Eastern freshman McGroarty thriving with father as coach
Her Eastern teammates still laugh sometimes. And it's always a surprise to those who have never heard it before. "People aren't used to it," Kelli McGroarty said. "But when we're on the field, he's coach, and that's what I call him."
Her Eastern teammates still laugh sometimes.
And it's always a surprise to those who have never heard it before.
"People aren't used to it," Kelli McGroarty said. "But when we're on the field, he's coach, and that's what I call him."
It's true that, if you didn't already know it, it would be impossible to tell that McGroarty's head coach is her father, Jamie McGroarty.
But calling him Coach on the field is part of a balancing act that has worked so far for the freshman and her legendary father, the winningest girls' soccer coach in South Jersey history.
In her freshman season, Kelli is a starting midfielder with eight goals and a team-leading 10 assists for an Eastern team with a 12-1-2 record that is ranked No. 1 in the Inquirer's South Jersey rankings.
Over the years, the Vikings have been known for fielding some of the state's most imposing offensive talent. But that's not Kelli, which is a great source of pride for her father.
Kelli is all of five feet tall. She looks every bit the freshman that she is.
And her style is as unassuming on the field as it is off it.
"But one of the things I'm most proud of - and one of the things that has allowed her to have success as a freshman - is that she's such a hard worker," Jamie McGroarty said. "And I think the fact the she is such a hard worker has made this whole experience that much better. She does the little things right that you'd hope a coach's kid would do.
"So it's going to be a fun ride."
McGroarty admits to having those rare moments when he catches himself watching games more as a father than as a coach. Before this season, he had coached his daughter in basketball and had brief stints with her in club soccer when she was younger. But there's something different about the thrill of a varsity soccer field, something that has been a part of the McGroarty's life since he was a standout at Cherry Hill West in the 1980s.
He went on to be a first-team all-American at Rowan in the early 1990s. He spent 11 years coaching Delsea, where he won a state title in 1993. And he's been with Eastern since 2003, where he's won state titles in 2005 and 2006 for a program he has turned into a powerhouse. In total, he is approaching 400 wins in his coaching career.
It's the kind of legacy that tends to cast a long shadow.
But talking to Kelli, you'd never know it.
She said she feels right at home, comfortable playing for Eastern.
She might refer to her father as Coach on the field. But Eastern soccer is an extension of her family.
As she sees it, she's been a member of the team her whole life.
"I used to be a ball girl," Kelli said. "So when I finally got the chance to play this year, I was definitely more excited than nervous. I've been able to watch so many great former players, so to finally be here myself is a great feeling. And being able to play for my dad just makes it even more special."
The ups and downs of having her father as a coach, as can be expected, revolve around communication.
The best part: "I find it easier, especially as a freshman. Sometimes if you have a question you might hold back. But me, I will always ask the question," Kelli said.
The hardest part: "Probably trying not to get into an argument," she said with a laugh.
But on the field, the two are certainly linked by a common goal. Every day at school, Kelli walks past a picture of herself.
She was 4 years old in 2006 when Eastern won a state championship. And there is a plaque on the wall at Eastern with a team photo from they day the Vikings won the title.
"And there I am with my little purple fluffy coat, standing with the team," Kelli said. "So my goal is to win states with my team and be in two pictures right next to each other up on that wall."