Harry C. Hoyle

Coach

Basketball, Crew

1955 - 1985

Harry Hoyle was a beloved member of the Tabor Academy faculty for over 32 years. For 20 of those years, he led the boys' varsity basketball and crew teams as head coach. During this time he developed many great athletes and winning teams. Coach Hoyle worked his teams hard in practice to prepare his athletes to play against their competition. His teams were always both physically and mentally ready. Two highlights of his coaching career, both of which include Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, were coaching the winning 1961 SE New England Class "B" Basketball Champions and winning 1965 The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at The Royal Henley Regatta in England.

Coach Hoyle had a great desire to win and constantly studied new basketball and crew techniques, as he wasn't afraid to try new ideas to improve his teams. Always composed, Coach Hoyle commanded the respect of both his athletes and the coaches of opposing teams. He pushed his athletes to their highest physical capacity in training, while giving positive instruction and encouragement. By knowing each of his team's strengths and weaknesses, Coach Hoyle was able to motivate his athletes, giving them a belief and desire to win. Sportsmanship was an important part of his coaching; he expected his athletes to win or lose with grace.

Coach Hoyle is certainly symbolic of Tabor's long tradition in the sports of basketball and crew. Henley is a place where Coach Hoyle will be remembered with respect, and Tabor crews will always be welcome there because of him. With the dedication of the Harry C. Hoyle Crew Room in 1990, his legacy continues to live on.