The Allyson Rose Green Memorial Foundation
Time to Reid between the lines
By: JOE WHALEN Sports Editor
Daily Local
12/20/2006
You can read about a captain of industry, or a captain of a ship, or read the Rudyard Kipling novel "Captains Courageous," or a book on the great Yosemite monolith El Capitan. You can read about Captain America or capital improvements or the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu over a cappuccino.
When the topic turns to sports in Chester County, however, I suggest we read about the actions of tri-captain Korin Reid.
It's a great read. And it's the greatness of Reid's spirit of teamwork and captainship that captivates.
Reid poetry in motion
In September, tragically, a young student-athlete's family and friends, the West Chester Henderson High School community and the Warriors' field hockey team lost a loved one when Allyson Rose Green, a sophomore goalkeeper, passed away.
On Dec. 10, a 5K in West Chester, organized by Reid and designed to benefit the Allyson Rose Green Foundation, drew scores of runners and raised more than $8,000.
"I think what Korin did," said Henderson coach Nikkii McNichol, "was amazing."
It is, without a doubt, the most gracious gesture, the most graceful display of kinship performed by a captain on behalf of a teammate I've ever witnessed. I could tell Reid, a senior center midfielder, was a special student-athlete the moment I heard her name.
I just had no idea how special.
Reid to learn
In August, as I began work on a feature story about center mids, McNichol informed me about Reid. A few days later, I attended a practice, snapped a few photos of the field general dribbling and asked about her new role one that often generates a team's success while credit goes to those who score goals and earn assists.
Reid understands and exercises the humble responsibility, the dutiful vision of a true leader.
"It's definitely an honor to be a center mid," she said.
A few weeks later, during a match on the turf at Kottmeyer Stadium against eventual Ches-Mont League champion Downingtown West, Reid dignified such a statement through her actions.
The Warriors, league contenders, trailed early but countered admirably, flooding upfield in waves, rebounding from a 2-0 deficit and threatening with every ounce of their team spirit to tie the game and throw the Ches-Mont standings into disarray until suffering a 3-2 loss.
I was particularly impressed by the defensive play of tri-captains Kelly Van Hoorebeke and Russell Lauletta; the way senior back Elissa Magnavita bolstered the attack from the 25; the goalkeeping of Ellie Brown; and rushes up the left wing by Sarah McGillivray, a super sophomore who could prove to be the best forward in the area next fall.
Ultimately, though, Reid drove the rally, directing nearly every Henderson attack. And yet she saved her greatest play for the 5K she organized on behalf of her teammate's memory.
"It was an awesome day," McNichol said, "and it was just so nice to see the whole community come out for such a wonderful event."
Reid to achieve
A captain of the community, Reid deserves tremendous credit. And I suggest specifically to captains of industry that her organizational ability, her devotion to a cause, her time and people management skills, and her nobility merit serious consideration for future reference.
She passes the ball with great accuracy, but she'll never pass the buck. So don't pass up the opportunity for Korin Reid to lead your team one day, or your class, or your department, or your company or our borough, county or state, our country.
Win or lose, we'll always be successful.
A headline might proclaim: 'Former field hockey tri-captain picks her cabinet.' The subhed could say: 'Lauletta named Chief of Staff, Van Hoorbeke new Sec. of Defense.'
Now what a joy that would be to read about.
©Daily Local News 2006