After 23 years, Lee to step down as FHS field hockey coach
By By: Fred Hodge
"I have been surrounded by wonderful people throughout my career," Lee said pointing to her family, assistant coaches, players and their families, administration and community members.Lee took the job as a recent graduate of Bridgewater College with no previous field hockey experience. The program was at its lowest ebb, in the midst of a 21-game losing streak. The Falcons were 0-10 her first season, running the losing skid to 31 straight, but Fauquier defeated Culpeper to open her second season en route to a 7-6 overall reecord. From there, Fauquier maintained a slow, steady climb to become a force at district, regional and state levels.
"I think Linda did an outstanding job of building the field hockey program," said Allen Creasy, Fauquier's athletic director. "She built herself a reputation as one of the premier coaches in the state."
Instead of being an also-ran, Fauquier became a factor in district play and reached the regional semifinals in 1991, falling one win shy of a state tournament berth in a penalty-stroke loss to North Stafford.
"That was the turning point," Lee recalls. "We had been working to change the tide."
In 1992, Fauquier placed second in regional play, to earn the school's first Group AAA state berth, downing Midlothian in the quarterfinals before losing to Frank Cox, the eventual champion, in the semifinals.
The 1993 Falcons roared through district and regional play unbeaten, to advance to the state tournament again, losing to T.C. Williams.
The 1994 squad returned almost everyone, so Fauquier should have been a Group AAA power again. Unfortunately, the opening of Liberty High meant a drop to the Group AA field hockey wasteland. That classification had no regional or state play, not even all-district, all-region or all-state teams. "AA was the stepchild of field hockey," Lee recalls.
Lee and Fauquier championed a strong lobbying effort aimed at the Virginia High School League for some sort of postseason place. The VHSL, citing regulations, said at least 50 percent of AA schools must sponsor hockey to be eligible for a state tournament, far beyond the actual total.
The VHSL eventually allowed a postseason state invitational tournament, sponsored and paid by Fauquier for five years. When Fauquier returned to Group AAA play, the nascent playoff eventually grew into a true state tournament.
Lee has been named state and regional coach of the year and was among eight finalists for a national coach of the year award in 2004.
All of the hardware is nice, but Lee's thoughts turned time after time to the people. "To see these kids 13 to 18 years old and the relationships that are established and continue," Lee said.
"There are fond memories in all of these things, but the people stand out the most. "It is something that transcended through the years," she said.
Sarah Talomie to succeed Linda Lee
By Fred Hodge
Sarah Talomie, the Fauquier High junior varsity field hockey coach the past six seasons, will provide stability as she takes over from Linda Lee, who stepped down this spring to spend more time with family.
A former Fauquier player who graduated from James Madison University, Talomie, recalled Lee's sales pitch. "Linda actually came by g.whilliker's and said 'I need a JV coach here,'" Talomie, the store's manager, said. "I thought it would be fun. I'm definitely looking forward to (becoming coach). I'm excited to get my feet wet."
Talomie said she does not plan any substantial changes to the program, but she does hope to establish an in-season weight-lifting program.