Nic Civale ’10 says he became a father 16 months ago “and there is little doubt that the lessons I learned from Coach Beebe will be reflected in how I raise my son. I am proud to say that I believe his influence will show in a generation of players’ sons and daughters.” 

Coach Beebe is Seth Beebe ’78, who concluded a 40-year coaching career at Loomis Chaffee with the Monday, February 24, game between current III boys basketball players and former III players still at Loomis Chaffee. Nic, who played baseball all four years and was a captain as a senior, was one of the many III basketball players whom Seth coached through the years. 

“Coach Beebe is probably the most influential coach that I’ve ever had, as it pertains to becoming a better athlete and person,” Nic said. 

Trevor Stern ‘07 feels much the same way. 

“Coach Beebe had an incredibly positive impact on me when I was a freshman at LC,” Trevor said. “When I look back on III basketball, it was arguably one of the best athletic experiences I've had in my career. Sports take on such a pressure-filled life at times that III basketball allowed me to have fun, compete, and connect with my peers in a way that was much needed at the time. I was a freshman boy simply trying to find his way. I will never forget how Coach Beebe put his arm around me after practice one day and asked if I was doing OK. I don't remember why I was upset, but I do remember how Coach Beebe cared about me and the rest of my teammates. I'll remember this for the rest of my life. We'll never forget how people treat us. Coach Beebe has a big heart.” 

Seth, the director of advancement services and operations, was honored at Monday’s game for “his years of service, incredible knowledge, and the special qualities that made him an amazing coach all these years,” Athletic Director Sue Cabot said. 

“It was truly an honor,” Seth said. “Plus, so many colleagues showed up for the ceremony. That was a little overwhelming.” 

Boys III basketball is not the only team Seth has coached during his Loomis career. Since 1985, he has coached boys and girls at various levels of basketball, soccer, and lacrosse. In basketball, he was an assistant with the girls JV team and then the head coach of the varsity girls team for nine years, during which time the girls won three league titles and made two New England semifinal appearances. In 2003 he started as head coach of the boys III basketball team and is completing his 23rd season this year. 

He started coaching soccer in the fall of 1985 after refereeing a girls JV soccer game for coach Chuck Vernon. “I guess he found out that, while reffing, I was also giving advice to the players on the field,” Seth said. “He quickly asked me to join him as a coach.” 

Seth assisted Chuck with the JV team for several years and then was head coach of boys III soccer for two years before rejoining Chuck as an assistant for girls varsity soccer for a number of years, including the teams that won New England prep school titles in 1992 and 1994.  

Oh, and let’s not forget that Seth also helped coach girls JV and varsity lacrosse teams for about 10 years. He stopped coaching soccer and lacrosse in the mid-1990s, but he continued to coach basketball for another three decades. 

Thirds basketball has been special to him. 

“I think it’s a combination of many things,” Seth said. “Because of the nature of our roster, mostly freshmen with a sprinkling of sophomores and an occasional junior, we mostly start anew each year. The journey from picking the team to having a pretty highly functional squad at season’s end where everyone knows their role is something I treasure. The energy of the boys brings a smile to my face. Freshman boys for the most part have a hard time staying focused on one thing for very long, so I tried to make practices have a quick pace where we were transitioning from one thing to another. And I tried to make it fun.” 

There were benefits along the way.  

“It’s a great opportunity for them to be involved with a team and make friends,” Seth said. “Admittedly, almost all of them are not going to be varsity basketball stars. But most of them will be varsity athletes in other sports. They learn a lot that translates to their other sports and maybe even beyond sports.” 

Nearly 20 years after he was a III player, Nic still remembers those days fondly. 

“We had a great team the season I played for him (2006–07), and we had a lot of success,” Nic said. “But what I remember most vividly is the feeling that I had arriving at the gym each day. There was no fear of being screamed at. There was no apprehension, wondering if your mistakes would be highlighted. There were many kids on that team who really didn’t have much of an interest in basketball, but they did as long as Coach Beebe was leading them." 

Seth was a caring coach, Nic said. 

“Coach Beebe is the ultimate example of someone who doesn’t need to sacrifice their humanity to be a leader,” he said. “He’s the type of coach you would recommend to anyone, and the type of person you would unconditionally go to battle for.  I’ve had many coaches, but I’ve never had someone connect with me and my teammates the way he did.” 

Seth has had some health issues and has missed some practices this year, but he’s been at every game. His wife, Wendy, has driven him to some away games as has faculty member Jeff Dyreson.  

“Sue Cabot has been fantastic in supporting me,” Seth said, “and I can’t say enough about the work that [faculty member] Scott Purdy has done as co-coach, pretty much managing everything. Andy Parker [assistant coach] has been a big help as well.”  

There is much that Seth will miss about coaching. 

“The players,” he said. “I have tried to give them my best every day, but they bring me such great joy and energy. The competition. It’s fun to put yourself on the line every three or four days and try to win a game. Or at least play well. Finally, Erickson Gym. Erickson Gym is such a classic high school gymnasium. I have been playing or watching games in Erickson Gym since I was a young child [Seth’s father Allen taught and coached at Loomis Chaffee]. It has a particular feel, a smell, an aura. I will miss that a lot.”