In the world of sports, the spotlight often shines brightest on the stars — the players who make the most noise, score the most goals, and break the most records. But the story of Assistant Field Hockey Coach Taylor Ware is less about personal accolades and more about being part of something greater than oneself.
Coach Ware’s athletic journey did not begin with the blare of a recruiter’s call or the promise of an athletic scholarship. She earned her place on Dartmouth’s team as a walk-on, describing the most memorable moment of her college career, as a game she didn’t even play in.
“The truth is, though I barely stepped on the field, like barely ever throughout the whole season, the rest of the team made me feel that I was still an important part of the team. And when we won the championship, it was at Harvard. It was the first time Dartmouth had won in a really long time. And it was so special, and it was absolutely one of the most special moments in my athletic career, and I literally didn’t play in the game,” said Ware.
Such experiences have sculpted Ware’s coaching philosophy. She recognizes that while Andover’s roster brims with talent, not everyone can bask in the spotlight.
“We have amazing kids on our team. You go to a school like this, you bring in so many student athletes who are so spectacular, and there’s not room and minutes for all of them all the time. And so I have experienced firsthand what it feels like to play a lot when I was in high school and to not play as much in college. And I know what that feels like for these kids, so I just really try to underscore that everybody’s role is super important,” said Ware.
According to Meg Stineman ’25, Ware’s optimism keeps team morale high even during tough days. Her love for the sport keeps her athletes just as motivated and passionate as she is.
“She is just a ball of energy and positivity, and if you need a pick-me-up at any moment, practice or game she is always there. She is always cheering and radiates great energy even on more down days. That is kind of how she leads. She keeps everyone up and happy and ready, super enthusiastic, and she sets a great mood because she is always happy to be there so it makes us happy to be there,” said Stineman.
Ware noted the key differences between the current and previous state of high school sports. She acknowledges the high-pressure environment that student-athletes now must face.
“It is much harder to be a competitive student athlete now than it was when I was playing. I think that the huge focus on club sports and, in some ways, the pressure and the need to be part of club sports year round, in addition to playing for your high school teams really consume so much more of student athletes’ high school years than it ever did for me and for my generation of athletes,” said Ware.
To combat the pressure of high level sports, Ware offers constant support for her athletes, according to Stineman.
Stineman said, “She is really good at helping when you are frustrated. Frustration is part of the game, but especially [during] personally frustrating moments, she has been there to pat you on the back and lift you up. From a coach that is really beneficial to a player, especially with the high pressure of sports. She really reminds you that you are there to love the sport and she loves the sport as well.”
At the heart of Ware’s coaching methods is character development.
Ware said, “When I look back on my own athletic experiences, and then being able to coach younger kids all the way up through where we are now, I think that the most important thing is not how superior they are athletically, but what kind of teammate they are.”
Head Coach Kate Dolan praised Ware’s perennial optimism and ability to nurture her players with unconditional love.
“She exudes passion, just exudes love for whatever she’s doing in the moment. I think kids appreciate and value the love she gives them. It’s unconditional. She’s just a force; of course, the force of all good things. She’s the charm elevator. She’s an elevator who just lifts everybody,” said Dolan.
