Cathie Noversa isn't hard to find. The head of the physical education department at Diman Regional, Noversa is also the varsity girls' volleyball coach at Diman and the head coach of the Bengals' varsity softball team.

Mike Thomas Herald News Sports Editor

Cathie Noversa isn't hard to find.

The head of the physical education department at Diman Regional, Noversa is also the varsity girls' volleyball coach at Diman and the head coach of the Bengals' varsity softball team.

Noversa is also a very talented singer, who often will be found singing the national anthem before Diman's football and basketball games.

Noversa, 50, is a 1985 graduate of Durfee High School and was inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame in 2005. She still plays competitive volleyball and softball.

The Herald News caught up with Noversa and asked her a few questions to get to know her a little better.

 

HN: What person, living or dead, do you most admire and why?

CN: My dad - Donald Karl Sr.. He was a provider for his family. He was a hard worker and always made sure his kids had some knowledge of life skills. He was a cook in the Navy when he met my mom - Claire Karl. They got married and had five children. He would teach us how to change a tire, cook, use a hammer, paint, camp, and help others. I once helped him switch out a motor in a car. He was always busy doing or making or fixing something. He was also very supportive of my athletic career. I lost my dad in 2007 and miss him terribly. After his passing is when I learned of how religious he was.

 

HN: Who is your favorite professional athlete and why?

CN: I really don't have a favorite professional athlete. I prefer local athletes who don't get paid to play. And they are all my favorites. It amazes me how these local athletes still stay involved in their sports while working full time and supporting family, all while fighting their own personal battles.

 

HN: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

CN: Hopefully still playing sports competitively. I'm 50 and my doctor tells me I could live to be 100. So 50 more years of softball would be great. I would like to be a member of the Senior Olympics one day.

 

HN: What has been your biggest moment as a high school coach?

CN: I really enjoy watching kids develop their skills and achieve an "a-ha" moment when they finally get it. I've seen kids get buzzer beater shots to end a half of basketball or a game winning shot, a winning hit, or getting a serve over the net for the very first time in a volleyball set. There are many biggest moments when you have been coaching for as many years as I have. As far as success in achievements as a coach, one would have to be, while coaching at Diman, making it to the Div. 3 South Sectional softball final for the first time. Although we lost that game, my kids felt like they won. It was a game that went 11 innings against West Bridgewater and it came down to a play at the plate. Another would be winning the Large Vocational Volleyball Tournament.

 

HN: How do you spend your time outside of school?

CN: I am a mother of two teenagers, both will be at Diman next year. Gabriella will be a senior next year and Brian will be entering Diman in the fall. I try to travel with them mostly over the summer. I myself play volleyball, softball and ukulele.

 

HN: What is your favorite professional team (any sport) and why?

CN: I am a local fan. Always have been through thick and thin and we all know that there was a lot of thin way back when. Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots and Celtics. Although I'm not a huge basketball fan, I'll watch on occasion.

 

HN: If you won a million dollars, what would be your first purchase?

CN: Probably a home for my family.

 

HN: If you could go back in time and change anything, what would it be?

CN: Absolutely nothing. I believe all things that happened in our lives brought us to where we are today.

 

HN: What is the biggest lesson you've learned from high school athletics?

CN: It's very difficult to teach kids how to stay mentally focused.

 

HN: Favorite TV show?

CN: Sports

 

HN: Are there any changes you would like to make pertaining to high school sports?

CN: Yes, move softball and baseball to the fall. The kids have been playing all summer. They could come in ready to start a season when it's warmer weather instead of frigid weather after a New England winter.

 

HN: What's the most important thing about being a coach?

CN: These kids look to you as a mentor, role model, leader, and sometimes a hero. Coaches spend more time with some kids then their parents. It's important to teach them about life skills at the same time as teaching them about their sport.

 

HN: Tell us something most people don't know about you.

CN: I play ukulele.

 

HN: If they made a movie about you, what would the name be and who would play you?

CN: "Coach - That's what they call her" - Reba McEntire (with a Fall River accent).

 

HN:  What's the biggest challenge as a coach/administrator?

CN: Getting kids to stay mentally focused.

 

Throughout the year, The Herald News will be spotlighting local athletes, coaches and athletic directors. If you are a local athlete and would like to participate or know one who you feel should be in the spotlight, send us an email at sports@heraldnews.com.