Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/25/21
Veteran mentor Jef Hewlings has stepped down after 9 seasons as head boys’ lacrosse coach at Strath Haven.
Hewlings posted a 101-65 record at Haven and took the Panthers to the PIAA Class AA title game in 2018 while also building a successful foundation and tournament to raise money for Alzheimer’s patients.
“I felt it was the right time for me and the program,” he said.
“With sincere appreciation and gratitude, I want to thank all that have supported our Strath Haven Panther Lacrosse community over these past 9 years,” he said in a statement to the media and his team. “To all the players, parents, families, coaches and alumni who have poured positive energy and enthusiasm into the program during my time here, I am truly grateful for your positive support of the values we have worked to instill in our student athletes.
“I will take with me the many relationships I’ve built with players and their families, and I will surely miss the grind of daily practices on King Field and the excitement of game day.”
Hewlings in 2013 founded “Play for A’s,” a grassroots foundation that has raised over $105,000 to support local families dealing with the difficulty of 24/7/365 care of family members in need. The key event each year has been a high school tournament, a large part of the fundraising. Hewlings’ players have been heavily involved in leadership for the event and fundraising efforts.
“I plan to continue to support our Alzheimer’s cause, and I feel certain I’ll remain close to this great game in some capacity down the road,” he said.
Hewlings has been a head coach for 36 years, including stints at Malvern Prep, Penncrest, Oneonta (N.Y.) and Emmaus. He has 343 career wins and led Strath Haven to a share of the 2016 Central League championship and into the District 1 Class AA finals in 2018. He said he is not retiring, and could return in the right situation.
“If the right opportunity presents itself, I’m hoping I can stay in coaching in some way,” he said. “I love seeing the results of hard work over time.”
