Athletic Hall of Fame
June 5, 2005 – Golf Pro David Pollini (pictured in center) played soccer, basketball, and baseball all 12 seasons while attending Brewster. During his senior year he also played ice hockey at the request of then coach Pop Whalen, thus participating in two varsity sports in one season. After Brewster, Pollini continued his athletic pursuits at Boston University where he played soccer and baseball. Immediately following college, he moved to the role of teacher-coach at Brewster.
According to former Headmaster David M. Smith, in the 1960s, Pollini’s soccer teams were recognized in the National Soccer Guide as top prep school teams in the country, and his teams won four consecutive Lakes Region Championships.
“Dave always had high expectations that stemmed from his confidence in those who he coached,” Smith said. “Each and every student on those teams knew it and respected him – and themselves – as a result of his faith in them. His confidence in them became their confidence in themselves.”
In addition to teaching and coaching, Pollini also played golf and in 1967 he became the head pro at the nearby Kingswood Golf Club, a position he held until last year, and in 1971 he became a PGA pro.
A plaque in honor of Pollini now hangs in the Athletic Hall of Fame and reads: “On this day we hereby recognize and pay tribute to Dave Pollini for his extraordinary contributions to Brewster athletics as a student, teacher, coach, for his distinguished professional career, and for his contributions to athletics within the community.”
