Scott Friedlander said a temporary goodbye to the cross country team in 2007 after running in the program for four years. The logbook sessions, morning workouts and races had become the norm and it was difficult for him to leave it all behind. After being a captain and being named an all-state runner, he went on to run at Brown University. However, this year he returned, but this time as the assistant coach for the team he loved so much.

Initially, Friedlander joined cross-country as an after school activity. He had no expectations and never intended to fall in love with the sport the way he did. Friedlander explains that his world formed around the sport. Friends, pride, and accomplishments all came from the activity that he started for fun.

Coach Kip Gasper, who coached Friedlander and many other athletes before retiring this past year, always remembered how hard Friedlander worked on a daily basis to become one of the best runners at Deerfield and as a distinguished collegiate athlete.

“He was one of those guys that really bought into and understood what it took to become the best runner you can be, I’ve never seen any runner that was as willing as he was race after race to run to the utmost of his ability on any given day,” Gasper said.

Living on the East Coast didn’t hold Friedlander back from visiting the team. Even after graduating, Friedlander maintained close relations with the program. He spent his breaks through the school year visiting the team and meeting new runners. One summer, Friedlander even participated in the boys summer running program.

“I came back here [one summer] and trained with Deerfield’s top guy who was never in highschool with me…I got to know a whole new generation of kids that were on the team, …I never really lost touch with the team at all…[as coach] I just wanted to see the incredible tradition and the lessons and the incredible influence that this team had on me carry on.” Friedlander said.

A priority for Gasper upon leaving the program was to find a replacement who would continue years of cross country tradition. He knew Friedlander would be an great choice since he participated in the program just a few years prior.

“First off, the guys from the team can look at him and understand, he’s literally from where they’re from, he’s literally a Deerfield kid who was willing to buy in and do what it took and he knows where their mindsets are at … He just has a feel for that,” Gasper said.

As time went on, Friedlander was approached by the previous head coach, Jeremy Kauffman, and the boys on the team, who even spoke to a committee on why they thought Friedlander should be hired. Although Friedlander made the decision late, he knew it was the right choice.

“I wanted to see Deerfield carry on all of the traditions that we had. And so I figured if the program was going into a new direction with someone brand new I’d like to be there for the continuation of all the incredible things that coach Kauffman had built into the program,” Friedlander said.

Friedlander never thought he would coach cross country, but wanted to make sure the culture and lessons he learned as a freshman would still be taught today.

“It would be such a shame if because you started high school and you didn’t get the same incredible experience that I got, so it was just important to me for Deerfield specifically, I didn’t want to coach cross country anywhere else.” he said.

Traditions are a key part of the cross country culture. An example of an unfaltering tradition is the banana relay where the team is divided up and races against one another, using a banana as a baton. Friedlander believes that his experience in the program provides continuity after a change in coaching staff.

“I think they probably wanted someone around who knew how special the program was and could help with the transition from one coach to another and really keep the program as special as it once was” Friedlander said.

Senior captain Davey Bickmore sees how much the program means to Friedlander and why coming back was so meaningful for Friedlander and the team.

“For Scott, it was such a big part of his life and it changed him as a person so he really wanted to get back to the program” Bickmore said.

Now as a coach, Friedlander translates what he learned as a runner and expresses that to the team. Bickmore finds that Friedlander is most valuable because of his relatability and insight on how to be a student athlete at Deerfield.

“He’s been able to give us a lot of advice on how to like handle school work and running at the same time and be successful at both of them. Whereas people who haven’t really been through the program don’t really understand in that same struggle.” Bickmore said

What was thought to be a rebuilding year, has been just as exciting as the previous season. On October 24th, the boys took home the title of regional champions.

“It’s just an honor to have been part of the program as a runner and now as a coach,” Friedlander said.