Indian Creek Mourns the Loss of Beloved Coach Steve Willett

The Indian Creek School community is mourning the loss of long-time Varsity Girls Lacrosse Coach Steve Willett, who passed away November 20. Coach Willett was a part of the ICS community since 2010, leading the Eagles to multiple IAAM Championships, and impacting hundreds of our athletes lives for the better along the way.  He was a great leader, mentor, and close friend to our athletes and their families.
 
Indian Creek varsity players as well as many alumni came together on campus on Tuesday, November 23, to honor Coach Willett and share stories about the many ways in which he impacted their lives. Parker Booth '19 shared, "Coach Willett taught us to work hard, love hard, lead hard, and believe hard. As a coach, a mentor, a cheerleader, and supporter - he truly taught me what it means to be a strong leader. As for the sport of lacrosse, it is clear that he loved the sport, but even MORE clear that he loved the team and the people."  
 
This sentiment was prevalent among the Eagles Athletics community, as Director of Campus Programs Tyler Larkin explained, "Lacrosse was not a game for Coach Willett, it was a lifestyle and a family.  The effect Coach had on Indian Creek and the greater Anne Arundel County community of lacrosse players will live on for generations."
 
"Coach Willett was one of the most important people in my life, someone I considered family. He helped shape me into the person I am today and I am forever grateful I got to grow up having such a incredible person so close to me. I was so lucky to have him as my Godfather, friend, mentor and coach," shared ICS junior Molly Bunker.   
 
Megan Bunker '21, who Willett coached to a 10-7 victory in the IAAM C-Conference Championship last spring, summarized the feelings of generations of Eagles athletes: "Coach Willett had a special impact on every girl he has coached. The most important thing about Coach was that he didn’t just make his players into better lacrosse players, he made them into better people. The values he instilled in me and my teammates will stay with us for a lifetime. Every person that’s ever had to do 20s or yell “piperoski” after a shot had a unique special connection with him. These things I used to think were silly at practice, are the things that now bring a smile to my face when I remember the hilarious and meaningful memories they created. There’s nobody else I would have rather had as my teacher, Coach, and family. He was a once in a lifetime person and I’m so fortunate to have been able to build the bond with him I did."
 
Coach Willett gave countless hours and great dedication to the Eagles Athletics program during the spring and well into the off-season.  He was a special coach. He had a true gift for instilling confidence and teaching life lessons through the sport of lacrosse. Coach Willett not only leaves a legacy of on-field success, but more importantly his leadership has played a major role in shaping the lives of his players, preparing them to be successful off of the lacrosse field.
 
Indian Creek athletes will continue to honor Coach Willett throughout the spring athletics season. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks mourners to donate to the Steve Willett Lacrosse Crosse-Over Exchange Scholarship fund (P.O. Box 151, Arnold, MD 21012). 

Read more about Coach Steve Willett in this article from the Capital Gazette.
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Indian Creek school is a co-educational, college preparatory independent school, located in Crownsville, Maryland.  Students in Pre-K3 through grade 12 receive a vibrant educational experience based on excellent academics steeped in strong student-teacher connections.