Loeffler Scholarship: Where Are They Now?
Since 1977, the Loeffler Scholarship has been one of Staples’ most prestigious awards. Given annually to a soccer player — or an athlete in another sport coached by Mr. Loeffler — the dozens of honorees have gone on to top schools, and successful careers.
The $3,000 grants are funded entirely by contributions. Recently, the committee upgraded its giving options. Donors can now contribute online, via PayPal (click here for a direct link — and a list of all winners). Employers can add matching grants too. Of course, donations can still be mailed to Dave Wilson, 28 Craw Avenue, Rowayton, CT 06853.
The committee also decided to see what past winners have done with their lives. They heard from the very first recipient — and others. Here are some reports:
Phil Moen (1977): I played soccer for a year and a half at Brown. Freshman year we knocked off top-ranked Clemson in the NCAA quarterfinals, to reach the Final 4. Sophomore year I suffered a career-ending knee injury mid-season. I underwent 2 surgeries. Major reconstruction was highly successful, allowing me to play competitive squash into my 50s. I also enjoy skiing and biking.
Professionally I landed in high-tech, spending most of my career managing global support operations for Hewlett Packard. The best part is traveling around the world, working with people from many countries.
I met my wife Mary freshman year at Brown. We have 4 terrific daughters, 2 granddaughters and grandson on the way. I am enjoying grandparenting very much. Three daughters played soccer in high school. I coached their indoor and outdoor teams while they were growing up, and during the high school off-season.
At Staples I was heavily involved in art. It remains a passion today. My specialty is clay. I work out of Mad Dog Artist Studios in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Soccer represents a magical chapter in my life, and left me with precious memories. Albie Loeffler was the central figure. He built a program that sustained itself. Older players st a high bar, and taught younger players the game via pickup, PAL and tournament matches. This readied Staples players for the season. Albie Loeffler’s aura intensified our focus and commitment. He brought strong discipline to the fore, yet left us free to create on the field which struck a perfect balance.
Kristin Abely (1984): After Staples I graduated from Harvard University, where I played field hockey and softball. I received an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business in 1993, then worked at Morgan Stanley in their fixed income division for 18 years. I now live in New Canaan with my husband Tom Dolan and 2 kids, Mary Ellen and Brendan.
Kenzie DeVito (1995): I was proud to receive the Loeffler Scholar for softball. It was an honor, considering what it stood for. I loved softball, and played most of my childhood. I started to play field hockey freshman year, and received a partial scholarship to Miami University in Ohio for field hockey. I played all 4 years, and was captain for 2. I graduated with a psychology degree, and moved to Chicago soon after.
I fell into human resources in an advertising agency, and never looked back. I have worked at Energy BBDO for the past 16 years, and been head of talent and HR for the past 7 1/2. The time I spent with team sports, and what I learned, was invaluable to me, for how to be the best collaborator and leader possible.
I live in Illinois with my husband Tom and twin 7-year-olds, Henry and Emerson. They keep me very busy! Both are involved with their own passions: baseball and dance.C
Chris Meinke (2005): Given all that the Loeffer Scholarship stands for, it meant a great deal to me to receive it. After graduating, I played 4 years of college soccer, graduating summa cum laude from Connecticut College with a degree in economics. After serving as captain my senior year, I continue to play competitively throughout Connecticut, balancing my time with my passion for golf where I have worked to become a scratch golfer. I married fellow Staples graduate Carolyn Jeffery in 2014. We recently had our first child, Tucker Parke. I work in Rowayton as a financial analyst for a London-based consultant.
Kelly Wall Worsman (2006): After Staples I attended Quinnipiac University, and played 4 years of softball there. We made it to playoffs my freshman and senior year, but came up shy of the championship. I played third base, and was captain my junior and senior year. I graduated with high honors with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, and continued on to get my master’s in secondary education from QU. This is my 7th year as a math teacher at Pinkerton Academy in New Hampshire. I have coached volleyball and softball each year at PA as well. Best of all, my husband and I just had our first baby this past March. She is awesome, and life is good!
Jackson Lesser (2008): The Loeffler Scholarship meant a great deal to me. I’m glad to hear the program is still going strong.
Since graduating from Staples, I studied mathematics and economics at Vanderbilt University. I moved to New York City, and worked as a management consultant in strategy and operations at Deloitte Consulting. After 3 years I moved to Chicago, to pursue my MBA at the University of Chicago Booth.
Upon graduation last June, I spent 4 months traveling through Asia before moving to San Francisco. I now work again at Deloitte Consulting. Two of my roommates here — Mike Smith and Peter Hlawitschka — were former Staples soccer teammates.
In addition to intramural soccer, I am currently training for my 2nd triathlon in May, and my first marathon in July.
Nicole Brill (2011): I graduated from Bates College in 2015 with degrees in education and environmental studies. While writing my thesis on place-based education senior year, I also completed student teaching 7th grad history.
I was captain of of the Bates women’s soccer team, and played on the varsity basketball team freshman year. I co-founded Sustainable Athletes. I studied abroad for a semester in Australia, and spent a summer teaching at Heathfield Community School in England where I grew passionate about exploring the world and learning about different approaches to education.
Since graduating from Bates, I have been living in Stamford and working in Old Greenwich for a global STEM company. I designed STEM curriculum implement in over 30 countries, taught each of the company’s 16 courses, and developed professional development training now used by over 800 teachers around the world.
I am a member of Professional Women of Stamford, and have volunteered the past 2 years with Builders Beyond Borders.
Athletically I compete in the Chelsea Piers co-ed soccer league.
In September I start my education masters degree at King’s College of London. I will also look to play for the KCL Women’s Football Club.
(We want to hear from other past Loeffler Scholarship honorees. Tell us what you’re up to, by email: dwoog@optonline.net)
Albie Loeffler
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