[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 24 (Thursday, February 8, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S1778]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CONGRATULATING BILL O'NEIL

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today it is my honor to salute a longtime 
Vermont athletic coach, Bill O'Neil, of Essex High School. Bill has 
been named the 2006 Hockey Coach of the Year by the National Federation 
of State High School Associations. While he has amassed an impressive 
record in his 35 years of coaching hockey, softball and girls soccer, 
winning over 900 games and 16 State championships, Bill has always 
instilled in his players the simple attitude that the game is more than 
just the win. Learning to play the game, positive sportsmanship, 
community involvement and academics are even more important to Coach 
O'Neil. To his players, Bill is a coach, mentor, teacher and lifelong 
friend.
  I am delighted that a Vermonter has been recognized with such a 
prestigious honor. The Burlington Free Press recent published an 
article about Coach O'Neil's recognition. I ask unanimous consent that 
the article, ``O'Neil Tops in the Nation,'' by Ted Ryan, be printed in 
the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                   [From the Burlington Free Press, 
                             Feb. 8, 2007]

                       O'Neil Tops in the Nation

                             (By Ted Ryan)

       In 35 years of coaching at Essex High School, Bill O'Neil 
     has won over 900 games and 16 state championships in three 
     sports.
       He's been a Vermont coach of the year twice in girls' 
     soccer, twice in boys' hockey and three times in softball.
       In 2006, his Hornets won the girls' soccer and boys hockey 
     state titles and finished second in softball.
       Now, O'Neil is the national high school boys' hockey coach 
     of the year for 2006. ``It blew me away,'' O'Neil said after 
     Essex athletic director Ed Hockenbury informed him of the 
     honor.
       ``I'm very surprised, very flattered,'' O'Neil said. ``It's 
     a very humbling experience. How can you describe how you 
     feel?''
       He said he was staggered at thinking of the many coaches 
     for such hockey beds as Minnesota, Michigan, Massachusetts, 
     Colorado, ``even California'' who were deserving of such an 
     honor, awarded by the National Federation of State High 
     School Associations.
       O'Neil had been named the Section 1 boys hockey coach for 
     2006, making him eligible for the national award. Two other 
     Vermont coaches, Northfield High School baseball coach Frank 
     Pecora and Woodstock Union High School football coach Jim 
     McLaughlin, were also Section 1 winners.
       ``Bill is extraordinarily dedicated and hard-working,'' 
     said Essex athletic director Ed Hockenbury. ``He loves 
     spending his time with kids. Win or lose, he is a role model 
     who exemplifies class and dignity in the coaching profession. 
     He is very deserving of this award.''
       O'Neil will be honored by the Vermont Principals 
     Association at its annual VPA Hall of Fame dinner in May.
       O'Neil's boys' hockey teams have reached the finals 15 
     times, winning the title 11 times. His 2005-06 team went 19-4 
     and defeated BFA-St. Albans in the championship game.
       Whatever the sport, O'Neil said, he has been fortunate to 
     work for athletic directors--Paul Henry, Bruce Wheeler, Melba 
     Masse and Hockenbury--who ``emphasize the importance of 
     involvement with kids, that it's more than winning.''
       ``They've never been just about winning. When I'd go in and 
     say we're down, they'd say, `You're doing a good job with the 
     kids. They've learned the game, they're coming along and 
     they're doing stuff in the community.' ''
       ``All of these mentors of mine have made these programs, 
     not just my programs but all in Essex athletics. All the 
     coaches here are esteemed,'' O'Neil said. ``You don't see 
     anybody that only wants to win and that's what matters.''
       O'Neil acknowledged that he is not often on the same page 
     as the youth hockey coaches, but said, ``They do a huge job 
     of teaching kids the game, getting them involved and making 
     them have some pride in the game and, I'd like to think, 
     respect for the game and all that goes with it.''
       However, he said, he is concerned that the heavy game 
     schedules for youth teams tend to take something away from 
     appreciation for the sport.
       At 35 years of coaching and counting, O'Neil said he can no 
     longer demonstrate everything on the ice or field, but he's 
     still invigorated by young assistants.
       ``I think more and more about that time being over,'' said 
     O'Neil of his coaching tenure. ``That bothers me. Sometimes 
     I'm so old-school about stuff . . . but I like what I'm doing 
     and I enjoy the kids.''
       With his children growing and leaving home, O'Neil said, 
     ``The coaching thing is my reward at the end of the day.''
       ``As much as I like teaching, I love coaching,'' said the 
     English teacher.
       And as long as he feels that way, Bill O'Neil will continue 
     adding to one of the most impressive coaching careers in 
     Vermont high school history.

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