- Details
- Category: Current Issue
Acad grad
Kozey takes
over baseball
reins
By Ron P. Coderre
In the past three years Woodstock Academy has gone through baseball coaches like a newborn goes through diapers. The Centaurs appear to have resolved that situation by bringing on one of its own, Charlie Kozey, with the hope of restoring the diamond fortunes of the Centaurs.
Three years ago Woodstock settled on former Putnam standout Dave Austin in what they felt was a long-term deal. Austin was replaced last season, after he abruptly tendered his resignation and was replaced by former Killingly High School and University of Hartford grad Mike Scrapchansky. Unfortunately Scrapchansky lasted only one season.
In bringing on Kozey, who served as a Centaur assistant for seven seasons, the Academy has bought themselves a knowledgeable and dedicated individual with a solid baseball background. Kozey, who graduated from Woodstock in 1978 starred on the diamond for the Acads for four seasons, serving as the team’s captain his senior year. He was a Quinebaug Valley Conference All Star for three seasons, as a very good hitting first baseman and pitcher.
Following high school, Kozey had two outstanding seasons at Becker Junior College in Worcester, where he was also captain his second year. His performance at Becker and as an all-star for the TriTown American Legion earned him a two week tryout in Ocala, Fla., with the Independent League Newark Co-Pilots.
Kozey also possesses a solid coaching resume. In addition to his seven seasons as an assistant at his alma mater, he’s worked his way up the coaching ladder. He’s coached t-ball, Little League, AAU fall ball and was an assistant at Tri-Town for three summers.
“I just figured it was my time to move up or move along. I want to develop a system where we have a consistent program from freshman to junior varsity and on to varsity. I’d also like to reach out to the other leagues in town,” said Kozey on his approach.
As part of the system he’d like to establish, he plans on conducting camps and clinics for youngsters, which help to provide the feeder system with a pipeline of players who’ll eventually reach the Academy. His plan appears to be well thought out and long range.
“I’d like to see the community invest in baseball. I plan to be a coach who teaches the game by including such techniques as the use of video equipment and employing a professional staff to work with the players,” said Kozey.
The high school baseball season is relatively brief so Kozey has filled his staff with some of the best baseball minds in the area to work with the players. Former minor league player from Plainfield Bill Carpenter will serve as Kozey’s varsity assistant, while Mike Bourgeois will handle the junior varsity program and Tom O’Connor will serve as the freshman coach. Dan Olm is the team’s video coordinator, Charlie Kiernan the catching coach, and Brady Matteau the conditioning coach. Bill Guillot and Kevin Trahan will work with the players as pitching and hitting instructors respectively.
“This group of coaches is all respected individuals. I hope their influence will filter through to the players as they realize they’re representing their family, their school and their community,” said Kozey.
The Centaurs play in the Eastern Connecticut Conference Large Division, one of the toughest divisions in Connecticut. In a short period of time Kozey has assembled 14 players, 10 seniors and four juniors that he believes can compete for the title.
This year’s edition includes seniors, Ian Converse, Tim Cutler, Matt Fiedler, Cody Maiorina, Josh Malboeuf, Aaron Mol, Adam Naughton, Garrett Ponte, Jacob Rivard and Mike Thienel. The four juniors are Sean Falvey, Ben Guimont, Kolby Reggione and Ben Ross.
“This school has done a lot for me and I want to give back in some way. By building a system I feel we can make baseball in Woodstock a sport that will make the community proud,” said Kozey.
Producing a winning program takes time, hard work and dedication but Charlie Kozey is familiar with those qualities, as he’s paid his dues as a player and coach. His experience should prove to be the right formula to make Woodstock Academy baseball competitive and respectable.