“I love the energy and spirit of the game.  Lately it has been a really competitive game, and all the students get into it.  The gym can get so loud that you can barely hear yourself talk.  I love also that the students almost always cheer for faculty, and when an Upper School faculty member like Mr. McManus, Mr. Verge, or Mrs. Bozzi hits a shot, they go crazy.  The cheering really lifts us up because we rarely win the game.”

How does participating in the student-faculty basketball game allow you to connect and interact with students and faculty outside of an academic setting?

“I think my students are always surprised that I can play basketball.  I am getting a bit older now, so I only play for a short time and mostly referee, but in the past, when I used to score a bunch of baskets, my students would approach me with a look on their face that seemed to say, ‘hey, you aren’t just a nerdy English teacher.’  With faculty, it is so much fun to play with other Upper School teachers, but especially the coaches and the staff.  We have a great spirit of community as a team.”

How does the student-faculty basketball game build school spirit and strengthen the Sacred Heart community? 

“The student-faculty basketball game is probably my favorite event of the year, even better than Congé.  It’s an amazing Sacred Heart Greenwich tradition.  I love playing against the varsity team every year.  It really builds a respect and a bond among the faculty and student basketball players.  The game is competitive but also full of generosity and sportsmanship, truly an embodiment of Goal IV.  It really sets the tone for the whole last day before Christmas break.”

The King Street Chronicle thanks Dr. William Mottolese for his contributions to “Humans of Sacred Heart.”