By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 8/22/14
Two successful Philly girls’ coaches have left their positions as Strath Haven’s Rachel Busza has taken a job at Delco Christian and North Penn Jamie Behn left her post at North Penn after 12 seasons to spend more time with her family.
Busza posted a record of 57-29 in her four years at Strath Haven and led the Panthers to the PIAA final in 2012 when they fell to Garnet Valley, 10-9, in overtime. She took the job at Delco Christian primarily because she also accepted a Health/Phys Ed teaching position there.
“Teaching Health and PE has always been my passion, and being able to mix it with my faith in God and an opportunity to grow a new program at DCCS is such an amazing opportunity!” Busza said. “I hope to build strong athletes who have the desire to grow in their faith and love of lacrosse, and a trip down the road in the future to Hershey Stadium wouldn’t be bad either.
“As for now I’m excited to spread the knowledge of lacrosse, grow the program, and the love of the game at DCCS.”
Busza is proud of what the Pnathers achieved during her four years and credits the players and the Strath Haven community for the success.
“Haven was tough to leave, I had a great experience with the lacrosse girls, Athletic Department, as well as the Wallingford/Swarthmore community,” she said. “I feel blessed to have been able to teach, lead, and grow a program that I will always hold dear to my hear … they will always be family!
“I will never forget ALL we accomplished together each season, and of course I will never forget going to Hershey for that Unbelievable State Championship game in 2012. I will Always BELIEVE in them!
“I had so many wonderful moments at Haven … it’s hard to pinpoint them all. I will also miss seeing and competing with the other Central League coaches who are all great friends and wonderful people.”
Behm compiled a 181-60-3 record and guided the Maidens to seven Suburban One National or Continental championships. Forty-seven of her players have gone on to play at the Division I, II or III levels and 10 of her players earned US Lacrosse All-American honors. The best North Penn team under Behm was the 2010 club that went 19-4 and reached the PIAA tournament while going undefeated in Suburban One Continental play.
“This was an extremely hard decision for me,” said Behm, who starred at La Salle University. “I have so much pride in North Penn athletics and in particular our lacrosse program. When I took the position back in 2003 we were not in an elite category, but I had a vision of what this program could become.
“The girls bought into my philosophy and we started to add tougher teams to our schedule. We always had the athletes but our athletes became lacrosse players.
“The program is in a good spot and I want to spend time with my son (18 months old). This season I have been running back and forth from lacrosse and home. I want to be home to watch him grow up, you cannot get these years back with your children and in high school sports today, to be competitive it cannot just be time spent during the season. I am looking forward to taking some time off, I think I will get the itch to get back into coaching in a few years but for now this is what is best for my family.”
