By Ron P. Coderre

A Marianapolis Prep School sports institution for more than three decades will soon be stepping aside from an athletic leadership role with the Golden Knights to assume a larger role with the school’s Alumni and Development initiatives.

In an announcement by head of school Joseph Hanrahan last week, Eric Gustavson, who’s served as the school’s athletic director for 30 years, will relinquish that role to current assistant athletic director Lauren Moore.  Although the beloved Gustavson, affectionately known as “G” by his friends and students on the Marianapolis campus, will no longer be the AD, he will maintain a marked presence on the sprawling Thompson Hill campus.

“It is time for Eric to serve Marianapolis in a new capacity as the school looks to its future initiatives, especially our athletic program and facilities.  The school will be forever grateful to Eric for his role in enhancing the athletic program at Marianapolis.  He is certainly a legend and an iconic teacher and coach in our community,” said Head of School Hanrahan.

Gustavson arrived at Marianapolis in 1982 fresh out of Ohio Wesleyan University.  Shortly after  his arrival on campus he assumed the role of boys’ varsity soccer coach.  After 34 seasons at the helm he stepped down in 2013 with a school record 347 wins, 200 losses and 75 ties.  In 2013 he was recognized by his soccer coaching colleagues, being named Connecticut State Coaches Association “Coach of the Year.”  

He was appointed as the Golden Knights athletic director in 1986 at a time when the school had approximately 200 students and about a dozen athletic programs.  Today the school boasts 400 students and approximately 50 athletic offerings to its student-athletes.  He’s held the hand of the athletic teams as they’ve transitioned over the years from the Quinebaug Valley Conference to the Eastern Connecticut Conference in the high school ranks.  He’s guided the programs back to prep school competition in the Southeastern New England Prep School Athletic Council and eventually to the New England Prep School Athletic Council.

“It’s been a wonderful experience, and to witness the growth of the school and the athletic program.  I’ve been proud to be a part of it.  When I started in the ‘80s, athletics was secondary.  Now, it has been made a real part of the Marianapolis experience between residential life, service and academics.  What I’ve enjoyed most is that our athletes always give it their all with tremendous sportsmanship; that it isn’t all about winning,” said Gustavson.

Marianapolis recently concluded the construction of a $2 million track and multi-sport turf field, which will be dedicated on May 21 during the school’s 90th Alumni Weekend.  The administration and Board of Trustees are currently in the planning phase for the construction of a fieldhouse to meet the increasing demands of its athletic teams.

Gustavson will remain on the Marianapolis faculty teaching history.  He’ll also become an integral part of the Alumni and Development office, working with alumni and parents around the country and the world.  

“I’m happy and proud to be able to assist the school in raising funds so that we can continue to grow athletics to be everything we have strived for,” he noted about the new role he’ll assume in September.

Gustavson lives in Putnam with his wife Ann Marie, the proprietor of Roland’s Cleaners in Putnam.  The couple has two sons, Abraham a 2007 graduate of Marianapolis and Benjamin who graduated in 2011.

 

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