Bonnie Tyler, Connecticut – 2001
Bonnie began her teaching career in 1965 when she started a field hockey at Winthrop, Maine, High School. During her tenure at Winthrop High School, she also coached basketball and softball. She then moved to Avon, Connecticut, where she again started a field hockey program which she coached until 1984. During the 1980’s, she inaugurated a field hockey developmental program. In addition to field hockey, Bonnie also coached varsity basketball at Avon.
Her league affiliations have been with the Northwest Conference League (now the North Central Connecticut Conference). Complete records of teams’ achievements are not available, but she had approximately 400 wins and 80 losses. Her field hockey teams won many championship titles: league championships in 1976, 1982, and 1984. Her 1983 team was the only field hockey team to be unbeaten in the three league divisions.
In addition to field hockey, Bonnie coached middle school track and basketball. She served as a member of the CT Field Hockey Committee and the Northwest conference Field Hockey Committee (chairperson, 1977). She has been a member of the CT Coaches Association for 25 years and the National Federation of High School Coaches for 20 years.
Bonnie stated that: “I never dreamed that I would finish my 35-year teaching career coaching the developmental team that I started so long ago. What a wonderful way to end my career!”