Bob Aronson Thanks Community; 'Moves Forward' from MHS Lax

Former boys' lacrosse coach Bob Aronson issued a statement Wednesday through the Organization to Reinstate Coach Aronson (ORCA) to thank the lacrosse community for its support and ask everyone to "move forward" with the school administration's decision not to renew his contract.

Aronson, the only coach in the varsity program's 11-year history, was informed by the school administration this past December that his contract would not be renewed for the 2012 season and told by MHS principal Robert Parga the lacrosse program would be "going in a new direction," according to a .

Members of ORCA, led by chairman Robert Treiber II, attended the Feb. 13 and March 6 School Committee meetings to voice support of Aronson and

ORCA members asked Schools Superintendent Bob Maguire to consider reinstating Aronson, but he declined, calling the decision “final,” saying he supported the decision made by his administrators.

Aronson, addressing the situation publicly for the first time Wednesday, released the following statement through ORCA:

“I would like to say emphatically that Medfield High School means more to me than any institution that I have ever been associated with. I am a Medfield guy. I’ve lived here for 21 years. I raised my three boys here. They’ve played lacrosse at and graduated from Medfield High School. I’ve been a Medfield guy since 1991.

That said, I want to give you my view of what this community is all about. If you know the people in this town, especially the lacrosse community (MedLax), two words come to mind: loyalty and pride. It is with that sense of loyalty and pride that my supporters took on the challenge of trying to reinstate me as head coach of the boys’ varsity lacrosse team after the school administration decided not to renew my contract this year.

I admit the decision to let me go after 13 seasons left me heartbroken and I was greatly disappointed. But, the groundswell of support I have been shown these past few months has overwhelmed me and I am deeply touched. I want to thank all of my supporters – especially the good people of ORCA – for their efforts.

After nearly four months of this group trying to get the School Committee and superintendent to reopen discussion on this decision, to no avail, I believe, in the best interest of the kids, it is time for this incredibly dedicated group of alumni, parents, present players, future players and me to move forward.

My loyalty is to the kids – the lacrosse players. I have always wanted – and worked toward – what is in their best interest. And, now, I believe it is in their best interest to go forward without distraction and allow them to be the focus of attention as they prepare for the upcoming season. It would be unfair for them to get caught up in any part of this situation.

I've always told my student-athletes that being a part of this team will mean more to them than just four years of school and lacrosse. Study hard. Work hard. It will influence and inspire everything they do in life long after their last class and final game.

Honestly, this is not the way I envisioned passing the torch of what had been my life’s work – creating the youth lacrosse program in 1995 to starting the high school lacrosse program in 1999 and building it to what it is today. But, the administration is immobile on this decision. While I cannot imagine coaching at any high school other than Medfield, I’ve reviewed my options and taken stock and solace in the legacy that I’ve left and look forward to new challenges. I will continue to learn and improve as a coach and will lean on the myriad of relationships I have built at the collegiate level, including Tufts University, where there are currently former Medfield players.           

I’d also like to spend more time with my sons. Over the past seven years, I’ve spent more time with yours than with mine.

I wish the best of luck to the players and coaches, especially John Isaf and Mike Douglas.

Medfield lacrosse – the youth program and especially the Medfield High School boys’ varsity lacrosse team – has always held, and will continue to hold, an incredibly special place in my life.

To MedLax, thank you for 18 wonderful years,” Aronson said.

Maguire also issued a statement to Medfield Patch Wednesday, thanking Aronson for his time and dedication to the program.

“I am personally grateful to Bob Aronson for his years of service to the Medfield High School boys' lacrosse team,” said Maguire. “I also appreciate coach Aronson acknowledging today – for everyone's sake, especially our student athletes – the importance of moving forward and focusing on the future of the team. I join many members of our community in wishing coach Aronson the very best.”

Medfield athletic director Jon Kirby told Medfield Patch in February that longtime assistant coaches Mike Douglas and John Isaf would serve as co-head coaches of the boys’ lacrosse team for the 2012 season.

"John and Mike are both stepping up,” Kirby said. “Mike [Douglas] and John  [Isaf] have been in the program for a long time. Mike has been with the program every year of its existence and teaches at the Dale Street School. John has been an active coach with us as well.”

In making the coaching change, Kirby said it was a “big deal” to promote from within and maintain the consistency of the program.

“Because of the obvious success that the program has had, you want to keep the program going in the same direction,” Kirby said.

As for Aronson, he’s ready to move on to other opportunities and meet new challenges, but his heart will always remain in Medfield.  

ARONSON: Career at a Glance

• In 1994, Bob Aronson started teaching a handful of local kids how to hold a lacrosse stick then throw and catch, on Sunday mornings in Medfield.  

• From there he grew the youth program and then was instrumental in bringing the sport to Medfield High School. Their first varsity season was in 2000 and he had been at the helm until the end of the 2011 season.  

• During their 12 year evolution from startup to D-II perennial state powerhouse, Aronson’s teams had never missed the playoffs, have been in the quarterfinals 11 times, the Final Four 9 times the state title game 6 times and won 5 State Championships.

• Under Aronson, the Warriors have amassed a 222-47 record and a tourney record of 32-7. 

• He’s produced 13 HS All-Americans and sent 63 percent of his players on to play at the NCAA level (according to the NCAA, the national average is 6 percent), many of whom have become captains of their college teams in their Junior and Senior years.

• As head varsity coach, Aronson preached “grades before goals” and alumni from his program have taken that message to heart, attending some of the most selective academic institutions in the country.

• Aronson leaves Medfield on top of the MIAA Division 2 boys' lacrosse world – guiding the Warriors to back-to-back state championships.