Field Hockey Player of the Week: Lauren Rabinowitz

Legacy.

Everybody has one. Not everybody builds one.

Goals…?

Assists…?

Shutouts…?

Wins…?

League Titles…?

Championships…?

MVP Awards…?

All-Star Teams…?

A casual fan may consider those accolades part of a player’s legacy, but in reality, each of those are merely a token of recognition…

The leading goal scorer is recognized as the best offensive player…

The team with the most wins is recognized as the best team…

The school with the most league titles is recognized as the strongest program…

but none of them define a player’s true legacy.

A player’s legacy is often times only realized after they depart the team, but occasionally you can identify a player who is building a legacy that will impact her high school program for years..

How will the team fare when she moves on to college?

How is she remembered by her younger teammates?

Who has she inspired to take her place?

Do those players in turn inspire the next generation?

The WNY Athletics Field Hockey Player of the Week Award wasn’t created to recognize talent. It doesn’t recognize a team’s success on the field. It isn’t designed to recognize great individual performances.

It was created to recognize the one thing that determines a team’s success more than anything else, but you’ll never see it on a stat sheet: a player’s character.

When we were choosing this week’s Player of the Week we were looking for a player who will leave a lasting legacy on their program… somebody who has been inspiring the younger generation, somebody who has been a role model for her teammates and leads by example.

Lauren Rabinowitz from Williamsville North is one of the few players we’ve come across who embody all of this criteria.. and that is why she has been selected as this week’s WNY Athletics Field Hockey Player of the Week!

“Lauren exemplifies the qualities a coach wants from a player.  She constantly seeks feedback to improve, in hopes of bettering her team,” said Williamsville North Head Coach Jessica Rys. “She is a dynamic player who worked very hard in the offseason to improve – it shows! I have found that no challenge is too great for Lauren. She has been able to set goals, learn from her mistakes and lead by example.”

Playing in a program that has won 12 of the last 15 Sectional Championships, Lauren had an opportunity as a younger athlete to learn behind those who came before her.

How to practice, how to carry herself with confidence, how to help her younger teammates grow..

When it came time for her take up the torch and lead, she rose to the occasion and has far exceeded her coaches’ expectations.

“Lauren takes her role on the team very seriously.  She has the desire to win, score goals and keep the team together. I am very proud of her and it has been a pleasure to watch her develop over the years. Her positive spirit, hardworking attitude and light-hearted sense of humor will definitely be missed next year.”

Rabinowitz has not only been a leader on the field for the #1 ranked Williamsville North team, she been instrumental in building the youth development programs at Casey, Heim, North and the Williamsville Stampede.

She is one of the first to volunteer her time and understands the nurturing aspect of teaching and coaching by allowing others to learn in a positive environment.

The time that Lauren has spent working with the youth will ensure the success and traditions of Williamsville North Field Hockey continue long after she graduates later this year.

A legacy that every player should strive to leave.

On behalf of the entire team at WNY Athletics, I’d like to congratulate Lauren Rabinowitz on being named our Field Hockey Player of the Week and wish her the best of luck next year with the Pace University Setters.

Keep building that legacy.