2004 EAGLEBROOK SCHOOL ALUMNI MAGAZINE

By, Vicki Jenkins 

    Robert Fried (EBS '96) has set the bar high for our recent graduates.  After graduating from Eaglebrook, Rob attended Deerfield Academy, where he captained the Varsity Soccer, Hockey, and Lacrosse teams.  While he received Division I scholarship offers for soccer, as well as hockey and lacrosse, Rob chose to attend Harvard University.  In an age when it is very rare to play two college sports, Rob has been a standout at the Division I level for both ice hockey and lacrosse for the Crimson.  As Assistant Captain for the 2003-04 Harvard University Crimson, Rob helped lead the team to their best record of the past decade, the ECAC Tournament title, and Harvard's third consecutive NCAA tournament appearance. 

    A former Sports Illustrated Magazine/Old Spice "Athlete of the Month", Rob was recently presented with the John P. Reardon Jr. Award as the male who exemplifies the qualities of excellent scholarship, character, leadership, and athletic ability.  Rob also won the Francis J. Toland Service award, and was named a finalist for the U.S. College Hockey National Humanitarian Award presented annually to honor the work and accomplishments of exemplary individuals in mens' and womens' collegiate hockey.  Rob was honored for a program he created this past summer, the "Crimson City Hockey Clinic", a free weekly ice hockey clinic for young underprivileged youth in the Greater Boston area.  While Rob has recently graduated from Harvard, he will again lead the program this summer and is training a teammate from the Crimson to take his place next year. 

    Harvard Head Hockey Coach Mark Mazzoleni spoke highly of Rob, "In my twenty-four years as a Division One Coach, Rob is one of the finest, most well-rounded young men with whom I have had the privilege of working with. He is a person of the highest character, who has represented Harvard well. He is the true picture of what it means to be a successful student athlete." 

    Rob was a third round draft pick (77th overall) of the Florida Panthers.  He was waived and is currently a free agent who plans to attend tryouts in September and play professionally next season.  While it is still uncertain as to where he will be playing next year, coach Mazzoleni added, "I have no doubt that he will be playing somewhere next year." 

    I had the good fortune to speak with Rob recently about his great Eaglebrook experiences and the many accomplishments that led to where he is today.  Rob remembers his time at Eaglebrook as one where he was able to explore his interests and abilities.  Rob became a soccer goalie during his time at Eaglebrook, and when he showed interest in playing lacrosse, his parents supported his interest by helping to round up equipment for him.  He began his career as a long-stick midfielder here on our fields, a career that extended through this past season when he was an outstanding player for the Crimson. 

    Rob describes himself as a late-bloomer of sorts.  He spent a season playing Junior Varsity hockey for Deerfield, and a second season mostly warming the Varsity bench before becoming the leading scorer on the team his Junior year.  By his senior year, he was voted team Captain.  Rob encourages our young players to have patience with themselves, and have the perspective to enjoy being on whatever team they are placed.  Rob said, "What is important is to work hard, to enjoy your experience on each team, and always do your best to improve. If you focus on the process and not the outcome, your time will come."