Autumn Athletics

As the air becomes crisp, leaves turn crimson and orange, and fall sports begin with the Mountain Lakes Athletic Department. The games bring out the crowds and fill the community with excitement under Friday night lights. We spoke with Kevin Wallace, Mountain Lakes athletic director, for a glimpse at athletics for high school Lakers.  

It’s his fifth year as athletic director, but Wallace is in his 29th year in the Mountain Lakes school district. Playing football and baseball in his own high school days and then a college football career at Gettysburg College, Wallace gives students experience and dedication to coaching.  

“After I graduated college, I coached football and baseball at Glen Rock High School until I moved full-time to Mountain Lakes High School, where I coached both football and baseball,” says Wallace. “I was an assistant baseball coach for 6 years, head coach for 17 years and an assistant football coach for the Herd for 13 years.” Wallace also coached swim for six years and ran the weight room at MLHS for many years when he wasn’t coaching winter sports.

Sports Galore    

At Mountain Lakes High School, the fall season is thriving, including tennis, soccer, football, field hockey, volleyball, and cross-country. The athletic department has a strong philosophy. From the website, “MLHS Athletics is dedicated to providing a wide range of opportunities for any student athlete who is willing to dedicate his or her time and energy in a positive way to a particular sport or team. Athletics at MLHS provide a means for student-athletes to learn, to grow, and to excel. Our teams provide opportunities for student-athletes to learn the values of mutual respect, sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork, dedication, healthy competition, and overall fitness.” 

Wallace is excited for the season and proud of the turn out this year. “I believe all teams will compete at high levels this fall and continue to improve as the season goes on,” he says. “The great thing about this fall has been the record number of athletes that have signed up to participate in fall sports,” he says. “For a smaller Group 1 School, we have such a high number of student athletes that want to be part of a sport at MLHS.  It’s great to see such high levels of interest from our kids.” 

So far this season, MLHS has had strong showings. At the end of August and early September alone, there were great wins across the board. On the athletics website, you can track the highlights to stay current on Laker sports.  

Homecoming is an important milestone and highlight of football season, taking place on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. Students look forward to the fun, and this year, playing Boonton High School adds a little local rivalry. “It’s always good to have a homecoming against our neighbors,” says Wallace. 

The bigger athletic events bring out the crowds and bond locals. Wallace encourages attendance, saying, “State and county events are always a great way the community can support our student athletes.” 

Creating Community 

Being athletic director is not a position Wallace takes lightly, and at the center of it all, are the students and the Laker community feel. “I love to see the way our kids compete and the intensity they bring to each and every game, meet or match,” he says. “Our student athletes really enjoy participating in high school sports, and it shows when you see their performances.”  

Wallace also values the connections he makes with the entire athletic staff. “We have great coaches who care so much about the kids and want them all to have success in all facets of their lives,” he says. “It’s great to work with them and help them accomplish their goals. Ms. Britton, my administrative assistant, and Mr. Bongiorno, our athletic trainer, also make the athletic community such a special place,” says Wallace.  

The kids make the job easy, and Wallace admires the way they support one another. “You frequently see seniors taking care of freshmen and sophomores that are new to the team, creating great team culture. You don’t always see that at other schools,” he says.  

In his spare time, Wallace enjoys spending time with his wife of 26 years, Jennifer, and their two daughters (one in college and the other a high school senior). “We like to travel together when time and schedules permit,” says Wallace. “They love the beach, and I’m more of an outdoors person. I enjoy hiking and running the mountain trails and skiing in the winter,” he says. “I also like to play golf, just not as well as I’d like,” he quips. “I am a big Boston Red Sox fan and love watching college football in the fall.” 

Mountain Lakes holds a very special place for Wallace, and he’s happy to be a part of it. “I love to see the way the community rallies for the benefit of our student athletes. Just look at Flynn Field. The entire community got together to bring this field to fruition. Now we have a second turf field for everyone to use that looks awesome. That is a direct result of the way the school district and community support our past, current, and future student athletes,” he says. 

Wallace continues, “The Mountain Lakes community is very passionate about athletics and takes pride in the success of our teams. This is what makes us one of the best small school programs in the state.” 

For more information about MLHS sports, visit hs.mlschools.org/athletics. 

Photographs by Antonietta Henry

Antonietta Henry is a wife, mother of four, and owner of Antonietta Henry Photography in Pompton Plains. She enjoys exploring and learning more about towns throughout her home state of New Jersey.