By Don Rush

This spring the Varsity Boys Golf team will be led by a new face. Tim Fox, 48 years old, a graduate from Chippewa Valley High School and Central Michigan University is the team’s new coach.

“I am extremely excited about our team this year and for the years ahead,” he said. “It’s a young, but extremely talented team and I can’t wait to see what these boys can accomplish. That said, the few seniors we do have are good players, great teammates, and even better leaders — their younger teammates and lucky to have them lead this team forward.”

On the squad this year are seniors Van Burhans and James Nash; juniors Luke Denning and Thomas Trbovich; and sophomores Dominic Davesa and Brady Fox.

Fox is not a teacher, rather a Sales Director for WIT Inc., a small data and analytics consulting firm based in Troy.

“I started playing golf at the age of five. I worked in the industry for nearly 10 years — retail, golf course maintenance, assistant golf pro, club building, putting logos on golf balls, giving golf lessons and clinics,” he said. “I played in high school and was All-State. I played competitively after college and qualified and played in the Michigan Open and Michigan Amateur multiple times. I have coached baseball for the last eight years and I have given lessons and kids clinics for the past few years.”

He feels he has learned and experienced more in the sport (and industry) of golf than most “I have a true passion for it. But mostly, I love the competitive side of the game. So, when the position became available, it felt like a good opportunity to pass on my knowledge of the game to those that have a desire to challenge themselves at the competitive level. It’s always been something I’ve wanted to do later on in life… and it’s icing on the cake to coach in the community in which I live and love.”

Fox and his wife have three children. “My wife and I moved to Oxford in 2003, primarily because of the area but also because of the golf course our house sits across the street from. I’m very passionate about the game of golf. I love playing it, watching it, teaching it, and talking about it.”

This Thursday the boys travel to the Great Oaks County Club to square off against Rochester High School. On Friday they play Farmington High at Farmington Hills Golf Club. On Monday they head to Indianwood Country Club.

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Noah Grove is an Oxford High School graduate and a social studies teacher at Oxford Middle School. This spring is also the new Varsity Boys Lacrosse coach.

“I started playing lacrosse in 7th grade, the very first year that the Oxford youth lacrosse team began,” he said. “After playing on the youth team for two years, I went on to play varsity on our high school team for all four years, along with various travel organizations. I continued to play during college at the Division 2 level. While playing at the University of Indianapolis I was a four-year captain, two-time conference champion, and a part of an NCAA Final 4 during my senior season.

“Coming back to coach at my alma mater is extremely meaningful. I am a fourth generation Oxford resident and being able to contribute to the community along with the growth of these student athletes, like others have before me, is something special and I take great pride in it.”

He said while the high school lacrosse program has been around for “many” years now, Oxford currently has its largest rosters in program history, both at the Varsity and Junior Varsity Levels. 

“Our senior leadership is very important to us and we will be heavily dependent on it,” he said. “Senior Attackman Jacob Lanni has been a strong hold for our varsity team on the offensive side of the field. We are looking for great things from him this season. Logan Wilmot is another senior who we will look to during our games to make large contributions. Wilmott is poised for a fantastic year.”

As for up and coming players to watch this coming season, he said Senior Robert Izak and Junior Joseph Mucciacciaro will break-outs on the offensive side of the field.

“The anchor of our defense, Vicenzo Deblasi, is prepared to have a great season as our senior goalkeeper between the pipes. Senior defensive midfielder Jared Cypher is going to greatly contribute on our defensive side as well.”

He said Senior Brennan McDevitt has developed as a player and has put in the work to surely make a tremendous impact as our long stick midfielder.

“As for our young players to watch out for on defense, sophomores Patrick Wozniak and Reed Swieczkowski will be exciting to follow as they take on opposing offenses in the future,” he said. “We are a young team in some areas, but that will make our senior leadership that much more important. Our senior leadership will set a good example while creating a strong foundation and lasting impact that will stay with the program throughout the years.”

When not teaching or coaching, Grove said he enjoys spending a “tremendous” amount of time with his family and doing various activities outdoors. “More specifically I enjoy hiking, spending time out on the water, and being up north.”

This Friday the Wildcats host Howell High School. On Saturday they travel to Orchard Lake Saint Mary’s High School. Both games start at 7 p.m.

Cutlines:

Coach Tim Fox

Coach Noah Grove