Coach Wood Steps Down
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 The Blake School's head girls' lacrosse coach Debra Wood has announced that her 12-year tenure has drawn to a close. Debra's knowledge and passion for athletics, particularly lacrosse, has driven girls' lacrosse at The Blake School from a club sport to a championship caliber varsity program that is the envy of many.
Wood joined Blake Faculty in 1994 and started the lacrosse program that spring with 10 players. The Blake School was the first Minnesota school to grant girls' lacrosse varsity status and Wood's program joined MSHSL in 2002; the first year girls' lacrosse became a High School League sanctioned sport.
When asked about her coaching experience at Blake Coach Wood acknowledged that, "It has been my absolute pleasure to have been a part of Blake history in the formation and growth of the girls' lacrosse program. The players that I have coached have enriched my life in ways that I do not have words to describe, I have loved every minute spent on the field in the company of my players."
"Debra Wood is Blake Girls' Lacrosse. She planted the seed and, through her strength and ability, developed a program that continues to be one of the best in the state. Her ongoing mentorship and passion for lacrosse is always evident in the many positive comments of coaches and officials throughout the state," observes Athletic Director Rollie Johnson.
After collecting her 100th career win on April 12th with a 14-7 victory over the Robbinsdale Cooper Hawks, Wood has gone on to amass an amazing record of 112-11-4 as a varsity coach at Blake.
Debra has been lauded for her coaching skills. She has received The Blake School's Pete Parks Coaching Award in 2001, was honored as NSLA Coach of the Year 2001 and the MSHSL Coach of the Year in 2006.
It is not easy for Coach Wood to move on, "I will miss the camaraderie of the girls on the team. I will miss the anticipation of heading into a new season; the excitement of a new beginning that comes with each new season and the satisfaction of a great season and seeing the sense of pride on each girls face," admits Debra.
Another impressive note is that while at Blake Debra has coached 11 All Americans and more importantly, 42 academic All American girls' lacrosse players.
Thank you Coach Wood for your dedication, commitment, and leadership. We'll miss you.
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