Sports
The Heart of Diane Chapman’s Winning Ways
Chapman proves there's more than one way to measure success.
Diane Chapman, head coach of Garden City high school’s girls’ varsity lacrosse and field hockey teams, may be known for her winning ways but she’d prefer to be noted for the values she imparts to her athletes.
In the fast paced, competitive landscape of high school athletics, Chapman’s record for both sports is incomparable. As the girl’s varsity field hockey coach, she’s racked up 18 consecutive county championships and New York State championships; set national records; and has won innumerable coaching awards. The girl’s lacrosse team has fared just as well, achieving New York State championships, including consecutive wins for the past seven years.
Remarkably, her reputation for sportsmanship doesn’t lag far behind.
For her contributions to the community, the Garden City Chamber of Commerce will present their “Community Achievement Award” to Chapman at the annual Pineapple Ball gala held on April 19.
As a young girl growing up in Royersford, PA, Chapman developed a love for athletics. She recalls Saturday mornings spent on a large field by her home whiling away the day playing football and softball. There’s a little bit of nostalgia in her voice when she speaks about simply “playing” sports versus the organized machine youth sports have become. Though she hasn’t strayed far from her roots, she’s spent the past 22 years helping students maximize their athletic potential with an emphasis on personal integrity.
For the girls on her team, participating in school athletics is second nature. Chapman, however, remembers the impact of Title IX and how it opened up the world of sports for girls. Chapman played field hockey, basketball and lacrosse in high school. At West Chester University in Pennsylvania, she played both field hockey and lacrosse.
After college, she taught in Greenwich, CT and headed to Long Island to earn a master’s in physical education from Adelphi University. In addition to coaching, Chapman is a physical education teacher in the Levittown school district.
“I love working with children and athletics,” said Chapman of her trajectory. “I’m blessed that I love what I do.”
It’s a job she takes seriously. She realizes she is a role model for her roster of girls. It’s her hope that “these young ladies of today” as she refers to them carry the principles they have garnered playing competitive sports.
When asked about the part of the job she likes the most, it’s not the panoply of achievements such as a field hockey coaching record of 357 wins and 203 wins for lacrosse that she mentions but the opportunity to be a role model.
“Being a coach is an extension of teaching,” said Chapman. “Athletics is like life, you have the ups and downs, the good and the bad. I strive to set a good example and to ensure my team treats their opponents with respect. Not every season ends with a state championship, there are other measures of success such as improved effort and teamwork.”
The girls, as most of the community, call her “Chappy.” Those who’ve played for her confirm her lack of hubris and self-effacing manner.
“Chappy not only made me a better player but she made me a better person,” shared Eleni Andromidas, a 2010 Garden City High School graduate. “She’s a great role model and a great coach.”
Former lacrosse and field hockey player, Erin Brennan, shared: “Chappy is completely devoted to her team and invests so much time into all of her players. She holds her team to a standard of excellence and diligently prepares them for the next opponent.”
For Pineapple Ball information, including sponsorship opportunities and journal ads, or to purchase raffle tickets visit www.gardencitychamber.org or call Tracey Gittere 222-0550.
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