V845 softball coach of year: VC's Jordan keeps it all together on, off field

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Times Herald-Record

Published: 2:00 AM - 06/23/12

The toughest days? They have yet to come, but Valley Central softball coach Frank Jordan knows they lie ahead, now that the season is done.

The last few weeks have been an intense combination of celebration and mourning for Jordan. On May 29, Jordan's father, John, died after a battle with Parkinson's disease at the age of 92. Four days later, Jordan led Valley Central to its third straight Section 9 Class AA title, and the Vikings would reach the state semifinals for the first time in school history.

So how did Jordan, the Varsity845 Coach of the Year, hold it all together?

"I think, mentally, you compartmentalize things," Jordan said. "You still have to go to work and coach when you are stressed out. You don't want to be isolated with your own thoughts. For two hours, to go to practice and do something you love it helps."

After his father's passing, Jordan left the team to be with his family on Long Island. His trusted assistant, Tinker Bunting, coached the team to an 11-3 win versus Kingston in the Section 9 Class AA semifinals. Jordan returned to the team for a 9-4 win against Minisink Valley in the Section 9 final on the same day he buried his dad in East Islip.

"I know it was really tough for him," Valley Central third baseman Leanna Feerick said. "Coach Jordan is like a second father to me and it was very inspirational to see him. He kept it together for that game and that meant a lot. Coach Jordan just helped us the whole season."

Still grieving, Jordan helped Valley Central to a 2-1 win versus defending Class AA state champion John Jay-East Fishkill, which had won 31 games in a row, in the state quarterfinals. Perhaps decompressing a bit, Jordan jumped in the middle of the post-game celebration pile, a rare show of emotion for him. Jordan's latest run didn't go down without move after returning from his dad's funeral.

Before the Minisink Valley game, Jordan surprised some by pulling pitcher C.J. Kohler, who helped the Vikings to the Class AA title last year, in favor of sophomore Cindy Connoly.

Connoly gutted out a win against Minisink Valley and was masterful against John Jay, throwing a three-hitter. She was solid again in Valley Central's 2-1 loss to Cicero North Syracuse in the Class AA state semifinals. Kohler, who missed time down the stretch with a shoulder injury, admits being upset when she heard the news. Still, Jordan quickly calmed Kohler down.

"He told me how proud he was of me and how we wouldn't be in this position without me," Kohler said. "Coach Jordan is like a father-figure to me. He wants us to be a part of his family and I love that. Jordan just always kept us all together."

jrodriguez@th-record.com

Age: 42

Resides: Milford, Pa.

Family: wife, Joanne (married 17 years); daughter, Hailey (9 year old) Dakota, 5.

Career record: Jordan is 265-94 (.738) in 15 seasons at Valley Central. He has won four Section 9 Class AA titles and eight OCIAA divisional championships.

Job: School psychologist at Valley Central High School (16 years).

Education: East Islip High School, 1987; Stony Brook University, 1991 (psychology degree); St. John's University, 1994 (master's in school psychology).

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