Printer Friendly Version - Experienced Terrill is New T-Birds’ Volleyball Coach

With many stops and stints in his 31-year coaching career, new T-Birds' volleyball coach Richard Terrill is ready to lead the Thunderbirds to new heights with his deep passion for mentoring and teaching through sport. Photo by John Vanacore/The Sound

If you are going to keep track of the coaching life of new T-Birds' volleyball Head Coach Richard Terrill, you may want to bring a map and GPS with you along for the journey or else you may get lost. Even with the many miles traveled, which include two separate stints in North Branford, he still has the passion for coaching inside of him.

This fall, Richard is the new head coach of T-Birds' volleyball, the latest stop in his 31-year coaching career. The former Trumbull track star and current Technology and Careers Department Chairperson at North Branford came into the coaching fold as an assistant volleyball coach and later a 13-year cross country and track coach for the T-Birds.

"Hearing from many of the players that they could not find a coach, I approached [athletic director] Kory [Kevorkian] and told him that I did not want to leave the team emptyhanded and, if after interviewing for the position, they still could not find someone, I would step in and take the position."

Kevorkian adds on Richard: "Richard has a long history with the school and is a great fit for coach; the girls are comfortable with him and have great respect for him. He has been great with me so far. He is proactive, always dotting his I's and crossing his T's."

Stepping into the main spotlight on the court, Richard needed some assistants of his own. With his multiple contacts built up over his three decades of coaching, he enlisted the help of former players Caitlin Doyle and Ashley Silva to help him in his new task at hand. With his serious passion for mentoring, he cherishes not only getting to know his athletes, but developing bonds with his helpers, as well.

"One of the most rewarding things about coaching is having the opportunity to work with so many fine athletes," Richard says. "You get to see them outside of the classroom setting and you have the chance to get to know them as a person. As their coach, you have the opportunity to help them build self-confidence and instill in them other character traits that are so important to have in life. Things like a strong work ethic, perseverance, integrity, to name just a few. Both assistants were terrific players and two of the players I respected most. The opportunity of coaching with former players is a first for me and I will truly cherish this experience and both are doing a phenomenal job."

Keeping in stride with his positive and committed passion for coaching, Richard has learned over the years that it's about organizing the correct priorities in life. More importantly in life, he has discovered over the years that it's not about wins and banners-it is about developing kids and character.

"It has taught me never to give up and never to quit, no matter what the odds are. This has helped me in both my personal and family life," says Richard, who thanks his family and former teachers, along with his wife Diane and former T-Birds' Athletic Director Chris Webster. "At the end of the day, it is not about the scoreboard. It is about finding the confidence to overcome setbacks, about persevering in the face of hardships, and about turning challenges into positive opportunities. Lastly, [sports] teaches you to have pride in yourself and pride in your teammates."