TAUNTON — Sadness best describes the reaction to the recent closure of Coyle and Cassidy High School.
Especially those echoed by former players and coaches, who were part of a great athletic program in the Silver City.
"I am saddened by its closing," former Warriors softball pitcher and school's Hall of Famer Courtney Oliver said. "Coyle and Cassidy High School has prepared me academically, spiritually and athletically to begin life’s journey."
The nearly 60-year-old private Catholic school on 2 Hamilton St., which was opened in 1963, was on shaky grounds well before the coronavirus pandemic hit the area. The Fall River Diocese announced Wednesday that Coyle-Cassidy will close down operations as of June 30.
"We were all sad to hear the news [but] we're sad that someone else is not going to have the opportunity to experience what we experienced," former Warriors ice hockey head coach Darrell Borges said. "The closing can't take away from the great memories and our forever friendships that we developed."
Timothy LaConte, the assistant athletic director at C-C, said pending the potential return date of May 4 set forth by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, the Warriors will participate in modified spring schedules for all of their athletic programs.
"[We] hope that all students and student-athletes [will be] participating in a spring season in some capacity," he said.
The high school has undergone many changes over the years.
It began as a co-ed school called St. Mary’s High School in 1911. Then an all-diocesan boys’ school was built on Summer Street in 1933, named Monsignor Coyle High School in memory of Pastor Coyle. The girls outgrew St. Mary’s High School and moved to a brand new high school (Bishop Cassidy) off the corner of Hamilton Street in 1963.
In 1971, the boys entered the school on Hamilton Street and it became officially known as Coyle and Cassidy High School.
The Warriors have enjoyed a storied reputation in the city of Taunton.
For many decades, Warriors athletes have etched their signature as a winning program. No matter what the sport was, C-C’s domination during the last 80 years was one for the record books. Its nearly 150 Hall of Fame athletes prove just that.
Brenna Gonsalves, a 2011 graduate, was one of the those athletes that will be a part of C-C lore forever.
Gonsalves is the Warriors all-time leader — both boys and girls — in points scored (1,615) in her career. She holds the all-time single-season record for points scored (486) and has scored 30 or more points on four occasions. Gonsalves led C-C to a Division III South title as a senior and a trip to TD Garden for the state semifinal game. She also scored a team-high 32 points on a bum ankle in the clinching Division III South final game against Archbishop Williams.
"I absolutely loved Coyle," the Norton native said. "The athletics program gave me the opportunities, mentorship, and support to become a scholarship athlete at a reputable Division II university. More importantly, it created incredible friendships and memories to last a lifetime."
Sam Hourihan, who was one of three 1,000 point scorers (alongside Rachael Johnson and Kaylee Haynes) in her senior year, was a part of history in 2018 when the Warriors captured the program's second state championship. She will never forget the memories.
"I loved every season I had with the Lady Warriors," Hourihan said. "Coach [Mike] O’Brien built up the winning program and helped me become the player and the person that I am today. I cannot thank him and the coaching staff enough for everything they did for me."
O'Brien, former girls basketball head coach of 16 years and winner of 269 victories, was a part of special memories on the hardwood court. His best memory was in 2016 when seniors Nicole Bostick, Sarah Coffey and Grace Orfanello led the Warriors to a stunning upset 43-38 win over unbeaten Hanover in the Division III South sectional semifinals at Massasoit Community College. Of course, there is the state championship run in 2018, the South final game against Cathedral and two TD Garden appearances.
"I think about the kids at Coyle, who are juniors — they're going to have to find another school for a year," said O'Brien, who is now at Diman. "The kids and families, not only the kids that I coached ... they are really special to me. I really feel for them."
Oliver was a part of two state championships on the softball diamond. She owns many school records including career wins (73), career strikeouts (998), winning percentage (.859), career no-hitters (seven), most consecutive wins (21) and single-season strikeouts (296). Oliver is also tied for season the lead in no-hitters (four). As a two-way standout, Oliver hit .382 in her career with six home runs and 60 RBI.
The softball team won an unprecedented 13 consecutive league championships, five Eastern Massachusetts South Sectional crowns and two state titles in 2000 and 2002 under former head coach Russ Hunt.
Then there's hockey. Spearheaded by former head coach Joe Quinn, the Coyle-Cassidy program got on the map quickly with his first league title in 1973.
During the winter, the Warriors put together a run like no other in the state. Over the last two decades or more, C-C has compiled a record of 357-138-31, including two state final appearance at the old Boston Garden and TD Garden; 12 straight Eastern Athletic Conference and city champions for 20 years.
Former hockey player Matt Farley, 32, who was an important part of the 2006 team, said it's a shame that others won't get the opportunity to enjoy all the school and the hockey program had to offer, like they did.
"It's sad to see that Coyle has to close," said Farley, who now lives in Tennessee. "I was talking with Matt Hagerstrom, Nick Stevenson and Greg Niland on Wednesday about our time there at the high school and obviously the hockey program. We are all in our 30s and still to this day that senior year was the best of our lives without question."
From their first league title in football during the late 1930s to the success of the ice hockey, girls basketball and softball programs, the Warriors have generated enough banners to decorate the front of the high school. Let’s also not forget C-C's accomplishments in golf, cross country and track and field teams as well. Even the girls’ and boys’ soccer teams made plenty of noise in the MIAA state tournament.
C-C athletics will never be forgotten. In fact, the memories of a lifetime will always live on in the minds of those who attended the hallowed building.
"Those things are all important in a coach's life," O'Brien said. "No matter who the kid was, every one was special to me."