Over the last few years since attaining the age of 60 I have been to several memorials and dedications for people I wish I had known better. Sandi Stober clearly fits into that group.
As person after person, including past students, fellow teachers/coaches and family, stood and gave presentations on Sandi's dedication to teaching and coaching it was obvious she made a deep and lasting impression on literally hundreds.
One person, a former student and now district attorney, gave her recall of a true human being. One who gave freely of herself to others through selfless hours of off-the-field sharing of life lessons that etched into memory for use in life after high school. There was also the story of a former student who now coaches at Wake Forest and had two players in this Olympics. It was story after story of gratitude for having been a student or player for Standi Stober.
On Saturday, September 1, former field hockey players, colleagues, family and friends of Sandi Stober came together at Lynbrook High School to re-dedicate the new turf and dedication of now appropriately named Stober Field. Sandi began the Lynbrook High School field hockey program in 1969 and coached the team until her death in 2001. The events not only included speeches and a band, there was also an alumni game and BBQ for all. Watching the alumni players of the 60's pair off against the players of the post 60's was quite entertaining.
Local celebrates included former Monta Vista High School field hockey coach, Cupertino Rotarian and close friend of Sandi's Jerra Rowland among others like Kristy Schneider, one of Stober’s many protégés.
My personal recall of Sandi is being on the opposite side cheering my daughter who played for the Monta Vista field hockey team and seeing Sandi with Jerra and other friends at Bobbi's Coffee Shop many a Saturday morning. Wish I/we had known her better, what an amazing human being.
It is with deep respect and admiration I end this piece with;
Ra Hockey, Ra Stober
