RIP: FHS Track Coach Latif Thomas - Dec 7, 2022

"Latif Cornel Thomas, 44, of North Attleboro, MA passed away suddenly on Wednesday, December 7, 2022.

Over the years, Latif served as a coach of the sprints, hurdles and jumps at North Attleboro High School, Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro, MA and Franklin High School in Franklin, MA. Latif also served as co-director of the annual Complete Track and Field Clinic held at Harvard University. During his tenure he hosted over 1,300 high school sprinters, hurdlers and runners from all 50 states and 12 countries.

UNERAL HOME

Dyer-Lake Funeral Home and Cremation Services - N. Attleboro

161 Commonwealth Avenue

Attleboro Falls, MA

UPCOMING SERVICE

Visitation

Dec. 20, 2022

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

"Memorial Chapel" of Dyer-Lake Funeral Home

Please omit flowers. In lieu of flowers family and friends are welcome to contribute to Maya's college fund by going to Ugift529.com and entering the code X2V-P34.  https://www.ugift529.com/"

The full obituary can be found online ->

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/thesunchronicle/name/latif-thomas-obituary?id=38408445

FHS Panthers

FHS Football Gridiron: Letter to Fans from Coach Bain

FHSFootballGridiron (@fhs_gridiron) tweeted on Mon, Oct 10, 2022:

"Open letter from our coach to our fans. 

Panther fans rock!! https://t.co/gKb0GLUVkY"

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/fhs_gridiron/status/1579531676077916160

Open letter from our coach to our fans

Mike Lubin Named Franklin High School Varsity Girls’ Ice Hockey Coach

Franklin High School has appointed Mr. Mike Lubin as the school’s new Varsity Girls’ Ice Hockey Coach! Coach Lubin previously served as Assistant Coach for the Panthers.

He has been a part of the FHS Girls’ Ice Hockey program since 2018. Prior to joining the Franklin, Lubin was a member of the Auburn High School Ice Hockey coaching staff from 2008-2016.

“We are so excited to have Coach Lubin step into the head coach role for our Girls’ Varsity Ice Hockey program here at Franklin High School!” said Karrah Ellis, Franklin’s Director of Athletics. “Coach Lubin has an extensive hockey coaching background and we are looking forward to the upcoming season,'' said Ellis.

For more information please contact Karrah Ellis at ellisk@franklinps.net

About the Franklin Public School District:

The Franklin Public School District strives to nurture a safe, supportive, inclusive and collaborative learning environment in each of our 10 schools. We believe in providing an engaging and rigorous curriculum with exemplary instructional practices that will support and challenge students to reach their full potential through personalized learning opportunities. Our goal is to develop the necessary social-emotional, academic, and career skills for each Franklin student, so that they will be a productive citizen in an ever-changing world.

 

FHS Panthers

Franklin High School Names Chris Spillane Head Varsity Boys’ Ice Hockey Coach

Franklin High School is proud to announce the appointment of Chris Spillane as the school’s new Varsity Boys’ Ice Hockey Coach. Coach Spillane previously served as Franklin’s head coach from 1998 to 2019. Under his leadership, the team earned 14 Hockomock League Championships, four Division II State Finalists honors, a 2015 berth in the Super 8, and a 2016 State Title.

In addition to these accolades, Coach Spillane was honored as Coach of the Year by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association, Massachusetts High School Hockey Coaches Association, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and Hockomock Sports during his tenure.

Chris Spillane

“We are thrilled to have Coach Spillane once again join the Franklin High School athletic department and lead our Boys’ Ice Hockey Program!” said Karrah Ellis, Director of Athletics at Franklin High School.

Coach Spilliane brings with him a wealth of hockey knowledge as well as both playing and coaching experience. He stated that he is “excited for the opportunity to be on the Panther bench again!”

