For Students, By Students
The Portledge Press
"Hey Hills..."
1st Edition
Hey Hills Foreword:
A long time ago, I wrote a blog called 'Hey Hills.' Members of the Portledge community would ask me questions about myself or Portledge, and as long as they weren't too personal, I would answer them to the best of my ability. We’ve decided to rekindle this process as part of the new Portledge Press. So, in each issue, I’ll answer a few of the questions that have been submitted.. If I don’t get to your question—don’t worry—I’ll probably get to it in a later issue. If something else comes up in your mind, feel free to ask another question…….so here it goes.
- Phillip Hills
First Question:
Hey Hills ... how do you have enough energy to teach five classes and coach three sports?
Well, that’s a good question because sometimes I think I’m just nuts even to attempt to do this every year, but the honest answer is that being around students so much, both in the classroom and on the field, keeps me busy and young. The interaction I have with the students in my classes is slightly different from the interaction I have with the players on the field and at the rink. Also, it’s a good representation of my commitment to the school, and it illustrates that people can be equally intellectual and athletic, which I think is essential for people to embrace.
Second Question:
Hey Hills ... what is the most memorable game you have experienced in all your years of coaching Portledge Athletics?
That’s a tricky question because I’ve been involved in thousands of games while coaching at Portledge, but one stands out. In the spring of 1998, the Varsity Boys Lacrosse team was 16-0 and had advanced to the NYMLA championship game. Our opponents in this exciting match were Fordham Prep from the Bronx, who were also 16-0. Portledge had two All-Americans, attackman Will Bodine and midfielder Marc Perry, and Fordham Prep had an All-American goalie. The game went back and forth until, with one minute left, Portledge trailed by one goal. That’s when our bagpiping face-off man Devin Blaine won a draw that Marc Perry picked up and ran down the field. As Perry entered the box, he spotted the team’s top assist man, James Lenz, to the left of the net and passed him the ball. Lenz then quickly passed to Blaine, who had been running toward the goal since taking the face-off, and Blaine beat the goalie with a bounce shot to tie the game. After a raucous celebration, Blaine won the ensuing face-off, and Portledge had the ball with a chance to win this epic game. After calling time out to set up a play, Portledge executed a perfect flip play that left Perry open for a shot. As he stumbled and almost fell to the ground, he let loose an underhand shot that squeezed through the Fordham goalie’s legs, thus winning the game for Portledge and securing an NYMLA Championship and an undefeated season for the Panthers. There was a huge crowd that day, and the game was one for the ages…….
Last Question:
Hey Hills ... how long does it take to style your hair?
That’s a simple question with a remarkable answer because, for something that looks so good, it takes only three to four minutes - two minutes on dress-down days. I add the slightest dab of hold, then comb all the hair forward before finding the” just right” spot to part the mop. That’s it…..