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caster Rec Department and the Lancaster / Depew soccer program . I knew since I was a young player that I wanted to grow up and be around the game coaching ,” explained Heist . “ The most important thing I think I can be for young females is a good role model . I like to think of myself teaching these girls life skills and what skills go into being a good soccer player . I like to teach and preach volunteerism , appreciation of their peers and family , good sportsmanship , and building good character by making the right decisions on and off the field . I like to bring up examples from my past to help the girls understand that I was once in their shoes and anything can be possible with good morals and a good work ethic .”
While coaching was in her blood , it was the other career move that she has learned to love . Last year Heist was named as the new athletic director at St . Mary ’ s High School , a co-ed Catholic school in Lancaster .
It was a bit of a change for someone who went to a pretty big public school in Lancaster High School . Even with it being co-ed , St . Mary ’ s isn ’ t a big Catholic school . But , they can compete . They have the states best girls volleyball program , and the baseball team took St . Joe ’ s to three games in the Georgetown Cup finals before falling .
For Heist taking over the program has been a very pleasant experience , and one she is glad she has had the opportunity to do .
“ St . Mary ’ s athletics has been a fantastic change in my career . The atmosphere amongst the administration team at the school and the coaching staff there makes the job very enjoyable . When you enjoy your job and carry relatively good organizational skills and genuine interest in the program and team success , it can only fuel positive results ,” explained Heist . “ The past year was a fantastic year for athletics but that is a direct result of each of the coach ’ s passion about the program and the work they get their athletes to put in . I am looking forward to more successful seasons at SMH and continuing to work along side awesome administration and a great coaching staff .”
Sustaining success at St . Mary ’ s in the key . Every school goes through those periods where they have a solid team in one sport for years , but other sports suffer . At St . Mary ’ s it seems every sport is clicking on all cylinders and that includes the team that Heist coaches in girls soccer .
But , even with recent success , Heist knows she needs to be able to continue the success in a difficult Monsignor Martin Athletic Association .
“ A high level training environment for the girls to be apart of , a level of commitment from the girls who play school soccer and for those who do to get involved in other soccer programs
or camps throughout the school year , a JV program so subsequently getting more girls interested and engaged in the sport , and continuing to build a culture ,” stated Heist . “ I think culture makes or breaks teams , so it ’ s instilling a more serious , competitive culture which include setting traditions and goal setting .”
Going to Lancaster High School , it ’ s a homecoming for Heist . There are challenges of working at a Catholic school . A lot of the young boys and girls don ’ t come the district . They come from all over WNY . Some come from Hamburg , South Buffalo , Cheektowaga and so on .
The biggest challenge for Heist is to make sure all the kids that come in the school know what the mission of the school is , and to make sure
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they are comfortable when they start . For a lot of them it ’ s a culture shock that they aren ’ t used to .
“ I think that there are challenges in every job . The biggest challenge in being an AD at a Catholic school is that the incoming class of students are coming in from all different towns and grammar schools ,” stated Hesit . “ The challenge would be making sure they are all on board with the school ’ s tradition and beliefs and getting them to buy into the athletic culture ( success in classroom , practice mentality , etc .) With their buy in , it helps make a seamless transition and allow the programs to continue to be successful .”
Success is something that Brittany Heist is used to - first on the soccer field and now in her career .