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Coaches' Corner: Jody Sullivan

Wednesday, October, 31 By Alan Siegel
Staff writer

Jody Sullivan is a Haverhill institution.

For the past 21 years, she's coached the varsity field hockey team. For the past 14, she's been a police officer in town.

Sullivan, a Haverhill High (1980) and Springfield College graduate who's currently the school resource officer at Whittier Tech, caught up with us this week.

1. So how did you decide to become a police officer?
"My father (Robert, who's now 81) was a police officer in Haverhill. He encouraged me to take the civil service exam."

2. Did he have any reservations?
"I think he was a little leery. He said, 'You don't want do that.' He's seen what I've gone through. But he's used to it now."

3. There weren't too many female officers around at the time. How did your colleagues react?
"They kind of treat you like they're your big brother at first. If you went off on a call or made a motor vehicle stop, four cruisers would come up behind you. The (officers) would say 'I got this.' It was a comforting feeling."

4. Do you see any similarities between coaching and your police work?
"Absolutely. I have the privilege of having good kids on the field. I was a DARE officer for six years. I can see where kids can get in trouble. I can see where sports can help them."

5. Do you enjoy working in a town so familiar to you?
"Haverhill's busy. I grew up here. It's a comfort zone for me. I know the streets, who's who (in town). Being in schools, you see a lot of kids and families coming up through the ranks."

6. You played field hockey, softball and basketball at Haverhill High. How were girls sports different then? And did you look up to any athletes as a kid?
"There weren't a lot of female athletes at the time. Pudge Fisk was one of my heroes."

7. Has it been hard to watch Red Sox games on days you work late?
"You always have the radio in the car. It stinks when you can't catch a game, but now you can TiVo or DVR it. It's nice having that luxury."

8. Did you have a favorite moment from this season? "On Senior Night, one of our fathers (Scott Bennett, who is a paver), said, 'What if I could light up your field?' (The lights at Haverhill Stadium weren't working very well). He trucked in all his lights and lit up our home field. Then, we beat Lawrence."