LYNN – If you’ve taken in some Lynn Tech sporting events, you’ve probably seen John Hogan in his Tigers hoodie and ball cap.
“I’m a Lynn Tech sports fan,” Hogan said.
It’s really his down time. Hogan, who arrived at Tech in 1990, is a three-sport head coach of cross country, swimming, and winter track. He also teaches special education at the school.
“If I believe in something, I’m sticking with it and doing the best I can,” Hogan said.
When asked if he’s still having fun, Hogan laughed and couldn’t have said the word “yes” any faster.
“[It’s] giving back to the school and the kids, really,” Hogan, who hasn’t taken a sick day in nine years, said. “That’s what we focus on here at Lynn Tech.”
Speaking of things Hogan focuses on, very rarely do they revolve around himself. He says Lynn Tech has “800 or 1,000 of the best kids in the city,” and would do anything for them.
“It makes me excited to find new kids who come on and want to do well,” Hogan said. “They want to run, they want to be the champion, or whatever.”
“To find a kid who’s never played a sport, it makes me excited,” Hogan said.
Hogan values a strong attitude, work ethic, and effort from his students and athletes. As for what he does for them, his philosophy is simple.
“Be honest, be on time, and have fun,” Hogan said of his job descriptions. “Stay positive, also. That feeds to the kids.”
In the world of Lynn athletics, he’s done a lot. For example, he helped organize the Lynn All-City Cross Country Meet. When asked why, he, again, pointed to the student-athlete experience.
“Now they can say, ‘we’ve competed in a city meet,’” Hogan said. “It’s not for us – it’s for the kids.”
Even though Tech ran well in cross country this past fall, it’s not about the times. Hogan would rather his athletes compete with themselves, rather than against others.
“I don’t care about your times. How did you do?” Hogan said. “I don’t care if you had a bad day, tomorrow is going to be better.”
“Championships come and go, but you remind yourself it’s all about the kids,” Hogan said.
As a teacher, his responsibilities are more than letters and numbers. In his program, Hogan values “the little things” like how to take a bus, how to dress professionally, and how to apply for jobs.
“We have kids who never thought they could do it, then they do it,” Hogan said. “Now, they’re going to college.”
“Those are the things that get me up in the morning,” Hogan said.
Hogan said he couldn’t have done anything without the athletic directors, teachers, and assistant coaches who have been by side.
“You need to be around good people,” Hogan said. “They always ask – what do you need?”
As the seasons, and games, go on, you can bet you’ll see Hogan there.
“If I have one or two athletes out there playing a different sport, I’m going to support them,” Hogan said.
