|
CHALK
TALK
with
SJC Swimming
Coach
Rebecca Biggs
|
"Chalk
Talk" is a new feature to the SJC Athletics site that will focus on
our outstanding coaches on staff at St. Joe's.
The Royal Blue faithful will learn more about our coaches as they
are asked various questions about their experiences as a coach as
well as their life away from athletics.
Rebecca Biggs is the head coach of the St. Joe's varsity swim team.
Coach Biggs became the head coach in 2006 when the program held club
team status. Before accepting the position here at St. Joe's, Biggs
had been the head varsity swim coach at Portland High School since
2002, where she coached 25 swimmers on the boys and girls swim team.
A 1998 graduate of Colby College, Biggs was co-captain of the varsity
swim team, a four-year New England Championship Qualifier and went
on to earn her Master's in Education from Lesley College in 2000 and
is currently a third grade teacher in Windham.
A native of Cohasset, Massachusetts, Becky resides in Gorham with
her husband, Andy, and their daughter, Lucy.
Background
information about your playing days:
I began swimming on the Cohasset town team before I turned 5 years
old and continued until I was 17. I swam club for one year in junior
high but it wasn't until my junior year in high school that I stepped
up my commitment to swimming. I joined our high school swim team that
was only boys at the time that I joined and joined a club team, Bernal's
Gators. Sheila Cain was the coach at Colby when I was applying and
she and the softball coach, Laura Haldorson, encouraged me to continue
athletics in college. If it wasn't for their enthusiasm and support,
I might not have believed that I had the potential to participate
in college athletics. My love of swimming and a lot of hard work paid
off. I was a four time New England qualifier co-captain my senior
year. I swam a lot of butterfly, I.M. and the relays.
When
did you realize that you wanted to be a coach?
I began teaching swim lessons in high school and loved having the
opportunity to teach others how to swim and help further their love
of swimming. From there, I went on to coaching my local town team
of approximately 100 swimmers ages 6-17. After graduating from Colby
and completing my Masters in Education at Lesley University, I returned
to Maine and accepted the job as head coach of Portland High School.
I coached at Portland High for four years before leaving PHS for the
St. Joe's job last year.
Who was your biggest influence as a coach?
My parents’ support of all of my interests and dreams as well
as my own swim story inspired me to be a coach. I am not the "typical"
swimmer. Most swimmers swim for a club from a very young age, swim
year round, and may not participate in other sports. I played soccer,
field hockey, basketball and softball in addition to swimming. Continuing
to pursue a diverse group of interests helped me not to burn out before
the end of college. I continued to drop times throughout my college
career and have learned a lot about technique and competition even
after graduation. I hope to share that enthusiasm and love for a sport
with others. I guess it is the teacher in me. Hard work and commitment
are what helped me achieve all that I achieved as a student athlete.
Some of that is drive that is within you and some of that is learned.
I hope to lead by example and share what I have learned. In addition
to all of that, I am now married to a soccer coach. I admire Andy's
passion for coaching and continue to learn a lot about coaching from
him, his dad and other coaches with whom we spend time.
What
is your most memorable moment as a player? As a coach?
My most memorable moment as a swimmer was probably when I received
the Mark Delaney award as a swimmer growing up. It was an award that
was given in memory of a person who was a well rounded person, talented
swimmer, good friend, and a leader in and out of the pool.
My most memorable memory as a coach is tough to say. Each day, I hope
to help someone in the pool to become a better swimmer and/or person.
It is a memorable moment when I am able to be helpful and inspiring
in this way or when the swimmer helps me to become a better coach
or person.
What
is your funniest or most embarrassing moment as a coach?
I am sure I haven't yet experienced my most embarrassing moment yet
but I am sure the team will point it out when I do.
Favorites:
Movie:
Remember the Titans
Song/Artist:
Wonderful World/Louie Armstrong
Food:
Sushi
Pro
sports team: Red Sox
Pro
athlete: Why?
Bo Jackson.
Bo Jackson was a multi-sport professional athlete. He and Nolan Ryan
were my brothers’ favorites and I used to help each brother
organize their sport cards. I always thought it would be fun to meet
them. I had a favorite bathing cap growing up that said, "Bo
knows football. Bo knows baseball. Bo knows diddley. But Bo can't
swim."
Most
famous person you’ve met:
Jack Nicholson
If
you could meet one person, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Lynne Cox, author of Swimming to Antarctica. Her account was incredibly
inspiring to me both as a swimmer and as a person. Her determination
and drive are things to aspire to and work toward.
Tell
us something about yourself that most people don’t know:
I lived in Madrid, Spain for a semester and still enjoy speaking Spanish.
I also lived in Akureyri, Iceland one summer on a working farm.
Hobbies
away from your sport:
Traveling, photography, going to the beach, watching movies, playing
the flute, spending time with my husband, our daughter, our dog, and
our extended families.
What
you look for in a player when recruiting:
Commitment, enthusiasm and drive.
What
do you do in the off-season?
Normally I am an elementary school teacher and manage the administrative
duties for the soccer camps that my husband, Andy, and his partners
run. This year, I am home with our baby, Lucy who just turned six
months.
What
does it mean for you and your team to be in the GNAC?
We have had a wonderful first year as a varsity sport in the GNAC.
Finishing the season 5 and 2 with many qualifying times is very exciting.
The upcoming years are promising.
What do you expect from your
team in the upcoming season?
I expect our teams (men and women) to grow in size and to place higher
in GNACs and New Englands each year.
Is there anything else you feel
the website readers should know about you/your program?
I think swimmers of all types of skill and ability would thrive at
St. Joe's. We welcome anyone to participate on our team as long as
the commitment and dedication to the program is present.
Check out the previous "Chalk Talk" Features:
BACK TO ATHLETICS
MAIN PAGE