About the Franklin Public School District:

The Franklin Public School District strives to nurture a safe, supportive, inclusive and collaborative learning environment in each of our 10 schools. We believe in providing an engaging and rigorous curriculum with exemplary instructional practices that will support and challenge students to reach their full potential through personalized learning opportunities. Our goal is to develop the necessary social-emotional, academic, and career skills for each Franklin student, so that they will be a productive citizen in an ever-changing world.  https://www.franklinps.net/franklin-high-school/athletics-department

MIAA releases new videos for the Summer of 2022; support for coaches, students & staff

10 new video presentations to support coaches, students & staff are available on the MIAA website. Checkout THE HUB for great content from

@omaripearson

Link: https://miaa.net/the-hub/

MIAA releases new videos for the Summer of 2022; support for coaches, students & staff

FHS' Dumas, DeForge, Hopkins, Duffy; Powderly, Klawson, & O'Leary recognized for Hockomock League Outdoor Track

Below are the official 2022 Hockomock League Girls & Boys Outdoor Track All Stars, selected by the coaches in the league.

Girls HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE ALL STARS
Sarah Dumas, Franklin
Lily DeForge, Franklin
Elizabeth Hopkins, Franklin

Honorable Mentions
Lily Duffy, Franklin

Boys HOCKOMOCK LEAGUE ALL STARS
Tyler Powderly, Franklin
William Klawson, Franklin

Honorable Mentions
Brendan O’Leary, Franklin

Complete girls listing
https://hockomocksports.com/2022-hockomock-league-girls-outdoor-track-all-stars/

Complete boys listing
https://hockomocksports.com/2022-hockomock-league-boys-outdoor-track-all-stars/

FHS Panthers

My conversation with Paula Lupien, FHS Gymnastics Coach - 04/05/22 (audio)

FM #775 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 775 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Paula Lupien, Coach of the FHS Gymnastics team conducted on April 5, 2022.  Paula was announced in Dec 2021 as the Winner of the MIAA Coach of the Year award. We decided to wait until her season was complete  (and what a season it was) to have this conversation.

We talk about how she came into the role as coach after advocating to create a team, and how she has developed the program to be undefeated for 2 seasons in the Hockomock League, win the Sectionals this year, take 2nd in the State and then 1st at New England. What does the team do from here? It may be something of a building opportunity but the team is positioned to do good things next year and going forward.

The recording runs about 38 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Paula on April 5, 2022. Audio file ->  https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-775-paula-lupien-fhs-gymnastics-coach-04-05-22

--------------

Hockomock All-star selections  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/rudolph-named-mvp-leads-multiple-fhs.html 

D1 New England Champions  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/fhs-gymnastics-team-d1-new-england.html 

2nd place at MA State meet

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/03/fhs-gymnastics-take-2nd-place-in-miaa.html

1st Place at South Sectionals

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/fhs-gymnastics-take-first-in-d1-south.html 

State individual meet performances

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/fhs-gymnastics-performances-from-state.html

Emma White 2nd in All around

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/fhs-emma-white-takes-2nd-in-all-around.html 

1st place at Hockomock Championships

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/02/fhs-gymnastics-team-takes-1st-place-at.html 

Coach of Year - MIAA for Gymnastics

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/12/paula-lupien-named-2020-2021-miaa.html 

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Paula Lupien

FHS Asst Coach Jeff Ambrosini named as MBCA Asst Coach of the Year

"Congrats FHS Asst ⚾️Coach Jeff Ambrosini(@jeff_ambrosini) on being named the MBCA(@MassBCA) Asst Coach of the Year! Its been a privilege to share the dugout w/Jeff. His knowledge, character & work ethic are inspiring. His impact on our program has been immeasurable!" 

#PantherPride https://t.co/pvqM0XIyi4

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FHSCoachZBrown/status/1490993627593687040

FHS Asst Coach Jeff Ambrosini named as MBCA Asst Coach of the Year

Pantherbook Sports Highlights this week

From Pantherbook, we share these two articles. One on the hot streak the boys hockey team is on, and two, an interview with teacher and track coach Mr. Bailey.

