Boone steps down as Sewickley Academy boys soccer coach

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, June 8, 2018 | 10:51 PM

James Boone has coached his last soccer match — for now.

After spending more than two decades as a coach, including the last six as the head boys coach at Sewickley Academy, Boone decided to resign in order to devote more time to family.

“My parents are getting a little older, and I need to help them out a little bit more and free myself up to take them to doctor appointments and things like that. If they were a little younger and in good health, I'd still be coaching,” Boone said. “I just need to make sure they are OK. They live in Greensburg, which is not close to me. If they need me, I want to make sure I am free. I don't want to have to miss games or practices. If I am committed to something, I am committed 100 percent.

“I am going to miss it, I am sure. Sometimes, other things just have to come first.”

Before coming to Sewickley Academy, Boone spent 11 years as an assistant and head coach at East Allegheny. As head coach, his Wildcats won two WPIAL titles and he was named WPIAL coach of the year in 1997.

Boone came to Sewickley Academy as an assistant for two years, then succeeded Uwe Stender as head coach in 2012. The Panthers reached the PIAA Class A championship in Boone's first five years as coach and went 2-3. They claimed a pair of WPIAL titles, as well.

Sewickley Academy posted a 113-25-4 overall record under Boone. The team went 67-2-1 in section play. The Panthers won at least 19 matches and finished unbeaten in section play in each of his first five years. Last year's young squad ended the year 9-9-1 overall and 9-2-1 in section but is poised to be a contender this fall.

“The nice thing is, when I took over as head coach at Sewickley Academy, I knew what was coming up and had a pretty good idea of what was expected of the kids,” Boone said. “They were good athletes and better students and even better people. All six years here, I had a great bunch of kids. I see no reason why Sewickley can't go back to the championship next year. Pretty much everyone is returning, and the cupboard is not bare. Keep your eye on Alex Gordon, who is going to be a senior. He's played a lot since he was a freshman. He is a heck of a player.

“I told my team a couple weeks ago about my decision, and they understood. I am still supporting the guys. I am willing to help them out in any way,” he continued. “We had some nice runs. I am very proud to say I was part of it. The kids were the ones who did it, though. We were there to guide them and put them in the right places at the right times, but the kids deserve all the credit. They are the ones working hard and putting in the time and running and sweating.”

Boone will continue teaching seventh-grade math at Sewickley Academy like he has for the past 10 years.

“Next year will be 24 years overall teaching for me. It's nice that the kids see me not just as a teacher or a coach, but as a person. I probably taught 95 percent of them, and it was enjoyable,” he said. “Of course, you have your ups and downs, but, overall, I have to say it was a great experience. I am lucky enough to have parents, communities and school districts who trusted that I'd do the right things. There are so many positive memories and not too many negatives. I am very happy.

“I definitely enjoyed my time with the players and assistant coaches and everyone I worked with. Those are some great memories.”

Will Boone consider coaching again in the future?

“(Sewickley Academy athletics director) Win Palmer said the door is always open, and that's a nice thing,” he said. “At this point in time, I can't say yes or no. I have to take at least a year off. To coach for 20 years is a lot of time — a lot of long nights and weekends. Who knows what the future holds, though?”

Joe Sager is a freelance writer.

Tags: Sewickley Academy