For Frank, 8 (titles) is enough
Soon after Leslie Frank took over the Westwood High School girls lacrosse program in 1999, she penned a letter to the town newspaper that used Margaret Mead’s famous quote, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
As the coach of the Wolverines and a parent in the community, she considered herself a part of that village. Now, having won eight Division 1 state championships, leading five undefeated seasons and leaving her mark on hundreds of student-athletes over 18 years, Frank believes that both of her villages — Westwood and the lacrosse community — are in a good spot for her to step away.
Frank first told the Westwood Press’ Tom Fargo of her intention to step down from her position for an article that ran Sunday. She wants to let the new crop of coaches — many whom she coached at Westwood or with the Mass. Elite club program — have room to shine, including her daughter Meredith, the coach of Westwood’s biggest rival, Notre Dame-Hingham.
Frank’s impact on girls lacrosse in the commonwealth has been substantial.
“There were seven high schools playing when I started, and now there’s 70,” Frank told the Herald yesterday.
She is also credited with encouraging the development of girls youth programs in Massachusetts, which elevated the level of play by presenting girls to the sport earlier.
But Frank’s impact wasn’t all about the game. Her goal was empowering young women to be independent and confident.
“Not only did she coach me into a smart and talented lacrosse player, but she more importantly taught me to be a mature, hardworking and selfless teammate and leader,” Emerson College coach Kathryn Egizi said.
Said Boston College midfielder Brooke Troy: “She always encouraged us to translate the lessons we learn on the field into the classroom and our everyday lives. These are skills that will last a lifetime, even beyond my years of lacrosse.”
“She wasn’t just our coach,” said daughter Alex Frank, an assistant coach at the University of Colorado. “She was our inspiration, a mentor and a role model. It’s something I hope I can do for my athletes.”
That was more of Frank’s aim than winning games.
“I had the opportunity to be very involved in my players’ lives,” she said. “Just being there at a very important time in a young girl’s life. It’s their fragile years, but it is also the most exciting. In those four years, so much growth happens.”
Frank still will have those mentorship opportunities as the director of Mass. Elite, and she may find a nursing position. This is by no means a full retirement, she said.
“I am that type-A personalty that I have to stay busy, so I’m sure I’ll end up doing something,” she said.
There is little doubt Frank changed the landscape of girls lacrosse, but looking back, she sees her work as part of that “village” she wrote about years ago the most impactful.
“That Margaret Mead quote is so important,” she said. “That village raised my children. Watching the town of Westwood support their children gives me such a sense of pride to have been involved.”