Andover - Athletics

Martha Gourdeau Fenton '83 Instructor in Athletics Coach—Girls' Varsity Ice Hockey, Girls' Varsity Field Hockey, Girls' Lacrosse	Phone: 978-749-4092 E-mail: mfenton@andover.edu
Her two years as a student at Andover made Martha Fenton passionate about sports. "I picked up two brand new sports—ice hockey and lacrosse and fell in love with both," she says. Continuing her education at Bowdoin, she realized she didn't want her athletic career to end with her final collegiate game. She received a B.A. in political science from Bowdoin and a Masters of Management degree from Lesley College. On the Andover faculty since 1994, Fenton coaches varsity field hockey, ice hockey and lacrosse. "By far the best part of coaching any of my sports is the athletes," she says. "I’ve been very lucky to have forged relationships with the girls on my teams that have lasted well beyond their PA years." She teaches Physical Education 100 and is pleased that most students leave that class feeling they are better prepared for a lifetime of fitness. A house counselor, Fenton loves outdoor sports, including mountain biking, hiking and rollerblading. She has three children.

Kathryn A. Birecki Trainer, Athletics Cluster Dean, West Quad North	Phone: 978-749-4084 E-mail: kbirecki@andover.edu
As cluster dean for West Quad North, Kathy Birecki loves helping students adjust to living away from home and learning to be independent. She has been an athlete for as long as she can remember, having played softball and basketball in her town and middle school. Early in her high school career, Birecki was injured, and there were no athletic trainers. "My two high school coaches suggested I go into athletic training," she says, "so I looked at programs and loved what I saw." She received a B.S. degree from Central Connecticut State University. At Andover since 1984, Birecki has taught physical education and Life Issues and serves as an academic adviser. As an athletic trainer, she spends her afternoons and evenings in the training room. She is married, has three children and often can be seen walking her dog, Piper, in the quad.

Brian D. Cox Head Trainer, Athletics Instructor in Athletics	Phone: 978-749-4084 E-mail: bcox@andover.edu
After majoring in engineering for a year, Brian Cox says, "It suddenly hit home that I wasn't going to be happy in that profession." His interest in biomechanics, anatomy and exercise physiology steered him toward physical therapy and working with athletes. He received a B.S. degree in athletic training from Northeastern University, after spending two seasons as the Boston Bruins' student athletic trainer. As head athletic trainer at PA since 1997, Cox likes working with student athletes through the entire injury process, "from the initial feelings of pain, anger and frustration, to the end when the athlete returns to play and comes back to say thank you." A licensed certified athletic trainer, he teaches physical education and is a house counselor in Taylor Hall. A "fanatical member of Red Sox nation," Cox enjoys golf, woodworking, landscaping and gardening.

Kathryn Dolan Assistant Director of Athletics Instructor in Athletics Coach—Varsity Field Hockey, Girls’ Junior Varsity Hockey, Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse	Phone: 978-749-4090 E-mail: kdolan@andover.edu
Growing up in the sports-oriented town of Walpole, Mass., Kate Dolan first played competitive field hockey. Later, at the University of New Hampshire, she was a member of the NCAA champion women's lacrosse team in 1985 and the NCAA runners-up in field hockey in 1986. By the time she graduated with a B.S. degree in physical education and psychology, she realized how much she loved sports: "the people and relationships, the hard work, the commitment, the competition," she says. "I'm also a coach because the person who most influenced and affected my life was my college field hockey coach." Each of the sports she coaches at Andover is special for Dolan. "Field hockey is the sport I have played the longest. JV ice hockey is fun because it's easy to coach kids who love and enjoy coming to practice every day. Lacrosse can be such a beautiful, fluid sport and the fastest game on two feet." Dolan holds an M.Ed. degree from Cambridge College. At Andover since 1990, she is a Physical Education 100 teacher, a house counselor in Adams Hall and an academic adviser. She enjoys spending time with her two children, working out, reading and cheering for the Red Sox and Patriots.

Karen Kennedy Scheduling Officer, Athletics Instructor in Athletics	Phone: 978-749-4094 E-mail: kkennedy@andover.edu
Karen Kennedy views sports as an arena for teaching life skills. At Phillips Academy since 1985, she challenges students in the physical education course she teaches to raise their awareness of the daily choices they make concerning their well-being. She also coaches the girls' varsity basketball team, is the scheduling officer for athletics and serves as a complementary house counselor in America House. Kennedy received a B.S. degree from Springfield College and an M.A. degree from Boston University. During a recent sabbatical, she researched and wrote about youth sports, then traveled to Australia. Her interests include gardening, woodworking, animals and supporting women in sports.

Mike Kuta Director of Athletics Trainer, Athletics Instructor in Athletics	Phone: 978-749-4085 E-mail: mkuta@andover.edu
For Mike Kuta, an injury during a football game when he was in high school proved life altering. "I was greatly aided by an athletic trainer at a local college, and I found an entirely new path that steered me toward my profession," he says. As an athletic trainer at Andover since 1983, Kuta takes care of athletes from every sport. "Each sport, level, age and athlete offers a variety of challenges, which keep it interesting," he says. A certified strength and conditioning specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, he works with athletes on both performance enhancement and injury prevention. Kuta grew up playing sports, particularly football, wrestling and track. He received an A.S. degree from Berkshire Community College and a B.S. degree from Northeastern University. Describing himself as a "die-hard Boston sports fan," he teaches physical education, organizes the annual PA-Red Cross blood drive and serves as a complementary house counselor, day student and academic adviser, admission interviewer and Scuba Club adviser. The married father of three also enjoys fly fishing and Scuba diving.

Leon A. Modeste III Instructor in Athletics Head Coach—Varsity Football, Varsity Boys’ Basketball, Boys’ Lacrosse	Phone: 978-749-4092 E-mail: lmodeste@andover.edu
Leon Modeste is sure he played his first games while crawling, because he has always liked to compete. "I knew sports was my ticket to better things," he says. "It gave me an opportunity to do things other kids in my projects couldn't do. It also helped me to work hard in school and stay out of trouble." At Andover since 1986, Modeste coaches varsity football with his lifelong friend and Brooklyn (N.Y.) Poly Prep co-captain, Lou Bernieri. His coaching strategy? "The players have to have input into the game plan. Then let 'em play! The most important things we teach as coaches are character, sportsmanship and teamwork." Modeste received a B.S. degree from Springfield College and an M.Ed. degree from Cambridge College. Comparing the three sports he coaches at Andover, he says, "Football is great to coach because strategy and teamwork are vital, and you have to be tough physically and mentally. Basketball is fun because it is concentrated and quick and, when done properly, is a well-orchestrated yet free-flowing affair with a lot of changes in momentum. Lacrosse actually combines the best of both. It is free-flowing like hoops, yet requires the toughness and strategy of football, and you get a stick." He also is a house counselor in Bartlet Hall, an admission interviewer and a Community Service participant. He enjoys pre-dawn runs, working out, reading, watching movies and sports, traveling to warm beaches and fishing.


Last Update: November 1, 2007		v12