The Player Perspective: FHS Boys Hockey Continues Their Hot Streak

"FHS Boys Hockey is back on the ice with a new-look team. Besides the sweet, new, baby-blue uniforms, these Panthers look fresh, thanks to almost an entirely new group of players on the Varsity team. Following last year’s COVID-altered, 10-2 season that saw 16 seniors graduate(!!), This winter, Franklin has found their chemistry posting a 11-5 record, including wins in 8 of their last 9. To see how the boys have meshed so successfully as of late, I caught up with FHS Boy’s Hockey Captains Ryan Sicchio (Jr.) and Aiden Hunt (Sr.):"

Continue reading the article online
https://franklinpanthers.us/sports/2022/02/01/the-player-perspective-fhs-boys-hockey-continues-their-hot-streak/ 

Teacher, Director, Track Coach: Meet Mr. Bailey

"Whether you know him as Coach Bailey or Mr. Bailey, get ready for an interview with one of FHS’s favorite staff members. Check out this video interview with our resident track coach and video production teacher!"

https://franklinpanthers.us/feature/2022/02/02/teacher-director-track-coach-meet-mr-bailey/

Paula Lupien - Named 2020-2021 MIAA Gymnastics Coach of the Year

Franklin High School is proud to announce that Paula Lupien has been named the 2020-2021 MIAA Gymnastics Coach of the Year. 

“Earning this prestigious honor does not surprise me in the least. When it comes to coaching, Coach Lupien is the total package”, states Athletic Director, Tom Angelo. “I attribute the success of our Gymnastics program to Coach Lupien’s meticulous attention to detail, her love for her student-athletes, and overall dedication to the coaching profession. 

Paula Lupien

The 2020-2021 winter season was Coach Lupien’s 5th year at the helm, culminating in an undefeated season, a Hockomock League title, and a 1st place finish in the Hockomock League Tournament. A professional member of USA Gymnastics, Coach Lupien’s primary goal is to build trust with her athletes and to bring out the best in themselves by setting a high bar and accomplishing their goals. “Paula is an incredible person who embodies everything that is right about the coaching profession. We are so fortunate to have her as part of our coaching staff”, states Tom Angelo. 

Over the past 5 years, Coach Lupien has involved her team in various community service projects in and around Franklin, MA. Some of these projects include Blankets for Cancer, Toy/Pajamas/Blanket drive for children in foster care, a Franklin Food Pantry drive, distributing holiday wreaths, and hosting gymnastics clinics for Best Buddies, and area youth programs.

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association selects their “Coaches of the Year” based upon excellence in character, impact upon students and community, and coaching credentials. 

Coach Lupien will be honored by the MIAA  at a celebratory awards banquet in January.

Paula Lupien: 2020-2021 MIAA Gymnastics Coach of the Year! 

View Press Release -> https://t.co/CmfFvSY9hJ  

Shared from Twitter ->  https://t.co/nap1l7nde8

Radio Margaritaville features Franklin's Pete Scaccia

Pete Scaccia (Franklin resident and longtime youth sports coach) is going to be the featured “Fruitcake on the Radio” on Radio Margaritaville this week.   His segment will air on SiriusXM channel 24 on the following dates:

10/21 @ 10:00am
10/24 @ 4:00pm
10/25 @ 8:00pm

10/22 @ 12:00am

Attached is a picture of the recent Facebook post from Radio Margaritaville.   Here is the content from the SiriusXM post for context (quoted content written by Pete):

https://www.facebook.com/radiomargaritaville/photos/a.401021882693/10158369169197694

Tune in Thursday morning at 10 AM EST to hear our new Fruitcake on the Radio/Guest DJ!!

“Hi my name is Pete Scaccia and I am your Fruitcake on the Radio. I live in Franklin, Massachusetts with my wife of 19 years and fellow concert goer Jacqui along with our two sons Nick and Ben. When not running a courier company I enjoy coaching my kid’s sports teams, driving with the top down on the jeep, fishing, scuba diving, clamming and just about anything else you can do on or around the water! I also enjoy collecting different types of maps and am a Civil War buff. Some of my favorite memories with my family have been around the water. Whether it was growing up spending summers on Cape Cod, living in Annapolis, MD, taking a Caribbean cruise or driving onto the beach in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Jimmy’s music can always be heard playing in the background.”

