Posted by By Clio Miller, Staff Writer
While Coach Ann Gregory appears to be someone who dedicates her life to coaching and caring for athletes, she still maintains consideration for the people she coaches, while being an active member of the volunteering community.
During sports seasons, you can usually find Ann around in athletic clothing, demonstrating the proper technique of triple jump on the track; or out somewhere on the trails of Mohonk with a timer in hand for tempo runs. When going off-campus, she is known for her classic bright red jacket and neon shoes.
Ann has worked as a coach in New Paltz since 1999, and has coached track and field athletes for 30 years. She has also coached modified basketball, JV volleyball, indoor track, cross country, nordic skiing, and outdoor track. Her favorite sports to coach, however, are the technical competitions – like nordic skiing or field events in track.
When she was in school, she participated in cross country, field hockey, track, basketball, and volleyball. Her favorite at that time was field hockey – but her dedication and success came with basketball – she attended college on a basketball scholarship.
Ann does most of her volunteering for her local church– running pasta dinners and various organizations. She has also done some work with Fellowship of the Christian Athletes (FCA), an organization which combines Christian theology and athletic prowess.
About her work with the FCA, Ann says, “I do have a solid religious belief system. I do believe humans are composed of both a physical body and a spiritual soul, and the soul is what makes me unique and different. They will be united again.”
She has also volunteered for the SPCA (which she no longer does). Telling a story of one of her rescues, Ann explains, “I was able to get the kittens… with a Have a Heart trap. One of the kittens was small and within a couple days I could see the jaw wouldn’t open – the kitten was just sucking food through a small opening… To try and pry the jaw open I had to place a gradually larger tube in its mouth several times a day… Eventually the mouth opened – but would not close. The best part of the story was that the kitten must have known someone was trying to help because after all of that pain it was so loving. I ended up keeping that one.”
Ann has many other passions. She is a true outdoor person, loves animals, is a great aunt three times over, and if she hadn’t become a physical therapist her dream would be singing! Overall, she really appreciates and enjoys life,
“I’ve met a lot of people, I’ve been to a lot of places, so I’ve met a lot of interesting people,” Ann says.
The decision to retire was tough for Ann. She loves the senior group, foresees lots of talent in the upcoming ranks, and wishes everyone a successful season. Her message to them:
“Don’t lose the joy that brought you to the sport to begin with. If the stress of success becomes bigger than the contest – find that kid again – do it because you love it.”
While reflecting on her last year of coaching track, Ann looked back on her past Track and Field notebooks and realized that she “never tired of the process,” and “would come out of a course, be inspired, and think, ‘there are so many instructors out there with so much knowledge.’” Some of those who were particularly helpful to her as a coach are Pat Barberio, Kathy Rogers-Carrol and Keith Walker.
Ann’s coaching career in New Paltz has been full of many successful athletes, including:
- Laura VanAlst:
- – 2004 State Champion in Nordic Skiing
- – Section (Class B XC Champion 2001, 2002)
- – MHAL Track Championship awards
- Natalie Busby;
- – MHAL XC Champion 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
- – Section 9 Class B Champion 2004, 2005, 2006
- – 2004: 10th in Class B of the State meet, 76th in the State and Federation Meet
- – 2005: 11th in State meet and 33rd in the Federation Meet
- – 2006: 9th in the State meet
- Several MHAL track Championship awards.
- Nordic State Meet: 2nd Place Individual race and part of the relay team that came in 3rd two years in a row.
Cora Butler:
- 2012 State Champion-Division 2 in Long Jump
- 2013 State Champion-Division 2 in Long Jump and Triple Jump
- MHAL Track Champion in several events
Samantha Kaplan:
- 2015 State Champion-Division 2 Pole Vault
Ann was quick to note that there have been many athletes who have made their mark – these are just a few that showed particularly well at the State and Federation level.
Despite her retirement, Ann plans to stay dedicated to athletics. She will continue to get her own exercising and traveling in, and even wants to bike across the country next year! She also wants to continue her volunteering – hopefully with the SPCA and Special Olympics.
“When I do retire I’ll miss everybody here, but I’m ready for the next adventure to begin, like Winnie-the-Pooh.”
The Maroon 