Mr. Kenneth Collins This is Me

Education

 Web References

1. 1. R Magagzine - Directors Message

   www.southwindsor.org/Recreatio - [Cached]

   Published on: 8/23/2002   Last Visited: 8/24/2003

   A Tribute to Mr. Ken Collins
   
   For those of you who may not know, Mr. Kenneth Collins will be retiring from the South Windsor public school system, after 35 years of service, at the conclusion of this school year. As a friend, both personal and professional, I would like to dedicate my seasonal message to him.
   
   After graduating from Springfield College with a bachelor's degree in physical education, Ken began what would become a long and illustrious teaching career in South Windsor at the Pleasant Valley Elementary School back in 1968. Eight years later, Ken transferred to the Orchard Hill Elementary School, staying there for two years before settling at Timothy Edwards Middle School, where he stayed and flourished for 25 more years! Although Ken loved teaching, coaching was his real passion. Had it not been for the efforts of former Athletic Director, Charlie Sharos, Ken would most probably have ended up employed with the Town of Simsbury, CT, who at that time had been actively trying to recruit him.
   ...
   Can you imagine what would, or better yet what would not have happened had Ken not stayed in South Windsor. Well, please allow me to share with you some of those "things".
   
   • Throughout the 1970's Ken coached the South Windsor High School (SWHS) boys Junior Varsity (JV) soccer team, and yours truly just happens to be a former player of his! Creator of life-long memories - that's Ken.
   
   • In 1972 he initiated and administered the town's first summer soccer program sponsored through the recreation department. Although only 25 youngsters signed up that first year, Ken was persistent to grow the program. At its peak, participation reached nearly 600 youths! Persistence - that's Ken.
   
   • In the mid-1970's he instituted elementary school after school intramurals, and the recreation department's first youth open gym program. Innovative - that's Ken.
   
   • In the fall of 1982, Ken coached the very first Timothy Edwards Middle School (TEMS) girls soccer team. Willing risk taker - that's Ken.
   
   • In 1983 he directed the first girls summer soccer program for the recreation department accommodating four teams. Women's sports advocate - that's Ken.
   
   • In 1983 he advocated for the development of and coached the very first, girls JV soccer team at SWHS while simultaneously coaching the girls soccer team at TEMS! Commitment - that's Ken.
   
   • Also in 1983 he became a resident of South Windsor where he and his wife Kathy raised two wonderful and successful children, one (Colleen) of whom followed in dad's footsteps and became a teacher, at TEMS no less! Family values - that's Ken.
   
   • In 1984 Ken was instrumental in adding the girls varsity soccer team to the SWHS interscholastic athletic program. Always looking to improve and expand - that's Ken.
   
   • In the mid-1980s to accommodate his coaching partner Neil Beaulieu, Ken shifted his coaching duties from the boys 7th & 8th grade basketball team to the girls 7th & 8th grade basketball team.
   ...
   Unbiased, unselfish and flexible - that's Ken.
   
   • Ken coached the TEMS track & field team for 10 of the 25 years he was there. To build the program his philosophy was cut no one, play everyone. It wasn't unusual for him to have 60-70 kids on his track team! Fair - that's Ken. (Please note: today the track program is one of the most popular and requires screening of athletes to avoid overcrowding.)
   
   • In 1987 Ken, started and coached the town's first inter-town girls travel basketball team (the predecessor to today's successful program). Girls hoop wasn't all that popular back then and after only 3 years the league folded. Ahead of his time - that's Ken.
   
   • Also in 1987 Ken, along with co-founders Jerry Smutney and the recreation department, formed the South Windsor Soccer Club (SWSC).
   ...
   Ken served as the charter president of the club which at that time fielded three travel teams and six in-house teams. The club now boasts 17 travel teams and dozens of in-house teams, accommodating well over one thousand players! Visionary - that's Ken.
   
   • The years 1990-1992 saw Ken coaching the girls varsity basketball team at SWHS. Helpful - that's Ken.
   
   • From 1992 to 2003 Ken concentrated on his teaching and coaching solely at TEMS. Loyal - that's Ken.
   
   Phew! Need I go on? I submit to you that South Windsor would, in fact, be far less blessed without Ken Collins. So, what do others have to say about Ken Collins? Jan Tirinzonie, TEMS Principal, has known Ken for 15 years and had this to say about him: "Ken's truly committed to the total child.
   ...
   "Ken's a dedicated professional, a loyal friend, and I can't think of anyone else that I'd rather have worked side-by-side with each school day."And former student athlete David Rounce was quick to characterize Mr. Collins as, "a great guy, one of the most positive influences in my life, always encouraging, always there for you."
   ...
   "Ken's a dedicated professional, a loyal friend, and I can't think of anyone else that I'd rather have worked side-by-side with each school day."And former student athlete David Rounce was quick to characterize Mr. Collins as, "a great guy, one of the most positive influences in my life, always encouraging, always there for you."
   ...
   Collins never lost faith in me and told me not to worry because some day I would have my time to shine."
   
   If you ask Ken Collins what accomplishments he is most proud of, it won't be an undefeated season, or winning a championship. That's just not Ken's style. He'll tell you about the two years the girls varsity soccer team at SWHS won the Sportsmanship Awards as recognized by the state soccer officials association in 1985 and again in 1989 as selected by the state soccer coaches association. He'll tell you about how proud he is to have been the chair of the first Title IX Committee for the South Windsor Board of Education, and subsequently serving that committee for five years. (Title IX was the civil rights act mandating equalization for women's interscholastic sports programs.) That's just the kind of guy Ken Collins is!
   
   In closing, I'd like to share my sentiments about Ken Collins. I am proud to say that I have known many sides of Ken Collins for many years, and he has taught me so much… … as my coach, he taught me about respect for others and for the game.
   
   … as a colleague and mentor, he taught me about professionalism.
   
   … as a parent of a son he has coached, he taught me about consistency and pride.
   
   … and as a friend, he taught me about loyalty.
   
   Ken has been an unselfish supporter of physical education and recreation and their fundamental philosophies. Ken has been a quiet and willing contributor to the development of our youth. Ken has been a true professional in every sense of the word. Ken has touched thousands of lives, and all that he has touched has blossomed and flourished. Without question, South Windsor is a better place because of Ken Collins.
   
   One of a kind - that's Ken.
   
   On behalf of the South Windsor Recreation Department - thanks for being Ken Collins!