Radio Margaritaville features Franklin's Pete Scaccia

 

Franklin Public Schools, MA: Patriots All Access segment on FHS Coach Bain

Talk about #PantherPride

@FHSSports very own @Coach_Bain and was named New England Patriots High School Coach of the Week. Last night, the team was featured on @WBZ Patriots All Access. 

Check out the segment!
https://t.co/pe066zsB3x👈 

Shared from Twitter -> https://twitter.com/FranklinPSNews/status/1446910165215809543?t=nXSiIcV7BFgodO5nug1CSw&s=03

FHS Football Coach Eain Bain receives NE Patriot High School Coach of the Week Award

NFL Fall of Fame Linebacker, Andre Tippett, presenting Coach Eain Bain with the NE Patriot High School Coach of the Week Award. 

This award & $1,000 is made possible through the generosity of the Kraft Family & The Patriots Charitable Foundation. 

#PantherPride https://t.co/H6XJTrKSJa

Shared from Twitter: 
(https://twitter.com/FHSSports/status/1445479607570821131?t=VmyNzlE7qUvYoCWpMczETw&s=03) 

FHS Football Coach Eain Bain receives NE Patriot High School Coach of the Week Award

The Coaches Corner - "Win vs Duxbury"

FHS football Coach Ian Bain talks with Kevin Papa about the football game last week at Duxbury.

"The Coaches Corner... Live from CC studios  

@glenpharmer ..Duxbury Win !!  @Coach_Bain @Coach_Angelo @fhs_gridiron @FHSFAN @FranklinMatters @danorlovsky7 @BostonHeraldHS @tommycassell44 @HockomockSports"

Video link => https://t.co/cvoHWccmC5 or https://youtu.be/5bdMEBzeoWo

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevinjpapa/status/1443386056838156291?s=03

The Coaches Corner: Wachusett Win (video)

"The Coaches Corner! Wachsett Win! at The New Coaches Corner Studios

@glenpharmer

@Coach_Bain

@fhs_gridiron

@FHSSports

@jphref

@tommycassell44

@HockomockSports

@BostonHeraldHS

@danorlovsky7

"

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevinjpapa/status/1438329041963061250

Video link -> https://youtu.be/WME-VdKf14c

Dean College is looking for part-time Academic Coaches, is that calling for you?

Dean College is looking for part-time Academic Coaches

ACADEMIC COACH (PART TIME DAYTIME)

"The Academic Coach at Dean College provides a strategy-based approach to academic support for students enrolled in Academic Coaching, a fee-based learning program open to all students at the institution. Academic Coaches work both in person with students to address immediate academic needs while developing long-term independent skills in studying, reading, and organization. Academic Coaches help students become independent learners. Time management, organization and long-term planning are some of the skills that students gain through their experience in Academic Coaching. 

This is a fall-spring semester, part-time position fifteen to twenty-nine hours per week for 14 weeks each semester. Prospective candidates' must be available to work at least three days per week."

https://dean.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=135372

ACADEMIC COACH (PART TIME EVENINGS)

"The Academic Coach at Dean College provides a strategy-based approach to academic support for students enrolled in Academic Coaching, a fee-based learning program open to all students at the institution. Academic Coaches work with students to address immediate academic needs, while developing long-term independent skills in studying, reading, and organization. Academic Coaches help students become independent learners and to eventually transition away from tutorial support. Time management, organization and long-term planning are some of the skills that students gain through their experience in Academic Coaching.

This is a fall-spring semester, part-time position; eight to twelve hours per week for 14 weeks each semester. Prospective candidates' must be available to work at least two evenings per week for extended hours. Must be able to work additional days/evenings (or occasional weekends) to make up hours when necessary."

https://dean.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=133191

 

Dean College is looking for part-time Academic Coaches, is that calling for you?

Strive Ninja Warriors now hiring - "Kids Fitness Coach"

"If you love fitness, coaching and you are great with kids... Strive Ninja Fitness is the place for you!

We are currently looking for enthusiastic and driven individuals to join our fun and growing team!

What do we do?

