This year, the Stone Ridge Athletic Department has had several new additions, including a new full time P.E. coach, an interim trainer, and a new interim assistant athletic director.
Mr. Patric Farrell, the new Physical Education teacher, is a certified fitness professional, among the many other roles he passionately takes on in the Stone Ridge Community.
Coach Pat, as he is known to students, has been in the Stone Ridge community for four years, serving as the JV soccer coach for four years, then working part-time last year as the Middle School P.E. teacher. He is now working full-time as the All-Division Physical Education teacher.
Coach Pat can also be seen coaching the Middle School soccer team and developing P.E. programs for the Upper School, including Walking Club.
“Stone Ridge offers me an amaz-
ing variety of jobs, and everyone in the Athletic Department helps me balance it out,” says Coach Pat.
Coach Pat graduated from the University of Delaware in 2004 with a major in English and a minor in history, but for his sophomore and junior years, he transferred to West Virginia Wesleyan College to play Division II soccer.
Coach Pat also attended the Theatre Lab in D.C. where he took acting classes. After college, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career, and he was an extra on the hit TV shows Scrubs and Gilmore Girls.
Coach Pat uses his passion and charisma in his teaching and channels his acting background to engage his students.
“Even though I wanted to act, I knew deep down that I wanted to teach,” Coach Pat says. “Acting really helped me form my career as a teacher.”
Coach Phil Playing College Lacrosse
Mr. Phil Lipka is the interim assistant athletic director and the facilities and special events assistant filling in for Coach Maddie Keegan, who is out on maternity leave through the end of the school year.
Coach Phil graduated from and played Division I lacrosse for Mount St. Mary’s University, where his team won two conference championships. He also earned his MBA there.
This is Coach Phil’s first year working in an athletic office. He coaches Middle School basketball and lacrosse and is also a lacrosse coach at Gonzaga.
Coach Phil has always loved sports and being around athletes.
“Sports teach you so much about life. You can work your whole life and you can do everything right, but you won’t make it until you try your hardest,” says Coach Phil.“Coaching at Stone Ridge has helped me put the fun back into sports.”
Ms. Beth Hagler doing a handstand at a top of a mountain
Ms. Beth Hagler is the interim Middle and Upper School athletic trainer, filling in for Marisa Gorbsky, who is also out on maternity leave through the end of the school year.
Ms. Hagler graduated from Westchester University and has been a certified athletic trainer for five years. She has worked at DeMatha High School, Fairfax County Public Schools, and George Mason University.
“Sports is what my life revolves around. I love the inclusion that comes with being a part of a team,” says Ms. Hagler, who says her greatest joy comes from seeing the progression of each athlete.
This is Ms. Hagler’s first time working at an all girls’ private school.
“I feel really welcome here,” said Ms. Hagler. “Compared to working with guys, we talk more and I have gained more of a connection from the girls here, which is really nice.”