Guided Raiders to three straight playoff appearances
By: Rudy Brandl
Hillsborough High head field hockey coach Kim Flynn was holding out as long as possible, hoping she wouldn’t have to make that difficult decision.
Having built a solid, respected and competitive program, Flynn didn’t want to leave her coaching position despite the fact that she was no longer teaching in the school district. After juggling her teaching position in the Bernards district and coaching duties in Hillsborough last fall, Flynn found out that her full-time position will no longer afford her the opportunity to coach the Raiders.
Flynn officially stepped down Apr. 18 and sent a letter to all the returning players in the HHS program. It was a very emotional time for the entire Raider field hockey family.
"Everyone assumed I wasn’t coming back, but I didn’t want to confirm or deny it because I didn’t know," said Flynn, 30, who spent nine years in the program including seven as head coach. "I still wanted to come back and coach but after meeting with the (Bernards) administration I found out I can’t do it."
Flynn, like most high school coaches, is a teacher first so there wasn’t much she could do about the scheduling conflict. The Bernards school district was very flexible last fall, which allowed Flynn to fulfill her coaching responsibilities in Hillsborough. She negotiated that flexible schedule so she could continue coaching. The daily grind wasn’t easy.
"It was taxing being out of the loop a little and having to rush," said Flynn, who spent her previous eight years as an English teacher in Hillsborough. "It was tough meeting all my new curriculum needs and going all the way to Hillsborough."
Nevertheless, Flynn continued her trend of improving the team every year. The Raiders, even if only by a game, made yearly progress during Flynn’s tenure as head coach. If they won five games one year, they’d win six the next season. If they qualified for the state playoffs one year, they’d win a post-season game the next season.
Hillsborough advanced to the sectional semifinals last fall before losing a heart-breaking 1-0 game at Steinert. The previous season ended with a dramatic shootout loss at Piscataway in the state tournament. Flynn also guided the Raiders to a pair of semifinal appearances in the Somerset County Tournament. The Raiders came close to making a trip to the finals but fell a goal short both times.
Flynn and her players developed a tight bond. They laughed together when Flynn forgot that overtime was no longer sudden death and ran on the field to celebrate when the Raiders scored, and cried together when a season ended with a crushing defeat. That’s what made saying good-bye so difficult.
"Of course, I’m upset," said junior Colleen Yancheck, one of next year’s team captains. "It’s not going to be the same."
Peach Reigle, who served as Flynn’s assistant the past two years, will take over as head coach. Flynn is confident the program will be in very capable hands.
"She is energetic, young and has great experience," Flynn said. "There’s no doubt that she’s the person to successfully lead this team in the years to come."
"It’ll definitely be a smooth transition," Yancheck added. "She has so much energy, she’s amazing. She’ll fit right into (Flynn’s) shoes."
Flynn, who was married last August, hopes to start a family within the next few years. She’s planning to pursue a Supervisor’s Certificate at Rutgers with her father, Tim, and will do some officiating in her spare time. She’ll also be a fan of Hillsborough field hockey forever.