We are a ninja warrior/obstacle fitness facility… we help kids and adults develop skills on obstacles that you might see on the TV show American Ninja Warrior or in Obstacle Course Races.

But what if I'm not a ninja?

Prior Ninja Warrior/Obstacle experience is not required, but it certainly helps to be excited about the idea of Ninja/Obstacle training (since that is what we do!). Being a fan of the TV show American Ninja Warrior is a plus! We will train you to help deliver outstanding gym experiences for our customers."

For the full job posting, find the details on Indeed =>   https://www.indeed.com/m/viewjob?jk=c8b0d50a2fe42f3c&from=mobhp_jobfeed&tk=1eu90sekgn55b800

Strive Ninja Warriors hiring - "Kids Fitness Coach"

New FHS volleyball head coach: Samantha Elliott

Franklin High School is proud to announce Samantha Elliott as the new Volleyball Head Coach. @fhspanthervball @HockomockSports @MetroWestSports @tommycassell44 @BostonHeraldHS @BGlobeSports pic.twitter.com/4WrqWrjXyy

— FranklinAthletics (@FHSSports) July 13, 2020

Samantha Elliott

Katie Holbrook = new Softball Coach at FHS

via HockomockSports.com we hear that Franklin has announced Katie Holbrook as the new Softball Coach at FHS.

Franklin High athletic director Tom Angelo announced last week that Katie Holbrook had been hired to fill the softball coaching vacancy created by Kate Fallon’s move to rival King Philip. Holbrook is the owner of Brand New Ballgame, a baseball and softball training facility in Wrentham, and has coached club and showcase softball teams for more than a decade.

Holbrook was familiar with the Franklin program, community, and players from her role at Brand New Ballgame, and was excited about making the Panthers her first high school coaching role.

“Between them coming in for team practices or working in private practice or clinics with some of the kids, I’ve gotten a chance to really know them over the last six or seven years,” Holbrook said in a phone call this week. “I had a tie to Franklin and when Kate moved over I thought it’s a good, strong program, there’s a desire for strong leadership and I have a good tie to the community. It was the right place.”

She also noted that the familiarity with the players could make the transition easier. She said, “They know who I am at least by reputation, so I think that’s helpful. They know I care about Franklin, that I know about softball, and that I do this day-in, day-out. So, I think the buy-in period may be a little shorter for me than maybe someone else who was new to things.”

Continue reading the article online
https://hockomocksports.com/franklin-announces-katie-holbrook-as-new-softball-coach/

Katie Holbrook = new Softball Coach at FHS

Franklin High School's Eian Bain named Patriots High School Coach of the Week

via the New England Patriots:

"With a 28-14 victory over Brockton on Friday Night, Franklin High School’s Eian Bain has been named this week’s New England Patriots High School Coach of the Week.

Franklin continued to impress in the MIAA Division I South semifinals, taking advantage of a breakout second quarter performance to propel them to a win over Brockton. The Panthers scored 21 points in the second quarter and added another touchdown in the third to separate themselves from the Boxers in the Division I South playoffs for the second consecutive season. The victory snapped a four-game winning streak for the Boxers. Senior quarterback Thomas Gasbarro established himself as a dual-threat in the game, completing 15-of-21 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 35 yards and another touchdown on the ground.

With the win, Franklin High School moved to 7-2 on the year and advanced to the final round of the MIAA Division I South playoffs. They’ll look to push their winning streak to five games and capture the Division I South finals title when they face off against Catholic Memorial on Friday night.

Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Andre Tippett, now the team’s executive director of community affairs, met with the Franklin players and coaching staff Tuesday afternoon to present the football program with a $1,000 donation on behalf of the Patriots Foundation, in honor of Coach Bain. The visit and check presentation will be featured on the Patriots weekly television show, “Patriots All Access,” which airs on Friday night at 7 p.m. on WBZ-TV in Boston and will be available immediately after on Patriots.com."

https://www.patriots.com/news/franklin-high-school-s-eian-bain-named-patriots-high-school-coach-of-the-week?

FHSl's Eian Bain named Patriots High School Coach of the Week