been coaching baseball for 28 years, and have been the head baseball coach at Edison High School since 2003. Baseball has always been an important part of my life, and as far as what got me into coaching, it was the natural progression to stay involved in the sport I love.

EE: What were some important experiences you have had as a coach, and how do you feel about becoming the winningest one?

VA: Baseball provides many lessons and experiences. It mirrors life in that you need to be prepared for any situation at any time. Sometimes you don’t always win, but if you can learn what you need to do better the next time, you are always getting better.

The focus right now is on the 2023 team. Becoming the winningest coach is something I will reflect on when my career is over. It took a lot of great players, coaches and administration to get there, so all those people that have been involved are definitely a part of this.

EE: What have been some difficulties throughout your coaching tenure, and how have you overcome them?

VA: I wouldn’t say we had difficulties, I would say we have had some challenges over the years. One of the biggest challenges has been participation at the youth level. All we can do is encourage any young athlete that baseball is fun and you can learn valuable life lessons through the sport. You will build life long lasting relationships.

EE: How do you plan to continue this positive trajectory for yourself and the team?

VA: Every year we try to do something to add to the players’ experience. Whether it’s a new drill, new uniforms or a new philosophy. It is all about making it better for our student athletes. It keeps me and them on their toes from year to year.

Coach Mohr – Boys Basketball

Head Coach Charles Mohr of the boys basketball team.

Head Coach Mr. Charles Mohr has become the winningest coach of the boys basketball team. This winter, the team finished with a record of 8–14, and 7–7 in the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC).

 The Eagle’s Eye requested Mohr’s thoughts on his newfound record.

 

 

 

 

EE: How long have you been coaching for, and what got you into it?

CM: I’ve been the Boys’ Head Coach at EHS since 2003–04. Before that I coached at Rahway HS and Middlesex County College. I played basketball in high school and college and I’ve always loved the game. I had some great coaches that had a positive impact on my life and I wanted to do the same for others.

EE: What were some important experiences you have had as a coach, and how do you feel about becoming the winningest one?

CM: I enjoy seeing the progress a team makes starting in the summer and throughout the season. All coaches want to win games, but there is a lot more to coaching than that. Team sports are a great way for students to have success, face adversity and learn how to deal with both. There are many life lessons we can learn by being a part of a team. I must say one of my favorite parts of coaching is when former players come back to EHS and tell me they are doing well in school, jobs, life, etc. 

I am very proud to be the winningest boys’ basketball coach at Edison High School. There are many people who played a part in this accomplishment, everyone who has coached with me, all of the players, the administration and my family. I feel very fortunate to be a part of the Edison High School community.

EE: What have been some difficulties throughout your coaching tenure, and how have you overcome them?

CM: Some of the difficulties have been: rebuilding the team the year after a senior heavy team, playing a tough schedule, having to practice late because of lack of gym space. These difficulties are a part of coaching and I have had great people coach with me to work through these issues.

EE: How do you plan to continue this positive trajectory for yourself and the team?

CM: The way the program stays on this positive trajectory is through hard work. We have summer workouts and we participate in a summer league. In the fall, we have strength and conditioning workouts. During the season we have practice three days a week and we play three games per week, so we are together a lot. This helps us to build our team culture.

Coach Fulham – Football

Head Coach Fulham observing the field during a football game.

Outgoing Head Coach Mr. Matthew Fulham has become the winningest football coach after a long career at Edison High. This year, the team had a season record of 9–4, and defeated Lenape to win a sectional title for the first time since 1991.

 

The Eagle’s Eye interviewed Fulham about his accomplished career at Edison High.

 

 

EE: How long have you been coaching for, and what got you into it?

MF: I have been coaching high football for 30 years; 23 years here at Edison HS. Five years as an assistant coach and 18 years as the head coach. I started playing football in high school and then continued to play in college. I absolutely loved everything about the sport and knew I wanted to coach when I was finished playing. 

EE: What were some important experiences you have had as a coach, and how do you feel about becoming the winningest one?

MF: The best experience was winning the Central Jersey Group V State Championship this season. It is the schools first title since 1991. I am so proud of our team and coaching staff. They really worked so hard and dedicated a lot of their time in order to be successful. I would also like to thank Mr. Ross and the entire administration for their support over the years. They were also a big reason for the success our program has had over the years.

Another important experience that I am proud of is Edison High School now holds the All Time Rivalry record vs JP Stevens. When I became the head coach in 2005, JP was way ahead in the rivalry. It was one of my goals to change that record. EHS has currently won fifteen of the last eighteen years including the last nine years in a row. We have dominated JP Stevens and currently own the All Time Season Rivalry 27–26–4.

EE: What have been some difficulties throughout your coaching tenure, and how have you overcome them?

MF: The biggest difficulty throughout the years has been trying to balance the time needed to prepare a football team for success and the time needed for family and a full teaching schedule. Being a head football coach is a 365 day a year job. The time demands in season are extensive and sometimes mentally and physically challenging. During the off season and summer, monitoring player academics and behavior, college preparation, strength and conditioning training, practice, staff development, fundraising, planning team activities, evaluation and implementation of proper football fundamentals and techniques, require a tremendous amount of time, preparation, and planning. 

EE: How do you plan to continue this positive trajectory for yourself and the team?

MF: The future of our program looks strong. The entire coaching staff will return and Matt Yascko is now the head coach. He is knowledgeable and experienced to lead our program. Our coaching staff is the best in Middlesex County. We return an experienced and talented group of seniors that hopefully set a positive example for our younger players to continue our culture of success. 

 

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