Coach's Corner: Tim Taylor

By Sangeetha Ramaswamy

COURTESY SPORTS PUBLICITY OFFICE

Tim Taylor, head coach of men's ice hockey, likes to play golf in his spare time. "I like it because it's such a challenge physically and, if approached properly, very calming," he explained. Taylor views the upcoming hockey season in the same way--as a challenge to repeat last year's strong record and an opportunity for soothing success.

Though Taylor has served as a head coach for United States Olympic teams, his loyalty lies with his Bulldogs. Taylor stressed that this year's team has the potential to be as good as last year's. "I don't think we are as good on paper, but I do
think that we have a strong group of kids coming back."

From his days as an undergradudate hockey player and captain at Harvard, Taylor knew that he wanted to coach. Taylor played hockey semi-professionally and worked as an assistant coach at Harvard until he took the job at Yale. Twenty-one years later, his players believe that what sets Taylor apart is his ability to teach.

"He differs most from other coaches in the league in that he's a teacher. He understands the game like no other coach in the league and he's constantly trying to improve his team and his players," captain Keith McCullough, BR '99, said. Goalie Alex Westlund, SM '99, pointed out the importance of Taylor's gift. "At the college level, it's a lot more about teaching," he said.

Taylor described the preparations of his staff as a year-round effort. "What I've learned over the years is that most athletes have seldom tapped their full potential. We lead them down the path, training them during the offseason, so that they're mentally more prepared, more confident."

McCullough considers Taylor to be the key component in the making of another successful season. "We won't win a game this year unless we deserve to win it," McCullough maintained. "I guess the only way to gauge that is through our work ethic. Coach Taylor is ultimately the foundation in establishing that work ethic every day."

McCullough noted that Taylor commands much respect from the team. "The respect that he gets is very important in maintaining our focus in the sense of team continuity," McCullough said.

"Coach Taylor has been so many places and done so many things in the hockey world that the fact that he's so honest and upfront with us as players generates a huge amount of respect from us," forward Lee Jelenic, TD '01, added.

Taylor said that last year's success supports his belief that sports events are an integral part of any college campus. "I've always maintained that universities need things to cheer them up, to take pride in," he explained. With Taylor as their coach and mentor, players on this year's team might once again give Yale students something to feel good about.

--Sangeetha Ramaswamy

Back to Sports...