By Will Specht, Staff Writer
Mr. Gonsouland is an impressive coach and teacher, with this year marking his 5th year teaching at the school, 20th year teaching overall, and 26th year coaching lacrosse. As Mr. Gonsouland continues to have a successful teaching career at River Hill, Hawks will carry on supporting him, and love having him at the school. His coaching career is just as impressive as he coaches multiple of the sports he loves and plays.
Even before working at River Hill, Mr. Gonsouland lived in Howard County, attending Wilde Lake High School. He was a multi-sport athlete and even played on the 1990 state championship football team for Wilde Lake. After high school, his athletic career gets even more impressive. He played in the NLL (National Lacrosse League) where he played for the Pittsburgh Crossfire. These years playing professional lacrosse gave him the knowledge and leadership credentials needed to be a successful coach.
For the past 22 years, Mr. Gonsouland has been coaching boys lacrosse here at River Hill. He is respected by his players for the way he motivates and encourages good sportsmanship and values. Although his first 4 years of coaching were at Glenelg Country School, Coach Gonsouland has spent the mass majority of his coaching career here at River Hill.
In addition to coaching lacrosse, Mr. Gonsouland teaches English 11. His path to becoming a teacher came through his influences in his youth. He talked about this, saying, “I had really good teachers and coaches who were also teachers growing up and they really left an impact on me for the better.” Mr. Gonsouland hopes to inspire his students and be the same role model that his teachers and coaches were for him. Personally, I can definitely say he has left an impact on me with his teaching style, engaging conversations, and overall kindness.
Mr. Gonsouland works to be a successful teacher and coach by “reinforcing core values and putting myself in check. Also holding myself accountable to try and become the best person possible that I can be.” Some of his players also had Mr. Gonsouland as their teacher, so they get to see both sides of Mr. Gonsouland’s teaching style. Bob Lovell senior at River Hill, is on the lacrosse team and also had him as an English teacher last year. Bob had some kind words when asked about Mr. Gonsouland, “I think he is a great teacher and an even greater coach because of his leadership. His coaching style really brings the team together when it matters.”
In the future, Mr. Gonsouland is going to continue teaching and coaching lacrosse at River Hill, as well as coaching golf at Long Reach. In addition, he loves to spend his free time with his 12 year-old daughter Grace and to watch Marvel movies with her.
River Hill appreciates everything Mr. Gonsouland has done and will continue to do for River Hill. We are lucky to have Mr. Gonsouland as such a great role model, teacher, and coach who supports the Hawks.